Why do projects get stalled when you’re working with a coach or consultant? Over the years I’ve been frustrated with clients who pay the full amount for a project, then get stalled and somehow never return. There’s nothing wrong with those clients: I’ve done the same thing.
But it’s important to realize that you can lose momentum or realize you never should have signed up for the program in the first place.
Here are 5 common reasons your project might be stalled:
(1) When you’re getting ready to go on vacation
It’s happened more than once. We start on a project, such as a website or repositioning. We make good progress.
Then I get an email: “I’m going on vacation next week. Can we put this on hold?”
Vacations – good vacations – change people. You won’t be the first person to return home with the realization, “I want to do something completely different.”
You may be jet-lagged and tired. You’ve probably forgotten why you wanted to do this…and if I’m your consultant or copywriter, you can be sure I’ve forgotten too.
(2) When you’re getting ready to make a relocation move
A relocation is at least 10X the interruption of a vacation. When you arrive, you may find new resources that weren’t available in your previous residence. Your rhythm changes.
Besides, you’re tired. You’re using up energy learning your way around your new home. You need a new support system. The last thing you want to do is deal with the minutiae of a website or course.
I wrote a book about the psychology of relocation. Look it up here.
(3) You’re not sure what you need
This is a good time to ask around your network. It’s also a good time book a single session with a consultant. It’s one of the main reasons I get clients for the Strategic Intensive.
All too often, consultants promote their value based on quantities: number of coaching sessions, number of group meetings, number of courses available on demand…you get the idea.
But you’ll get value when you get exactly what you need, whether it’s one hour or ten hours.
A shameless plug here: I’ve had clients say the Strategic Intensive covered more in 90 minutes than 3 months with another source. That’s because I was able to deliver exactly what they needed.
(4) You’re straining the budget.
Ethical business and career consultants don’t want to work with you if you’re feeling stressed about spending the money. The good ones don’t come cheap.
However, you may find lower-cost or free resources if you get creative. Sometimes you get lucky. I’ve met entrepreneurs who grew successful businesses with free support from the US Small Business Administration.
Universities and community colleges offer affordable courses. I built my first website after learning HTML at a community college. (We didn’t have WordPress yet.) It’s a good way to start small.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable with the cost of something you’d like to sign up for:
(a) Get clear on your budget.
(b) Never be afraid to ask your preferred consultant for options.
Sometimes you can get a shorter or smaller version of what you need; for instance, you can get copy coaching instead of hiring a copywriter. This only works if you’re very, very clear on your budget and goals.
(5) Your intuition is screaming “NO!” or you have a quiet little inkling that “Something isn’t right here.”
Pay attention!
Know your own intuitive code. Do you find you make your best decisions on impulse? Or do you tend to dive in and regret it later? I have an ebook on intuition you can download to understand your own signals.
My best clients have known immediately that they wanted to work with me. They might send an email or two to check my schedule or my scope of expertise. But then they sign up enthusiastically.
Occasionally I’ve had a client sign up when I was the one who wanted to be sure they were a good fit. Before I could ask, they’d paid!
Inevitably, they were right. Your intuition knows.
Bottom Line: Don’t sign up for a project that will turn into a pumpkin because you weren’t ready to begin.
