For the past month, I spent over $500 to work with an executive coach. We met once per week for 30 minutes over the phone, and these sessions were helpful, but my no means transformative.
Most helpful, was my coach’s ability to ask tough, thought-provoking questions got me thinking deeply about how I manage my time and priorities.
I currently work as a solopreneur, so my priorities aren’t always clear. Plus, I’m self aware and notice that I always procrastinate for 30 minutes to do something that feels like a check-the-box task and isn’t moving things forward. I’m a goal-oriented, self-motivated person, but I still found the need to bring more structure and accountability into my routine, as I find that generally helps.
Here are the key takeaways from my experience:
use your calendar
This was a game-changer. By dedicating specific blocks of time for the most important tasks, I ensured that I stayed focused and productive. No more endless to-do lists – just clear, intentional scheduling.
focus on no more than three priorities at a time
Limiting my focus to three priorities at any given moment helped me stay aligned with my larger goals. This approach prevented overwhelm and kept me laser-focused on what really mattered.
link priorities to goals
Knowing how each priority contributed to my overarching goals was crucial. It provided clarity and motivation, making it easier to stay committed and see the bigger picture.
think about your future self
Visualizing where I wanted to be in a year or two and identifying the obstacles that could hinder my progress was a powerful exercise. It helped me anticipate challenges and plan effectively to overcome them.
weekly 30-minute calls
Stepping back from the daily grind for half an hour each week allowed me to reflect on the bigger picture and make strategic adjustments. It was a much-needed breather and a chance to think deeply about my work. Despite not having a coach going forward, I’ve built in these reflection sections into my schedule.
enjoy the process
Don’t just focus on efficiency. Find joy in the process itself. When you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re more likely to stay motivated and produce high-quality work. This mindset shift leads to greater satisfaction with better outcomes.
ask for feedback (from yourself)
Directly asking your boss, “Am I making your life easier?” can provide unexpectedly positive feedback. Apply this to yourself too—regularly ask how you can improve. This honest self-assessment can reveal areas for growth and actually make your life easier.
seek timely feedback from others
Find ways to get timely feedback on your work. This helps you improve continuously and ensures you have deliverables to show progress. Timely feedback allows you to make necessary adjustments and move forward with confidence.
work smarter, not harder
Trite, but true. My coach emphasized the importance of smart, strategic efforts. This shift in mindset made a significant difference in how I approached my work. Managing energy is important, so pay attention to your natural energy cycles and schedule tasks accordingly to maximize productivity.
be honest with yourself
To grow, you need to take risks and expand your thoughts and ideas. Inevitably, you’ll be wrong sometimes. By being honest with yourself about your priorities and wants, you’ll find it easier to focus on tasks that truly matter and bring fulfillment. This approach ensures you’re accomplishing meaningful goals rather than just checking off boxes.
no more executive coach
Despite these valuable insights, I ultimately decided that the cost of the coaching wasn’t worth it for me and got my 30 day money back refund. However, I did appreciate having an accountability buddy to text at the end of the day about my progress. It was a simple yet effective way to stay on track. So, to replicate this, I text myself my general thoughts of how the day went and what priorities I’m going to focus on. This also helps shape a ~weekly newsletter I send to a small group about the progress on my startup.
Then, the next morning, I take a look at the text while I answer these 5 questions
- Top priority today?
- Feel good item today?
- Big win? aka what can we celebrate?
- Big learning?
- What would the intern do today (aka what can we scale / what needs to be done operationally)?
While executive coaching might not be for everyone, these fundamental strategies can still be beneficial.
unpublished alpha 