The Game of Coaching

- The training is called 'The Game of Coaching: Introducing a New Paradigm' - Learning outcomes include: - Why you don't need a niche to become fully booked - Why you don't need social media to become fully booked - The focus should be on spending time inside conversations with potential clients

The Noise and Confusion in the Coaching Industry There is a lot of noise and confusion in the coaching industry, particularly around social media and niching. Many coaches struggle with not knowing their niche or not wanting to use social media, which hinders them from connecting with potential clients. This prevents them from making an impact on the world.

'Paradigm' Defined: Assumptions that Shape Reality "Paradigm" refers to a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that shape how we view reality as a community. Examples include self-image paradigms (e.g., thinking you're overweight), scientific paradigms (e.g., theory of evolution), and societal paradigms (e.g., traditional life trajectory). Paradigms can be useful but also limiting. In the coaching industry specifically, two dominant paradigms are causing harm: niche paradigm & social media paradigm. These limit coaches' ability to coach effectively by prioritizing having a niche or using social media over serving clients.

Many coaches spend a lot of time trying to find their niche and end up not finding a good one. This distracts them from fulfilling their soul's mission and serving those they came here to serve. Additionally, many coaches waste time on social media without getting results because they believe it is necessary for success.

Jay Abraham, a renowned marketer, shares the story of the roast beef to highlight how different industries can learn from each other. A man questions why his wife always chops off the ends of the roast beef before cooking it. His wife reveals that she learned this technique from her mother who did it out of necessity when they had a small oven and limited space.

"What's Not Working" highlights how people tend to follow others without questioning their actions. Just because everyone is doing something doesn't mean it's correct. Many business coaches simply repeat what they've been taught, leading to a cycle of misinformation and confusion. The speaker challenges the idea that finding a niche and using social media are essential for success in coaching.

A paradigm shift refers to a major change in worldview, concepts, and practices. It describes a profound change in the fundamental model or perception of events. Examples include the shift from Earth being the center of the universe to orbiting around the Sun, and realizing that success does not necessarily require a university degree (e.g., Steve Jobs). Paradigm shifts can also occur on an individual level, such as shifting from feeling stupid to recognizing one's intelligence. Coaching aims to create insight and facilitate paradigm shifts for clients.

"You don't need a niche to transform someone's life." The key is finding clients that you can serve and learning how to convert them into paying clients through conversations. Having a niche can be beneficial, but it's not necessary. Instead of spending time on niching exercises, coaching and noticing patterns will help you find your niche faster.

The Paradigm Shift: You Don't Need Social Media "You don't need social media to create clients or a website. What you really need is to engage in conversations with potential clients and know how to convert them into paying customers." This program will teach you how to become fully booked without relying on social media or websites.

"Conversations" as the Key Solution "No client was ever created outside of a conversation." Conversations are the foundation of creating clients, according to Stephen Chandler, co-author of 'The Prosperous Coach'. The diagram taught by mentor Greg Faxon further emphasizes the importance of engaging in meaningful conversations.

"No client was ever created outside of the conversation." Many coaches make the mistake of following a traditional pathway when starting their coaching business. They focus on finding their niche, creating a website and logo, and generating content. However, this approach can be time-consuming and may not lead to clients. The key is to prioritize getting inside conversations with potential clients as that's where clients are actually created.

Learn how to get inside conversations with potential clients and find the best approach for you. There are infinite ways to do this, so it's important to discover what works best for you. Instagram or other social media platforms may be effective, but it's crucial not to waste time on ineffective methods.

Finding a Niche To find a niche, it's important to focus on energetics and flow rather than forcing it. Coaching can help you discover your niche faster than any exercise. It's about exploring and allowing your niche to occur naturally. Sometimes, niches are found through unexpected opportunities or patterns that emerge from serving clients.

"Niche" is Not Fixed "Niche" is not fixed but rather a hypothesis that can evolve over time based on experience and feedback. It's essential to be open-minded and willing to adapt as you discover what works best for you in terms of client preferences, enjoyment, and results.

"Your niche is not set in stone, but rather a hypothesis that improves over time through coaching, serving, and market research. It evolves based on what works and doesn't work." Marketing is essentially testing your assumptions and hypotheses to refine your niche.

Niche when it's obvious or when you want to launch a group coaching program. Working with groups allows for scalability and leveraging time effectively. Niching is also beneficial when ready to scale and build an empire, as well as finding a starving crowd that has a sense of urgency. Positioning your business in front of a starving crowd increases the chances of success.

A niched coach and a non-niched coach have distinct differences. A life coach without a niche focuses on helping clients create new possibilities by asking powerful questions and being fully present. They don't require a specific area of expertise to bring about transformation. On the other hand, a mentor or teacher provides specialized training in a particular field, offering step-by-step guidance based on their own experience. While there is overlap between coaching and mentoring, understanding these distinctions can be valuable for professionals in various fields.

Not having a niche can be an advantage as it allows you to offer fully bespoke services. This personalized approach is more luxurious, expensive, and desirable than off-the-rack options. During sales conversations, ask questions to understand the client's needs and create tailor-made programs for them. Being selective in your offerings and providing a personalized experience enables you to charge more and deliver greater value.

"Niches Make More Money" is a common belief, but it depends on the individual. You can charge as much as niche coaches or life coaches without a niche by understanding the client's goals. In sales conversations, finding deep desires and convincing them that you are their solution allows for limitless pricing. Another approach is to target wealthy clients who pay more for services. Having a niche offers potential scaling opportunities through group coaching programs with higher prices.

You can benefit from both niche knowledge and non-niche work at the same time. By having one-on-one clients and a niche program, you can enjoy scaling your business while still serving individuals personally. It's important not to rush into niching before you're ready; instead, play around with ideas and look for patterns that resonate with you. Once you find your niche, the universe will start sending people in that direction.

Being Open to One-on-One Clients Even if you have a niche, be open to the possibility of working with one-on-one clients who don't fit into your niche but with whom you feel a connection. The most important factor is the magic and alignment you feel with them.

"Breaking" Niche Rules "Don't be limited by your niche." If there's magic and alignment, it's okay to work with anyone, even if they don't fall within your defined niche. By being more open-minded, you may discover a new and better-aligned niche.

Talking About What You Do Without a Niche Explaining what you do when you don't have a specific target audience can be challenging. This topic will be covered in detail later in the program.

When someone asks you what you do and you don't have a niche, it can be challenging to explain. One approach is to say that your work is highly specific and specialized, requiring different definitions for each client case study. Another option is to share stories or case studies of clients who have benefited from your coaching. By sharing these stories, people get a glimpse of the transformational magic you provide. Additionally, if appropriate, invite them for a free session or ask if they'd like to experience it firsthand.

Social media can be used as a tool to stay connected and engaged with your audience. However, it should not be used as a way to avoid important conversations with potential clients. As long as you are meeting your weekly conversation goals, you have the freedom to use social media in whatever way works best for you. It can be a powerful asset if utilized effectively and if there is good engagement from your audience.

To become fully booked, focus on having conversations with potential clients. It doesn't matter if you niche down or use social media. The key is finding the best way for you to connect with potential clients.