Now What?® Coaching

Category: Following Your Passion

  • The September Advantage: Get On The Bus

    The September Advantage: Get On The Bus

    Another summer is in the books! I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend. . .

    Because now it’s time to go back to school.

    Whether you’re growing a coaching practice or searching for your next big role, the pace likely slowed down this summer, and let’s be honest, so did the income. Not for everyone, but if you’re looking at your bottom line and feeling anxious, you’re not alone. I heard from many clients that things were slow.

    I know the headlines aren’t exactly comforting right now. The economy feels shaky, the job market is awry, and you might be wondering where the heck we’re headed.

    But here’s what I want you to remember:​
    The lull of the past few months was seasonal.
    A summer slowdown happens every year.

    Right now, you have a major advantage, if you’re willing to take it.

    Specifically, I call it the September advantage – that unique burst of collective energy that comes with a fresh start. You just had time to rest (even a little). Now you’ve got a clear runway ahead . . . until the holidays hit.

    Presently, we have two solid months to make some serious progress, so treat this like your own personal breakthrough semester and plan to ace it.

    Even if you weren’t the kid who looked forward to a new school year, think back to the last time you started something new and exciting with a beginner’s mindset, such as trying out a new fitness class or exploring a new country for the first time.

    Clear your desk. Buy yourself a few office supplies – some nice pens, a new journal, a fall-scented candle – and put on your thinking cap.

    Just like students reviewing their new syllabi, I want you to take a look at your work through fresh eyes:​
    ​What do you want to learn?
    How do you want to grow?​
    ​What skill, system, or shortfall needs your attention?​
    ​What’s one area you know you’ve been avoiding that could change everything if you focused on it now?

    Maybe you need to practice your sales conversations to improve your conversions, or streamline your systems and optimize operations. Perhaps you should be working on deepening your relationships, or finally showing up for the visibility you’ve been avoiding.

    It’s time to tap into that back-to-school energy. The holidays will be here before you know it.

    Pick ONE specific thing that’s been lagging. Then give it everything you’ve got with a deadline of Halloween.

    Don’t wait for Q4. ​
    ​Don’t tell yourself it’s too late for this year.​
    ​Don’t let the doomsdayers break your spirit.

    The bus is here. The door is closing. This is your moment to jump on.

  • Start So You Can Finish

    Start So You Can Finish

    I’m in the midst of witnessing one of my favorite things about my job right now.
    It’s nothing new; I see it all the time, but it never gets old.

    I’m observing the beginning – the start of something good.
    And it makes me crave more – more beginnings, more emergence, more movement.

    Because the opposite is tough to watch. As a coach, I don’t want to see failure to launch.

    People come to me looking for answers (and a kick in the pants).
    But they think they need to figure everything out before taking the first step.

    “I just need to make a plan.”
    “I’m not sure if now is the right time.”
    “I want to be certain before I do anything.”

    Sound familiar? These are tell-tale signs of being stuck.

    I’ve been at this for decades, and I can say with confidence the thing keeping most people stuck isn’t a lack of ideas, skills, talent, or know-how.

    It’s the belief that you need to know it all before you start.

    But here’s the truth that surprises almost everyone:
    You won’t find certainty before you start. And you don’t need it, because…
    Starting creates certainty.

    Getting started is the only thing that brings certainty – or anything else for that matter – into being.

    One of my clients was struggling with uncertainty a few weeks ago and feeling stuck, stuck, stuck!
    She had a brilliant idea and great instincts, but little confidence that she could pull it off.
    She was overthinking every detail, caught in a loop, hesitant to hire me, unsure if she was ready.

    Fortunately, she decided to take the leap.
    In just three and a half weeks, she’s gone from paralyzed to productive.
    She has systems, a marketing plan, materials in place, and her first client just about ready to sign.

    What changed?
    She started.
    She didn’t gain confidence, and then take action.
    She took action, and the confidence sprang from doing.

    Start So You Can Finish by Laura Berman FortgangYou may think I’m oversimplifying this, but here’s what I want you to consider—
    Overthinking is a very sneaky form of self-sabotage.
    It feels like you’re doing something. It tricks you into thinking you’re being smart, sensible, and shrewd.
    But it’s     really just hesitation dressed up as productivity.

    Hesitation keeps you safe, comfortable . . . and stuck.
    Action gets you moving, even if it’s messy.
    Once you’re in motion, everything starts to shift.

    Opportunities pop up.
    Momentum kicks in.
    Things begin to align and unfold even better than you could’ve planned.
    Planning takes on new meaning as your foundation takes shape.

    You can’t reach a destination – a successful business, a dream career, or any significant transformation – without starting first.

    Progress moves faster than you think. But the path you’re imagining isn’t clear until you take that first step. Certainty shows up when you start walking.

    Consider this permission, as well as a gentle push, from someone who’s been there, done that, and helped countless others hop over the fence and find their way.

    You don’t need to be sure. You need to be brave.
    Be willing to try, get it wrong, and start again.

    It gets easier every time. There’s a divine order in motion, but to tap into the path to success, you first have to get started.

    Let’s go!

  • Go from side hustle to full-time – the smart way

    Go from side hustle to full-time – the smart way

    There’s something incredibly powerful about creating your own opportunities. Being your own boss means you get to control your destiny, and that’s a beautiful thing.

    But don’t let anyone fool you into thinking it’s easy. And don’t fool yourself into thinking your part-time business will be easier if you just quit your job and go all-in.

    Whether you’re dreaming about breaking free from a toxic workplace or turning your side hustle into a full-time career, there’s one truth you need to hear: Freedom is harder than you think.

    Go from side hustle to full-time - the smart wayLately, I’ve been working with a client who’s doing a fantastic job preparing for the leap from side hustle to full-time business. She’s not there yet, but she’s building the foundation, and I want to share some practical tips based on what she’s doing right in case you’re ready to take that path too.

    =================================
    Tip #1:     Don’t quit your day job without a plan.
    Unless you’ve got at least six months to a year’s worth (preferably more!) of living expenses saved up, you need a crossover strategy. This client works a full-time job that has nothing to do with her side hustle, but she’s making it work. Nights and weekends. Testing her offer. Building proof. She has paying clients, testimonials, and, most importantly, market validation. That’s where it starts.

    Tip #2: A cash cushion can save your tush.
    You need to save up 6–12 months of expenses. Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, and your peace of mind will depend on having a financial buffer.

    Tip #3: Bide your time if you can.
    If it’s possible to negotiate a shift from full-time to part-time in your current job, do it. Having more time for your business, while bringing in a steady paycheck, means less stress. If that’s not an option, look for a bridge job that gives you flexibility while you grow. You can always do gig work if you need to get scrappy, but I’ve noticed that maintaining a part-time regular paycheck is often ideal.

    Tip #4: Start building systems now.
    Don’t wait for some day when everything’s perfect. Document what you do and create processes as early as possible. When you’re ready to bring in help, whether it’s a VA, contractor, or generous spouse, you don’t want everything living in your brain.

    Tip #5: Manage your mindset.
    When it’s time to take the leap, making that shift is a big deal. Don’t underestimate the transition period. This is where you learn how to motivate yourself without a boss breathing down your neck. You’ll need to prepare your mind and stay grounded. No clock to punch. No one telling you what to do. Just you, your goals, and your grit.

    Tip #6: Don’t inflate your lifestyle too soon.
    Keep your personal expenses to a minimum while you build. You don’t have to eat rice and beans (unless you want to) or fall into a stark scarcity mindset, but be smart about spending. Don’t get ahead of yourself, even if business revenue starts flowing in. Your best months can be followed by crickets; that’s the way it goes sometimes.
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    One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is watching clients build a successful business that supports their dream of freedom because they did it the right way…

    I’ve also seen talented people crash and burn because they followed some internet guru who sold them the fantasy without the plan.

    That’s not what we do here.
    We get real. We get strategic. We build something solid.

    The best time to start? Five years ago.
    The second-best time? Right now.

    If you’ve got a side hustle and you’re ready to go full-time, don’t wing it – build it!

    I’m cheering you on.

  • Grace Under Fire (When the Pressure’s On)

    Grace Under Fire (When the Pressure’s On)

    Lately, I’ve been having a familiar conversation with clients over and over again.

    They’re stepping into new roles, new markets, and new strategies, and they’re feeling the heat.

    They’re hopping on sales calls for the first time, making high-stakes presentations, testing new offers, and launching new things – all in this wildly unpredictable world.

    The pressure is real.

    The truth is, we’re not operating in the same reality we were a year ago. The job market has shifted. Business as usual is gone. With AI disruption, chaotic leadership, and a volatile economy, the ground keeps moving under our feet.

    We have to approach our work – and ourselves – differently to meet the moment, and do it with grace under fire.

    Trying something new always comes with risk. The offer could flop, the meeting could go sideways, and the prospect, on the verge of signing that big contract you poured everything into, could ghost you.

    But avoiding that risk by playing it safe keeps you stuck. Cozy, sure. But stuck.

    While we know the biggest wins come from stepping up and making bold moves, fear can still hijack the system. It’s human. The moment something gets hot, we pull back,  panic, overthink, and we shut down.

    Here’s what I tell my clients:

    When the pressure’s on, pause.
    Breathe. Calm your nervous system. Get out of fight-or-flight mode so you can think clearly.

    Then, assess your reality.
    What’s real, and what’s just fear talking? Are you reacting to facts, or to a story you’re telling yourself?

    Next, check your intentions.
    Are you staying on mission, or veering off course because you’re uncomfortable? Stick with your purpose. That’s where the power is.

    Finally, act with focus.
    Not perfection. Focus. What’s the next right move, not the flawless one? Do that.

    Grace under fire doesn’t mean you’re emotionless. It means you’re purposeful. It means you lead with intention, even when the heat is on.

    And yes – people are watching. In high-pressure moments, your response matters. It defines outcomes, shapes reputations, and opens (or closes) doors.

    Here’s my challenge to you: The next time the pressure builds, pause. Breathe. Choose what’s next with clarity.

  • Why is Everyone Acting Like Nothing’s Happening?

    Why is Everyone Acting Like Nothing’s Happening?

    Why is everyone acting like nothing’s happening?

    Let me guess: You’ve been wondering the same thing. I’m beginning to think I should add this to my FAQs.

    My clients, colleagues, and friends are looking around at the world – headlines filled with war, rollbacks on rights, disorienting shifts in leadership, and everyday tragedies – and wondering how they’re supposed to just go on . . . like, business as usual.

    They’re grieving. They’re angry. They feel powerless.

    If that sounds like you, you’re not crazy. It is surreal. Our identities, our sense of freedom and justice, the progress and safety many of us thought were secure – it’s all being shaken. Meanwhile, life doesn’t stop. There are bills to pay, kids to raise, goals to meet, and dreams that still matter.

    How do you live, work, and lead through times like this?

    Here’s my answer: You learn to be of two minds.

    You can feel heartbreak and joy. Despair and laughter. Being of two minds isn’t denial; it’s integration. It’s what allows us to stay human, even when the world feels inhumane.

    Here’s how to start:

    1. Practice full presence. Step away from the chaos and drop into a moment: Your breath, gazing up at the leaves on a tree, the sound of laughter. That’s what keeps you grounded.
    2. Limit your exposure. Stay informed, but constant news and social media will fry your nervous system. Give yourself windows of peace and distraction.
    3. Make meaning. Host a dinner. Hug your friend. Take your elderly neighbor a plate of food. Reconnect with what reminds you of who you are.
    4. Take action. Write to your reps. Volunteer. Give to communities on the front lines. Start where you are. Do what you can.

    As a coach (and an interfaith minister), I help clients hold both — the pain and the possibility. My job isn’t to fix the world. It’s to help you navigate it, to see things from new angles, to shift your inner narrative, and to create a plan that honors what matters to you most. Then, perhaps, we fix it, one person at a time.

    You can’t ignore grief, but you also don’t have to drown in it. There is a way forward. You deserve to find joy, even now.

  • Perfectionism: The Smart Person’s Trap

    Perfectionism: The Smart Person’s Trap

    Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot from clients who are wrestling with perfectionism. Some of them don’t even realize it’s at the root of what’s draining them. If you’ve ever felt like you need everything to be flawless to feel okay, welcome to the club.

    Here’s what I’ve learned over decades of coaching (and living) — Perfectionism is the ultimate lack of self-acceptance.

    It’s an inner need to have the outside world confirm that we’re “perfect” so we can feel worthy.

    Some might disagree with that definition, but in my experience, it holds up.

    Here’s the real kicker:

    Perfectionism works – at first! It gets you promotions, accolades, and a reputation for excellence. People admire your dedication and drive. You’re often the smartest person in the room.

    But it also takes a toll. Living with perfectionism is like staging a one-person Broadway production every single day – lights, camera, costume changes. Exhausting. Plus, you become your own harshest critic, way tougher than anyone else could be.

    Eventually, the show can’t go on. It’ll either fizzle out to disappointing reviews, or burnout, stress, and anxiety will become the perfectionist’s final bow.

    You’ll think you’ve lost your edge, but you’re actually on the verge of healing.

    If your high standards cause you to suffer, they’re too high. I know that might be a shocker. After all, those standards have become your identity, your validation, your way of being. But ask yourself: Is it worth the price?

    What is perfectionism costing me emotionally?
    What is it doing to my relationships?
    How is it affecting the work I care about most?

    If aiming for perfection is getting you rave reviews all around (especially from that human being in the mirror), keep it up.

    But if you’ve built a beautiful prison, brick by brick – outwardly impressive, inwardly miserable – it’s time to start dismantling it.

    Practice letting go. Let people screw up, let things be flawed, let the picture hang crooked on the wall. Feel the discomfort, and let it ride.

    What might happen if you let “good enough” be enough? Consider this: Perfectionism might actually be holding you back by slowing you down, keeping you small, making you harder to work with.

    If your pursuit of excellence is working, great. But if it’s making you miserable, it’s time to break out of the trap. Where can you loosen the lock, open the door, and let in some fresh air?