Do you remember the first time you drove a car or the last time you started a new job? Can you picture it? Did you have butterflies in your stomach? Did you have any anxiety or wonder if you were going to survive the “first?” Now recall that moment when everything changed. You drove the car or you started a new job. From that place you are forever a different person because you tried something different or new! That is the place I’m coming from today as I write this newsletter.
It was one year ago this month that I started my Financial Coaching practice. I had just completed Financial Coach Master Training through Ramsey Solutions and was doing all the tactical things to get my business up and running. This included things like business licensing, logo creation, business planning, budgeting, opening business banking accounts and registering with the Secretary of State.
I worked diligently to reach out to people I knew to let them know that I was serving in my newly recognized purpose in helping people with their behaviors around money. Sure, I can help people write a budget and pay off debt, but most of the time there are habits, beliefs or behaviors that get in the way of them reaching their financial goals. I also had over 150 people reach out from Dave Ramsey’s website and expressed an interest in talking to a financial coach in Spokane, Boise, Portland, or Seattle. Since then, I’ve had the honor of working with clients who are in different places along their journey. We work together to help them get in control of their habits and behaviors surrounding their money which can ultimately lead to a whole new level of freedom and opportunity. This is indeed rewarding work!
Doing the tactical things to set up and start coaching was the easy part. Over the past year I have embraced many opportunities for personal and professional development. I’ve hired a coach to help me identify my possibilities for greatness. I also have at least four professional development calls a month with other financial coaches around the country. Being a coach and being coached are two totally different things. Yet, my experience of being coached by my personal coach and my colleague coaches has enlightened me to how people may struggle with being vulnerable, especially when reaching out to me for the first time.
I’m so glad to report that this, just like driving a car for the first time was a huge leap of faith and it continues to allow me to serve people in a meaningful way. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do this work every day. I’m also grateful for my partner in life, Kent who has supported me every step of the way.
A peak into the future…
As I step into my second year of financial coaching, I will be making some adjustments to my practice. I will be working closely with some other great local coaches with different specialties. I will continue nurturing relationships with the amazing Preferred Providers that are serving my clients and others, and I will be offering workshops about financial literacy to organizations and their teams. The pandemic has been difficult for many, not just financially but personally. My goal is to create a space for more connection, learning and growth. Those are my business values. You don’t have to wait though. We can connect as early as next week!
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