You don't need to do it alone!
As an entrepreneur, business owner or business leader, have you ever felt like you’re doing it all alone? So, how do we, as entrepreneurs & leaders, make sure that we look after our business but most importantly ourselves?
With the struggle of balancing your workload, your team, feeling overwhelmed, constantly fighting fires, trying to get a good nights sleep, finding time for yourself and your mental and physical wellbeing, trying to find time to spend with your significant other, your family, your friends… It’s bound to feel a bit lonely at the top.
The key is not doing it alone. So, what can you do to ensure that you’re not doing it alone?
We asked the supportive team at The Common to answer one of the most asked questions entrepreneurs have – “Where do I go for help and how can I make sure my business and myself, as the business owner is supported?”
The Common is a Business Support Community where Entrepreneurs and Business Owners are helped to achieve their professional and personal goals.
Everyone in The Common community is a Business Owner, an Entrepreneur or Business Leader, who has been there, done that, got the T-shirt or more likely is going through it right now.
The Common provides a business membership club that includes access to Business and Health and Wellness workshops, support through mentoring, one on one coaching or group coaching and access to other like-minded individuals to share your journey with. All set in a beautiful, architectural, heritage space in Parnell, with spaces that cater for your different needs.
We spoke with Debra Chantry, the founder of The Common, who is also a Business Owner, an Entrepreneur with 25+ years of running businesses along with 10+ years of coaching, to share her tips with us.
Why do you think coaching and mentorship is often lacking in new business environments?
I think people think that they can’t afford it, when in reality, you can’t afford not to do it. Coaching is usually a paid service but there is government funding to help you with the cost of this, plus the time you save by avoiding the pitfalls is invaluable. One on one coaching gives you fantastic motivation and accountability plus a safe place to share your journey, whereas group coaching gives you the chance to learn from others.
Mentoring is generally an unpaid option – you just need to find someone who has the skills and experience that you need and who is willing to mentor you.
We offer all of the above at The Common, through our coaches, our members and our preferred suppliers. We take the time to match you with the right service and the right people.
What do you think are some of the main benefits of having a business coach in any stage of a business journey?
Good business coaches have not only training in coaching, which is all about asking questions, but also in running a business, so that they know the right questions to ask.
Most clients already have the answers, they just don’t know the right questions to ask.
Having someone who can look at your business from the outside and challenge you by asking the right questions will mean that you will get to the right answers more quickly and avoid making expensive mistakes.
A coach will also hold you accountable. We have awesome software that all of our coaches and mentors use – we call it the nagging wife – it gently keeps you on track!
Why do you think people may be hesitant to ask for help within their communities?
I think people tend to see asking for help as a sign of weakness or failure. I have a simple solution for that. When you help someone yourself how does it make you feel? It makes you feel good doesn’t it? So why are you denying others that feeling? Why are you ripping them off? Every time I have asked for help, or encouraged one of our members to, I have always been blown away by the response. Let’s help people to feel great about themselves whilst getting the help we need.
It’s all about working together – You don’t need to do it alone!