4: How to Feel Less Isolated in Your Coaching Business

There are so many upsides to having your own business. But the biggest downside to operating as a solopreneur is that you're ... well, solo.That is, unless you do something intentional to change that. And I'm hoping that after this podcast you will take some action so you don't feel lonely in your business.Being an entrepreneur is different than any job you've ever had. At first you're slogging through tasks without a team, a sounding board or even a water cooler connection.Soon, you will have a steady flow of coaching clients and that will energize you.But as you're building to that, the isolation you're experiencing now not only feels bad, but it also isn't good for you.Isolation is a contracting force. The longer you go without support, the more your momentum is quashed. It might have you questioning your decision to become a coach.And, prolonged loneliness can turn into depression.Look, everyone feels like this at first. But don't ignore it. Take some conscious actions until you feel sustainable relief.It's time to reach out.Community is the solution and you have choices.When I emerged as a life coach in 1998, I immediately joined the Denver chapter of the ICF. That helped a lot. It's especially meaningful to be in the company of other coaches.Now if you're not near a city with an ICF chapter, join some Facebook or LinkedIn groups.Think about it. What professional groups of peers could you join?Peers will keep you inspired.Once you've joined a bigger group, take it a step further by creating or joining a smaller sub-group of peers. Keep your eye out for kindred spirits. Reach out to people you connect to energetically or philosophically.You could even form a support group with some or all of the coaches you trained with.I'm an introvert, so while the professional groups were helpful, I knew I needed a more intimate group. So, I co-created a peer community with 5 other local new coaches. We kept each other on a professional path, laughed and learned in a co-facilitated arrangement.Mostly it was a social scene — a potluck and some wine plus a discussion topic.For a while we studied a business book together — still a favorite of mine — called The Power Path: The Shaman's Way to Success in Business and Life by Lena & Jose Stevens. Once or twice we played Robert Kiyosaki's Cash Flow board game.I know this for sure ... if I hadn't had that group, I would have given up on my coaching business.If you do start your own group you'll be able to set the ground rules and the tone of the group. You can pass the leadership role around. The idea is to be equals and help each other.One of my clients told me recently that she joined a Meetup group but stopped going because the coaches weren't being real. Everyone acted as if they didn't need anyone else to succeed.Well, success largely comes from helping hands.And here's the thing ... if you've chosen a smart coaching niche to stand out in the crowd, you won't have to compete. Instead you can be generous and refer ideal clients to each other.Imagine how much more enjoyable that would be than having to pretend to be an island.So let's be good to each other! It's a fellowship.By the way ... I'll be talking in my next series all about choosing a smart and narrow niche.Subscribe to this podcast so you'll hear about the Smart and Profitable Niche series. You can do that where you'll find the show notes for this episode at prosperouscoach.com/4.As Seth Godin recommend in his latest book — This is Marketing — you want to choose the smallest viable market for your business. (Find more Show Notes here.)