\u201cNo\u201d means no new coaching client<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo\u201d means stagnant coaching income<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe coaching isn\u2019t right for them\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …now\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …or ever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if you knew if \u201cno\u201d was the right answer for your client<\/span>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …even before they do<\/span>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Would you feel differently about \u201cno\u201d…?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine that you knew it was the \u201cright thing\u201d to say \u201cno\u201d to coaching FOR your client<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine that YOU were the one leading that conversation<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Would you still feel the rejection<\/span> that usually comes along with a \u201cNo\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even better\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if you discovered your own fear of rejection<\/span>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …was triggering<\/span> your client\u2019s tension or resistance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if you set your own validation aside<\/span>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …instead, acting solely on behalf of your client<\/span>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What if you took the \u201clead\u201d with the \u2018No\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what would happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your worries around a potential \u201cno\u201d would disappear<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n …then you\u2019d focus 100% on contributing to your client<\/span>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …no matter what happened at the end of your discovery sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, if you focused 100% on contributing to your clients\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …you\u2019d eventually get more client\u2019s saying \u201cyes\u201d<\/span> than you\u2019ll ever need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Often you can see how much your coaching will help your potential client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And because you want to help so much\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …you could easily end up \u2018wanting to coach\u2019 more than your client \u2018wants the coaching\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n But coaching doesn\u2019t always help<\/span>\u2026 no matter how much you want it to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And coaching especially doesn\u2019t help clients who don\u2019t want coaching<\/span>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find yourself…<\/p>\n\n\n\n …it\u2019s a sign that you\u2019re attached to them enrolling<\/span> in coaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re that attached\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …you likely want it more than they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem with \u2018wanting the coaching\u2019 more than your client does?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if coaching is a good fit for your client, they will sense your attachment to the outcome<\/span>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …which is \u2018client repellent\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if coaching is a good fit for your client, they will sense your attachment to the outcome<\/span>\u2026which is \u2018client repellent\u2019.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Instead, develop a keen awareness<\/span> of how much your prospective client wants the coaching, and don\u2019t offer coaching to them if they don\u2019t really want it<\/span>.Even if YOU really want to coach them, tell them \u201cI can\u2019t offer you coaching because you\u2019re not up for it at this time.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some potential clients will tell you…<\/p>\n\n\n\n …when they\u2019re really just not willing to do the work<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve got to hold your client\u2019s feet to the fire on this<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your client can\u2019t be honest<\/span> about their lack of willingness to put in the work, then they can\u2019t take coaching from you<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assuming they get honest with you, the next step is getting your client to commit to change their \u2018laziness\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your client doesn\u2019t put in the work<\/span>, then they\u2019ll never get any results in coaching<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your client doesn\u2019t put in the work<\/span>, then they\u2019ll never get any results in coaching<\/span>.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t handle this with your client, don\u2019t sign them up for your coaching<\/span>. Just tell them \u201cI wouldn\u2019t coach you because you\u2019re not willing to do the work.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be able to work with clients who are already in therapy, but it\u2019s beyond the scope of coaching to heal past issues and trauma<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can support your client with referrals to therapy, but don\u2019t try to substitute coaching for therapy<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone has a different definition of \u201cgood fit\u201d, but here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t hold unconditional positive regard for your client<\/span> because of their lifestyle, beliefs, goals, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, I was initially hesitant to help my client find a new bride after his previous wife <\/strong><\/a>hired<\/a><\/strong> a hitman to kill him<\/strong><\/a>, but I worked through my issues so I could be his coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have the skills your client needs<\/span> from you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If your client needs help in a specific niche that you don\u2019t have skills or experience to handle<\/span>, support them to find someone who can help them<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your client needs help in a specific niche that you don\u2019t have skills or experience to handle<\/span>, support them to find someone who can help them<\/span>.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Your potential client will respect your help, plus you\u2019re avoiding a disappointing coaching experience for both you and your client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may be tempting to egg a client on in their naive fantasy about a coaching “cure all”<\/span>, but that sugar high quickly devolves into disappointment<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bring your prospective client down to earth<\/span> around what to expect from coaching or you’re better off showing them the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My ‘go to’ phrase to delusional prospects is “I guarantee nothing”<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BOTTOM LINE: Make sure they are clear about what you provide and what you expect from them so they\u2019ll be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (NOTE: If you want to learn how to start your own coaching business, then check out this webinar<\/a><\/strong>, called “How to Start Your Coaching Business in 30 Days<\/a>“<\/a><\/strong> \u00a0During the webinar, I\u2019ll cover how to get your first paid clients fast and make it feel natural for you. Click HERE now<\/a><\/strong> to attend the webinar<\/a><\/strong>.)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n …it frees you to work on other aspects of your coaching business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of \u2018chasing\u2019 a bad fit\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n ..which only makes you look desperate<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Know your value<\/span> as a coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be selective<\/span> in your process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As my mentor once said\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s better to ride stallions than drag nags\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for clients who are ready now<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for clients who are willing to invest time and resources<\/span> to achieve their dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n THAT is work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n THAT is a waste of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use your time to reach out to more people<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use your time to clarify who you can best serve<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be a stand for having amazing clients\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …who will make progress\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …because it\u2019s a good fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Helping<\/span> as much as you can\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n …or holding off on something that you know won\u2019t work<\/span>…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n …and having the integrity to know the difference<\/span>…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n …will make an unforgettable impact on your potential client<\/span>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n …and you never know what will happen as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps a \u201cno” client today comes back to you when they\u2019re ready<\/span> for your coaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n …and THAT\u2019S when the miracles begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Colette “Own The No” Coiner<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut sometimes \u201cNo\u201d is the best answer<\/span> for your client.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What if you took responsibility for the \u2018No\u2019?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When Should You Say \u201cno\u201d to Your Prospective Client?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
NO #1: When you want it more than your client does<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"No](\"https:\/\/coachestrainingblog.com\/becomeacoach\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/NO-flow.002.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNO #2: When your potential client isn\u2019t willing to do the work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
NO #3: When your potential client needs a therapist or psychiatrist<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
NO #4: When you and your client are not a good fit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
NO #5: When your client has unrealistic expectations about what your coaching provides.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>When you\u2019ve identified that a client isn\u2019t a good fit\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t try to talk potential clients into something that isn\u2019t a fit.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n