Now What?® Coaching

from Laura Berman Fortgang

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When Life Gets in the Way, What’s Your Plan?

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I don’t have to tell you that sometimes life gets in the way; we’ve all experienced it.

We get sick, have an accident, face a disappointment, deal with a busted hot water heater — you name it! Life can be unpleasant or inconvenient.

Every time, life gets in the way — if you let it!

Last week, I held a big launch event for my business, which you may have noticed. But what you couldn’t have known was that life got in the way, right in the middle of the launch.

There I was, all set to present a 3-day Masterclass I’d been planning for weeks, ready to share my proven Headliner Method for catapulting a coaching business. People were fired up and ready to learn.

And then I had to take my kid to the ER!

Thankfully, he’s A-OK, and that’s what’s most important! But I’m also grateful I had the support system and fortitude to pull off the event without a hitch.

As a coach, I would be remiss not to turn this ordeal into a learning experience for you, so consider this a reminder.
1.   Life gets in the way.                                                                                                                                                                                          2.   You should always have a backup plan in place.

I realize this is easier for some people than others (psst: if you tend to do everything yourself and hate asking for help, I’m talking to you.) But the reality is, you have to figure it out.

Anything can happen at any time. Why let a bout of food poisoning, a crashing laptop, or a traffic jam on your way home from the airport derail your business?

When life gets in the way, the show must go on.

If you’ve neglected to build a support system, who will help to keep things on track?

If you’re not mentally prepared to handle a crisis, how will you keep rolling?

You need the will and a way.

I know you’re up to big things — building a business, changing careers, growing your family, pursuing dreams — and I want you to be able to carry on.

I encourage you to give this some thought and urge you to make it a priority.

Why Humility is Bad for Business

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A conversation that keeps coming up with clients lately is money guilt. This is always a thing, but the wonky uncertainty in the economy is really getting to people.

Whether they’re asking for a raise, quoting a potential client, or considering raising their prices, they hit a wall – not because the numbers don’t make sense, but because guilt gets in the way.

Here’s what I tell them:
If you’ve ever avoided asking for more because you felt bad, it’s not really about money. It’s about self-worth. You have to keep the fact that you provide value front and center and ahead of your concerns about other people’s wallets, which is based on an assumption.

Why Humility is Bad for Business by Laura Berman FortgangBut I get it. Sometimes this is easier said than done.

When clients get stuck on the guilt train, I walk them through a simple 3-step process to shift their mindset:

Calculate your true costs.
Not just your billable time – Everything. What does it take to run your business, stay trained, and deliver excellent work? You’re not being greedy. You’re covering your investment and deserve a return.

List your contributions.
What results do you create? What problems do you solve? What value do you add? Get specific. If you’re a coach, what transformation are you making possible? If you’re in-house, what success do you make easier?

Reframe the conversation.
It’s not about “Can I ask for this much?” It’s about “Here’s what you gain when you hire me.”
One client of mine was charging $500 for work that saved her clients $5,000 in avoidable mistakes. Once she saw that clearly, the guilt disappeared, and I was finally able to help her align her pricing with her impact.

Here’s the truth: Undercharging isn’t noble. It leads to resentment, burnout, and half-hearted effort. This kind of sacrifice never pays off the way you think it will. Nobody wins.

Take time this week to write down the actual wins you help make happen. Strip the guilt. Look at the facts.

Reply below and tell me: What’s one powerful contribution you make? Let’s name it and celebrate it.

You provide great value. It’s time to charge like it.

Why is Everyone Acting Like Nothing’s Happening?

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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

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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?

Are You Multi-Passionate?

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If you consider yourself multi-passionate or know someone who does, you’re going to want to read this.

At face value, “multi-passionate” sounds like a wonderful trait to have. What could be wrong with having lots of passions – many different interests that you consider fun and exciting? The more, the merrier, right?

Not exactly . . .

As fun as it sounds to have lots of passions, many of my clients and the people I speak to every day are overwhelmed by their multi-passionate outlook.

They have a myriad of interests that don’t fit in one neat box and a mixed bag of talent, experience, and abilities that open up a world of opportunities.

Ahh . . . the possibilities!

Being multi-passionate means your path isn’t straight or narrow; it’s one filled with options, alternatives, and potential. Sounds great!

But it also means you can get lost in the twists and turns.

Here’s what I recommend:

  1. Audit your interests.
    What brings you joy? Where are you most skilled? What’s the required time commitment? What’s the income potential?
  2. Consider the bigger picture.
    What aligns best with your core values? Does this option fit into this season of your life?
  3. Find the congruencies.
    Can you integrate one interest with another? How can you infuse creativity into what you’re already doing? How can you use talents and skills in different ways?
  4. Commit mindfully.
    How will you juggle everything? Do you have the time? Do you need new skills or support to handle things efficiently? How will this impact your bottom line?
  5. Find your pace.
    What’s primary and secondary, and how will you allocate your limited resources? What boundaries do you need to establish?             

You can thrive in a multi-passionate career and life. I do it and have coached many to do so successfully.

But if you’re not intentional about it, multi-passions can become nothing but distractions. You can’t allow yourself to get too scattered or spread all over the place.

Success requires focus – in the moment, on one passion at a time.

How to Recession-Proof Your Business

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One of the best things about being in business for yourself is that you’re the one in charge. But it’s also one of the hardest things about it. When things get tough, the buck stops with you!

Well, I’m no economist, but last year’s whispers of a looming recession are turning into shouts lately.

Some of my clients and colleagues are starting to panic (“I hear ya!”). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and throw up our hands in defeat. Remember, you’re in charge, which means you have options.

It’s time to start recession-proofing your business. Here’s what I recommend:

Diversify your portfolio.

Just like your financial advisor would tell you to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, I’m telling you to add some variety to what you offer.

What can you do to make your services more accessible?
How can you bring clients in at different price points?
Where can you add new revenue streams?

Retain the clients you have.

Excellent customer service should always be a pressing matter, but now more than ever, do what it takes to keep your current clients happy! Think of creative ways to add loyalty perks for staying on board, such as bonus one-on-one time or retainer discounts for paying ahead. Retaining a client is cheaper and easier than attracting a new one in any economy.

Enhance your value proposition.

Make sure prospects know you’re worth the investment. What kinds of returns will they get from working with you? The results you deliver should make the kind of impact they would regret missing out on.

Keep up with your marketing.

If you’re looking for things to cut out of the budget, put marketing near the bottom of the list. Staying top of mind should be a top priority. Switch up your messaging to meet the moment if necessary, but don’t you dare go quiet. Stay out there, and stay consistent.

Upgrade your skills.

The key is to stay relevant, to stay nimble, and to pivot if you have to. Be smart about it, but focus on how you can best add value right now, and how you can make your business more profitable. Do you need to learn new technology or a new method?

Streamline your operations.

What things are nice to have, and what’s a necessity? How can you make your business run more efficiently (truly)? Be mindful and strategic about cutting costs and eliminating time sucks.

Most importantly, stand in your power! Lean into your strengths and gifts. People may be discerning about where they spend their money, but they need you. Remember that.

We’ll get through this!