Hard truths and Hot Tips from someone who’s been in both worlds - corporate and online coaching!

What you're about to read was originally part of a freebie I created a couple of years ago for the facilitation skills side of my business. But I never launched it 😬

I've closed that side of my biz now ... But the tips inside that case study? Solid. Useful. And hella relevant!

So, I thought I’d extract the good stuff and put it out here instead 😃

If you’re a coach, facilitator, or course creator - especially if you’re in your beginner or “figuring things out” phase... this is for you.

These are things I’ve learned across 14+ years of creating and delivering training - first in corporate, then in the coaching world! ❤️

1. Stop chasing perfect. Start testing.

The first iteration of your course or program is not going to be the last or the only one.

Now, honestly, I’ve seen multiple versions of every program I’ve created. Especially if you’re a beginner course creator, please stop trying to get it perfect in the first go.

I’ve fine-tuned so many of my courses over years and years of working with people. And even then, I wouldn’t call them perfect. Because some things are always going to grow and evolve.

If you’re trying to get it perfect before even putting it out to people, it’s just going to be one perspective - yours. And it won’t include the learner’s perspective, which is actually the most important.

If you’re a beginner coache who are still fresh in the online space: stop trying to make it perfect.

Get it out there. See what actually happens.

Also, from a business perspective:

• A self-paced course might not always be the best idea.

• Expecting the first course to be perfect isn’t good for your mental health nor your biz.

• Neither is expecting the second one to be perfect. (Stop trying to get it perfect! Like seriously. And yes, I know it’s not easy. I was like that too 😅)

• Thinking you’ll just create it & put it out there to generate passive income is fun, but it takes time and effort to get there.

Stop trying to make it perfect. Get it out there.

See what happens!

2. Your course isn’t for you. It’s for them.

Your observations as a coach, regular feedback from your clients, and their progress - all of that is required.

When you’re creating a course, it comes from your knowledge, your perspective, your ideas. But until you actually get input from the people going through it, it might feel a little flat.

Ask for feedback. Watch their progress. Look at what’s happening.

Take all of that into account as you keep enhancing what you offer - whether it’s content, coaching, or the entire program itself.

You are creating your programs for people.

So... You need to know what people want.

And you get that info by actually doing it enough times.

Not sitting at home thinking: “Oh, I’m sure this is what they want to learn & know. I know what is best. I decide. And they’ll like it. They've got to.”

Stop this. Run your program & get clarity instead.

Your programs will become way more better this way. For sure.

3. Always build with the outcome in mind.

There are two things that are very, very important when creating a course:

• What’s the outcome that I’m looking at - whether it’s a course, a workshop, or a program?

• And is whatever I’m putting inside this program - whatever I’m trying to teach - going to help them achieve that outcome?

That’s pretty much it.

As long as you do this, you are sorted.

Everything else aka any extra fluff can be taken off entirely.

You always keep coming back to that outcome that you’re helping them try to achieve. Take anything else off.

Ensure that you have everything that will help them get to that outcome.

Keep coming back to these two questions. They’ll keep you anchored.

4. Effort → Effortless. But only if you let it evolve.

Your job definitely does not get over once you put it out there.

Everything goes through evolution - your content, yourself, people.

As technology is increasing, there are so many changes happening very quickly.

You need to stay on top of it. Understand what’s happening with people.

How are their attention spans?

What are they finding more interesting?

At the same time - what’s your evolution like? Are you growing?

You cannot be like, “Oh, I’ve created this. This will now just stay.”

If that happens... what’s the challenge?

Are you not growing? Are you stuck?

Are you not keeping in touch with what’s happening in the world?

Everything will go through multiple iterations, reviews and I’m not talking about constantly doing this to get it perfect.

It just needs to get to the point where the outcomes are being achieved effortlessly... But that will happen over time!

5. Don’t teach adults like kids. Facilitate.

Adults are not children. You can’t treat them that way, nor can you teach them that way.

Understand the difference between coaching and teaching - it is not the same.

Learning to facilitate learning for adults is a whole new game.

Ask yourself:

• Would you (as an adult) be okay with someone teaching you like this?

• Does the coaching account for their experiences in life or does it say, “Forget everything & listen to me”?

• Does it cater to the fact that everyone learns differently?

Look at your program & review it through the lens of a coach and not a teacher. That lens will change how you design, how you show up, and how they transform.

6. Sometimes, it’s not your fault. Really.

There is a tendency of ours, coaches and trainers, to blame ourselves if the program doesn’t work out in the way it should have.

And though it may be if you have not curated the course correctly, marketed it right, tailored it to your audience properly, etc.... but if you have done all this well or correctly, and sometimes people don’t show results the way you want them to…

It is not always your fault.

Stop blaming yourself. Stop feeling guilty about it.

And most importantly, don’t let it affect your next batch, program, or session.

There are other factors that come into the picture when someone is learning or going through a transformation.

It is different in a corporate setting where it is mandatory to attend trainings.

But out here - it’s not.

And when life is crazy, hectic, or challenging?

Learning usually takes a backseat.

There’s no way you can prevent it. It is not in your control.

Neither is your client to blame. Nor are you. Nor is your program.

After beating myself over this multiple times, I’m here to tell you:

It is not always your fault.

It’s not always your client’s fault.

And it doesn’t mean your program sucks.

Let go of the guilt.

Assess, adjust, move forward.

These were the lessons I had tucked away inside that old freebie and I hope at least one of them lands exactly where it needs to ❤️

If this helped, share it with someone else who’s building their work in this space.

And if you have any questions - ask away. I always love helping out my fellow facilitators, trainers, coaches (whatever title you go by!) 🩷

You’ve got this. Now go build something great 🔥😃