"Success in a Box"… or STUCK in a box?

A while back, I asked someone how her business was going. She responded, “UP and DOWN”. BUT, she said, she was doing what her coaches told her to do. I asked who she was coaching with… (because this very up and down, feast or famine, hit or miss “phenomenon” is what coaching “cures”.)

She responded by saying that her coach was a VERY WELL KNOWN small business coach… a very EXPENSIVE coach whom I know. I know, because years ago, I saved the money to coach with her and she would not take me on as a client. (REJECTED! OUCH!)

Anyway, instantly I knew that this person was not ACTUALLY being coached. Rather, she had purchased one of those “Success-in a Box” courses or one of those “Inner Circle” programs. You know the ones.. the kind that promise they are the ONLY Resource, Tool, etc. you will ever need to make more money than you EVER have before.

I know these “boxes” well… I have previously invested in MANY of these courses…. as well as many of those “Inner Circles” where you get ONE group call per month and an online “MasterMInd” group (i.e. forum) where you can network with other people paying for this service.

And these groups, experts, and boxes were great. They gave me LOTS of great information, ideas, etc. EACH of them placed a high value on “preparation” and used a LOT of buzzwords and business jargon that we erroneously accept as “expert advice”. NONE of them prompted me to income-producing action or held me accountable to growing my practice. That is what I needed more than anything else.

You see, there is nothing that rivals the power of having a coach invested in growing your practice with you. Nothing. Your coach is your biggest fan, your accountability partner, your sounding board, your MIRROR, your reality check, your navigation system, and your cheerleader. THIS is something that these “forums” and boxes can not offer. In fact, if you invest in too many of these (as I did) it can actually HINDER your willingness to take ACTION and start making money.

Last week I read a GREAT quote from Jim Manton, author of The Secret of Transitions. “To transition we must enter a state in which we are no longer who we once were, and yet we are not who we must become. We have to be willing to stand in the open gap and momentarily risk being nothing.”

There is NO substitute for having a coach, a leader, a mentor, a MasterMind group who will stand in that gap with you as you make breakthrough leaps in INCOME, in CONFIDENCE, in SELF!! No substitute!! No acceptable replacement!! Nothing as effective! Nothing!

With that said, I have to say THANK YOU to all who have stood and are currently standing in that gap with me. You are the wind beneath my wings. I deeply appreciate each of you, and can not imagine my life without you in it!

Thank you to STEVE CHANDLER, speaker, coach and author EXTRAORDINAIRE. You always amaze me and have pushed me beyond my story of myself! Thank you to LAURIE BAGGET who challenges me, inspires me, and keeps me on my toes. Thank you to JESSICA RIEHL who continues to amaze me with all that you accomplish. Thank you to J.B. and Beth Barnes for always taking ACTION (and for allowing my son to be your biggest fan)! Thank you to Rachael Judy who always exceeds my expectations and is a true partner to me!! Thank you to my husband and best friend, for always believing in me… and for being my own dream come true! Thank you to my parents who gave me the foundation of an unshakeable confidence in my potential!

Thank you to EACH MEMBER of the FABULOUS PHOENIX NINE (PLUS BRIAN): Justin Rohner, Stephen McGhee, Ruth Thompson, Brian Whetton, Jim Camp, Michael Schantz, Pam Neckar, Raja Hireker, and Scott Young. You all inspire me and keep me focused on all that is possible. I love cheering you on each week. Thank you for doing the same for me. Let’s not allow November to define the “end of the road”. Let’s keep creating miracles!

I am not sure I could find a “failed” business with a truly committed coach on their “books”. But I am sure we wouldn’t have to search very long to find a “failed” business with receipts for these boxes and courses on their books! Something to think about… Are they really “SUCCESS” in a box or do they keep you STUCK in a box? Hmmm….