(and why it often takes longer than we think)
I’ve seen it again and again — talented, capable, driven professionals who could absolutely benefit from coaching… but only reach out after months (sometimes years) of struggling alone.
It’s not that they don’t value growth. It’s that the journey to actually hiring a coach often looks a lot like this:
1. “I’m sure this will sort itself out.”
At the start, there’s the belief that clarity will come naturally. “I just need to push through… things will get better.”
2. “I’ll avoid what’s triggering me.”
Rather than tackling the root cause, you sidestep the situations that feel uncomfortable. The meeting you dread—the conversation you postponed.
3. “This is starting to impact me.”
The challenge isn’t going away — it’s spreading into your work, relationships, and energy levels.
4. “I’ll just try harder to control things.”
You double down on effort and structure, hoping that being more disciplined will be enough. Spoiler: it often isn’t.
5. “It’s getting worse.”
Performance dips. Confidence slips. Stress becomes a constant background noise.
6. “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
You notice you’re reacting differently, losing patience, or doubting your abilities in ways you never used to.
7. “I can’t do this on my own.”
Your usual go-to strategies and support network — friends, colleagues, mentors — aren’t shifting the needle.
8. “People around me are worried.”
Someone you trust says, “I’ve noticed you’re not yourself. What’s going on?” And you can’t brush it off anymore.
9. “I need help.”
You realise you don’t just want to ‘cope’ — you want to thrive. And you can’t get there alone.
10. Coach Booked.
You finally decide to invest in yourself. Not because you’re failing — but because you’re ready to accelerate, get unstuck, and grow in a way that’s sustainable.
Here’s the truth: A coach isn’t there to “fix” you. You don’t have to wait until you’re on step 9 to reach out. Coaching is about creating the clarity, mindset, and strategies you need before burnout, loss of confidence, or missed opportunities pile up.
If any of these steps sound familiar, maybe you’re closer to step 10 than you think. My door is always open for a conversation — no commitment, just curiosity: https://calendly.com/beatrice_redi/discovery-call
