Full Time Coaching First Year Review

This time last year, I made a bold decision: to leave the well-paid, “successful” corporate career and pursue coaching full time — a path aligned with my passion, but filled with uncertainties.

I was excited and proud of my move, but my inner critic was loud, and I faced many moments of fear and self doubt:
⚡ Impostor syndrome shouted “Do I even have what it takes to be a good coach?”
⚡ I knew nothing about building my own practice or how to get clients.
⚡ As an introvert, the thought of putting myself out there to build my business felt daunting.
⚡ I questioned whether I’d have the motivation to keep going when things got tough.

Declaring my decision on LinkedIn made it real, and knowing it was something I truly 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 gave me the courage to step outside my comfort zone.

I practiced what I preach – Dream. Plan. Do. Live:

I set clear goals for the year:
🌟 Earn one more coaching certification.
🌟 Establish my practice and have at least six paying clients.
🌟 Seek, and say yes to at least one speaking engagement.
🌟 Generate enough income to fund our family vacations.

I built plans and took actions:
🌱I signed up for coaching courses to build up my skills and meet my qualification requirements.
🌱I got visible: I started LinkedIn outreach, and sought out speaking engagements and podcast interviews.
🌱I leaned into my existing network, and intentionally built new connections to help me build and grow a practice.
There were many days when my inner critic grew loud, especially when a prospect declined. But I reminded myself that progress, not perfection, was my goal.

I celebrated progress:
✨ I earned my certification, and am on track to earn the next level next year.
✨ I gained double digit clients by my third month, and ending the year as a coach on five great platforms.
✨ I funded several vacations, and cherished the special moments with my family – from reconnecting with my roots in China with my parents and my daughters, to revisiting Kauai where my husband and I married 20 years ago.

I learned:
💡Things won’t always be easy, and my inner critic will always freak out. But I can 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 to focus on having clear goals and making steady progress to keep me moving.
💡Support matters. Former colleagues and mentees who vouched for me countered my imposter syndrome. Fellow coaches who shared their insights eased my fears of the unknown. And my family reminded me daily to focus on what truly matters.

I am far from where I know I can be, and I will keep setting clear, intentional goals in 2025 to keep growing on this journey.

Sending positive energy to everyone out there. As you reflect on your 2024, what bold goals will you dare to set for 2025?

Here’s to clarity, confidence, and resilience as you Dream. Plan. Do. Live your 2025! 💪

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