Why Your Coaching Skills Might Be Killing Your Coaching Business (and How to Fix It)
When Your Coaching Superpower Starts Working Against You
As a coach, I have a habit of coaching myself through everything.
Having a bad day? Let’s reframe it.
Feeling stuck? What’s the story you’re telling yourself?
Having a complete meltdown? Deep breath. Name the emotion, process it, and release it.
If that sounds familiar, you’re probably nodding along right now.
Because you get it — you’re a coach.
And self-coaching is practically second nature.
We use it to move through discomfort, to stay grounded, to show up with empathy and resilience.
It’s what makes us powerful humans and incredible coaches.
But here’s the truth that most of us don’t talk about:
The same skill that helps you transform lives can quietly hold you back when it comes to growing your business.
You see, self-coaching can become a double-edged sword.
On one side, it keeps you emotionally intelligent, self-aware, and aligned.
On the other, it can keep you circling in reflection, overthinking, and self-managing your way out of action.
That inner voice that helps your clients heal and evolve?
Sometimes, it’s the same voice that talks you out of taking bold business moves.
So if you’ve ever caught yourself “working on your mindset” instead of marketing your offers, or journaling about your fears instead of sending the pitch — this one’s for you.
Let’s talk about the three sneaky ways self-coaching might actually be sabotaging your business growth — and what to do instead.
In this article, we’ll unpack three sneaky signs your coaching skills are holding back your business growth—and what you can do right now to shift from self-coaching mode to CEO mode so you can finally get consistent clients and momentum.
1. You’re Too Resourceful — and Stuck in Learning Mode
Let’s be real — you’re smart, capable, and endlessly curious. You listen to podcasts. You binge YouTube videos. You’ve probably watched every “how to get coaching clients” tutorial out there (and yes, maybe even asked ChatGPT to map out your next 10 marketing ideas).
You tell yourself, I just need to learn one more thing and I’ll be ready.
So you keep researching. Tweaking. Consuming.
And somehow, six months later, you’ve got a folder full of Google Docs… but still no paying clients.
Here’s the truth:
You don’t have a learning problem.
You have an integration problem.
You’ve gathered tons of great ideas, but they’re not yet working together to create results. Until someone helps you connect the dots — in a way that fits your lifestyle, your strengths, and your business — you’ll stay in the loop of collecting information instead of creating transformation.
Lesson: Stop searching for “the next thing” and start integrating what you already know. Learning doesn’t grow your business — implementing does. Wondering exactly where you are in your coaching business? Take a quick assessment here to find out
2. You Trust the Process... Maybe a Little Too Much
This one’s tough love.
You journal. You visualize. You’re manifesting your dream clients and affirming your purpose. You tell yourself, what’s meant to happen will happen.
That’s beautiful — until it’s month three and you still don’t have a single paying client.
Yes, alignment matters. But alignment without action is like planting seeds and never watering them.
You can have the best mindset in the world — but if you’re not actively connecting with people, making offers, and showing up to sell your services… you’re building a dream, not a business.
The truth is: manifestation and action are partners.
You need both.
So keep your faith strong — but move your feet too.
3. You’re a Great Coach… But Not Yet a Confident Business Owner
This is where many coaches get stuck.
You hold space beautifully. You help clients reframe their stories and experience massive breakthroughs. But when it comes to marketing yourself, you freeze.
You start posting on social media — but your posts sound like mini coaching sessions instead of marketing messages. You give away insights, but you never tell people how they can actually work with you.
You’re showing up, but not showing people what you offer.
And that’s why they’re not hiring you.
You can’t get clients if no one knows what you sell or how to buy it.
So in your next post, make sure you’re not just inspiring — you’re inviting.
Tell people how they can take the next step with you.
Talk about the transformation your coaching creates.
And yes — confidently share your offers.
You don’t need to coach for free in your content. You need to lead.
So, What Now?
If you’ve been nodding along thinking, “That’s me,” then you’ve probably been self-coaching your way through business growth — and hitting the same wall over and over again.
You don’t need more motivation.
You need a roadmap.
And to help you with that, I created a free resource just for you:
Inside, you’ll discover:
✨ Clarity on where you are in your coaching biz — and what comes next
✨ Confidence to stop guessing and start moving in the right direction
✨ A simple plan to attract clients without the overwhelm
Because your coaching business is too good to stay the best-kept secret.
Let’s make it as powerful as your coaching.
Final Thoughts
Your coaching skills are powerful — but they can only take you so far if you’re hiding behind learning, alignment, or endless giving.
To grow your business, you need strategy, structure, and the confidence to lead like a CEO.
You already have the skills.
Now it’s time to put them to work — for you.
Ready to go deeper? Grab a Strategy Call to learn how to grow an online coaching biz, get seen at all the right places, and attract happy paying clients.
