From Magical Thinking to Strategic Planning: My Unfiltered Take on Discernment for Entrepreneurs
Uncomfortable truths and important lessons
I have learned over and over that being stubbornly self-sufficient is not sustainable and can hinder success.
As a female solopreneur, I've come to understand that harnessing the power of accountability is crucial for the success of any coaching business. I created my signature framework to provide guidance, support and accountability to my clients. As I look back on the clients I have served in the last couple of years, I’ve come to the conclusion that I over-delivered on guidance and support but could have done more to help my clients with implementation. This realization led me to the crucial decision to completely redesign my coaching program, The BossUp Breakthrough.
I am now focused on streamlining, simplifying, and emphasizing applied learning in order to best serve my clients. In this blog post, I'll share some uncomfortable truths and important lessons I've learned, and how I plan to apply these insights to my coaching business in 2024.
The Uncomfortable Truths:
More is Not Always Better
The lesson that more is not always better became evident to me when I initially embraced generative AI for content creation. While this approach did increase output, I found that the quality was not necessarily better. This prompted me to use AI more discerningly and selectively, recognizing the value of authenticity and genuine value in my content, and embracing the motto "less, but better" for my business in 2024.
The Importance of Planning
Failing to plan is equivalent to planning to fail. This harsh truth became apparent to me after experiencing unexpected personal and health crises in 2023. Solopreneurs, like myself, often excel at helping their clients with strategic planning but struggle with planning for their own businesses. Thus, I've resolved to focus on meticulous planning which allows me to spend more time working in my zone of genius.
The Difference Between Options and Opportunities
I came to a realization about the seductiveness of being pitched by influential figures, only to later understand that the value of options can be overestimated. I now emphasize the importance of discernment, aligning opportunities with values and goals, and better managing my expectations. This has led me to experience greater caution against FOMO and magical thinking and to be more selective in my business engagements. It starts by pumping the brakes and taking more time to consider options, rather than impulsively saying yes.
Recognizing When I Need Help & Allowing Myself to Receive
I tend to be wired to expect to do everything myself, but I have learned over and over that being stubbornly self-sufficient is not sustainable and can hinder success. Embracing the reality that others can do certain things better and faster than I can has proven to be a gift, and I'm making a conscious effort to recognize this and focus on my strengths, combined with hiring experts in the areas I am not so skilled.
Applying these Lessons:
In 2024, I'm determined to say no to more opportunities, create better content, and plan at least one quarter ahead. Being more prepared will not only help my business be more strategic and sustainable but also reduce the risk of burnout. Additionally, I am focusing on working more in my zone of genius, seeking help when needed, and practicing the art of discernment when it comes to business opportunities.
Do you resonate with any of these uncomfortable truths? How do you plan to apply these insights to your own entrepreneurial journey in 2024?
Feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram @coachdiannwingert or send me an email at diann@diannwingertcoaching.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you'd like to hear the full episode on The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, you can do that here: https://bit.ly/thedrivenwomanpodcast