You grow by listening

Hey friend!

Every week, I share insights and ideas from my coaching and conversations that can help you build your coaching business flywheel. I hope to sprinkle some seeds that may turn into actionable ideas and practical implementation as you build your business.

Some quick thoughts for this week:

1. You grow by listening

It almost feels counterintuitive, right?

But time and time again, this has been my personal experience. When I’ve listened to my customers (across social media, in private calls, focus groups, surveys and interviews), I have grown, emotionally and financially.

Why? Because I get closer to knowing their exact needs and desires and I get better at serving them. My messaging gets better. My emails are more dialled in. My conversations are more transformative.

How much are you talking versus listening? The beauty is that if you’ve gone through a coaching certification, listening is what you’re trained in.

So listen with your full being present, and serve your client wholeheartedly. There is nothing better than growing your business by delivering a top quality product, and coaching is your product. 

Now, I make it a core practice to speak to 4-5 customers a month to do nothing else but learn about them. You can do the same! 

David Schwartz who wrote one of my favourite books ever, The Magic of Thinking Big, says “Your ears are your intake valves. They feed your mind raw materials that can be converted into creative power. We learn nothing from telling. But there is no limit to what we can learn by asking and listening.”

2. Activity and productivity

When you confuse both activity and productivity, you can sabotage your success. How much of what you’re doing right now is actually producing the results you want?

Very often, I get out my journal, and I do a quick audit. I write down all of the activities I’m doing to grow my business. Advertising, new videos, social media, writing emails, LinkedIn posts, networking events, etc. Then I clearly assess which of these activities has actually proven productive. I’ve got progress or momentum, or even new business. If something hasn’t worked and I’ve given it enough time, I drop it.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap that being busy is productive. Measure your work and make sure it moves you forward. 

3. A simple way to be happy

My spiritual teacher once shared that a straightforward way to be grounded, centered and happy is to simply do this:

Recognise the talents, qualities, and growth of others as often and as exuberantly as you can. Not only because they need it and deserve it, but because it keeps your mind and emotions in a healthy place.

Is this something you practice?

That’s all for this week!

Kavit Haria