I wasn’t going to have a word of the year.
Last year it was joy, because I’d been writing about it, and I wanted more of it. I wrote a post about it early last year, and forgot to do an update, even though I did find plenty of joy – particularly in singing and in going to see live music.
But because I sort of forgot about it, I wasn’t sure whether there was much point this year. And it felt a bit contrived to just pick one that didn’t really mean anything.
Then a word popped into my head while I was feeling frustrated about some stuff to do with my coaching business. And with it a song. Patience. (The one that popped into my head at the time was the Guns ‘n’ Roses one, but I’ve since embraced the Take That one as well.)
Why patience?
Because I need it!
When you’re trying to build a new business, to get new clients for it, it can be frustrating and disheartening on a daily basis. One day you think everything’s going so well, the next you just wonder why you’re bothering and start looking for part time jobs. (Or maybe that’s just me…)
So you have to remind yourself of the bigger picture. That to get clients for a new thing, you need to do that thing, to have happy clients who then tell other clients about you.
And you need people to know what you do. I got my certification in September, but only shared a proper informative post about it on my personal Facebook profile yesterday, 4 months later. (Yes, I know…)
You also have to get known for the thing you do and the associated topics. Going to networking events, building up a network and a community around you, participating, sharing knowledge by giving talks or going on podcasts.
And both of those things take time. My basic coaching package is 3 months, so it takes 3 months for someone new to see how I’ve helped them and then tell people. You can’t just turn up at a new networking event and demand to be their next speaker or be on everyone’s podcasts. You have to get to know them first!
So that’s why my word of this year is patience.
Continuing to let things unfold, telling people what I do, exploring new ways to engage with people and share some expertise. Trusting that the right clients will find me and the right opportunities will come my way, at the right time.
And making sure I have people around me who will remind me how far I’ve come, and why I’m doing what I’m doing – for those moments in the day to day when I doubt myself and start wondering what the point is.
Do you have a word of the year? How did you choose yours?
Photo by Nina Lenton