3 Common Business Blocks and How To Avoid Them

What separates coaching practices that are doing ok from those that are thriving?

I’ve seen three common blocks that keep coaching practices stuck on the "good, not great" plateau: The comfort zone, talent/team, and timing. 

Let’s break those down. 

The Comfort Zone

We’ve all heard “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” And while that seems like good advice it’s probably holding you back.

Once a business gets into a comfort zone it’s hard to leave. When it’s making enough money to be profitable and takes the standard 40-50 hours to run in a week, business owners hit a mental block. It seems like this is as good as it gets, so why bother changing things? That’s the siren song of the comfort zone: settle. 

Want to break that spell? Get comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable (temporarily). The truth is all businesses have growth potential, even really solid ones. Even if your business is performing well you can always make more, get more clients, and even get more time for yourself!

How to leave Comfort Zone

Before you leave your comfort zone, take stock of your current business plan.  

What is working? Be specific!

Everything that is contributing to your business's success should be documented. Next, identify what could work even better. This is where the magic happens. Sometimes this will be a very small variant, but tweaking it just right can make a huge impact. 

As you prepare a new business plan, try to put aside some resources and time for the transitional period. Growing comes with pains, so be prepared for slight turbulence as you ascend to the next level in your business.

And if you're working with a team or partners, don't forget to communicate! This is crucial to be transparent with your team and/or business partners. Everyone feels safe in a comfort zone, so leaving it will feel daunting. Avoid this anxiety by communicating clearly and establishing a specific plan so your team feels at ease with the transition. 

Your Team and Talent

If you want to thrive, you need to surround yourself with the right team and talent. 

You owe it to yourself to operate your business at its maximum potential. That means being ambitious. Challenge yourself and your team to reach higher. 

A common theme I see with “good not great” businesses is a fair amount of hand holding. This means while the team and business are performing well, the business leader still feels an immense pressure to be highly involved on most levels. Moving your business to the next level means you need more time to dedicate to your goals and actualizing your ideal business. Delegation is key. 

How to Improve your Team

Delegation of duties will allow you more time for high-impact tasks. The team will get more responsibility, but also more opportunity to contribute to the business’s success. If this hand-off of duties feels daunting or you’re doubting your team’s ability, it’s time to talk about talent. Your team should elevate your business, not just keep it operational. 

Train your team to be more autonomous and critical thinking, or invest in talent that brings these skills to the business.

One-on-Ones and modified peer reviews are a great opportunity to work together and build those critical thinking skills. Invest in your team by working with them to nurture their progress. Have frequent check-ins and discussions about aligning their wants with your expectations. Build a solid foundation that you can build your dream team on. 

Change Your Attitude Toward Timing

I often hear excuses of “it’s not the right time” or “we’re waiting for things to settle before making a move.” But the truth is that the “right time” doesn’t exist! And that means the time to make changes to improve your business is now.  

If you keep waiting for "the right time", you will likely miss your opportunity to act.

Every growth opportunity comes with risk. If you’re looking for a zero-risk situation, you won’t grow. A business leader must have the confidence in their ability to separate the "smart" risks from the "dumb" risks and have the gumption to take action.

If you’re nervous about taking action, get to the root of that feeling.

Why exactly are you afraid to grow? Are you worried that change will disrupt the good thing you’ve built or you’ll become overwhelmed?

Whatever the reason is, remember you are your own worst critic. Even if things dip, you’ve proven you have the talent to run a successful business. Examine the deeper meaning behind your hesitation and work through it. Debunk your unrealistic anxiety and remind yourself even if things change, you have resources and a team to support you through it. 

The Bottom Line

It’s hard to leave your comfort zone and make changes to your business when things are good. 

But remember, there’s always potential for more. Make more money, get more clients, make a bigger difference, and even strike a better work/life balance.

All it requires is for you to take action.

You can do it.