Changing your small business for the better often involves personal change.

This is why I firmly believe in transformational, not transactional, coaching.

Transformational coaching is a commitment to developing your capabilities and self-reliance, so that you can meet future challenges and changes in your business independently. Key to developing this self-reliance are the six steps for change featured below.

These six steps aren’t just limited to business—they’re a model for how we function in all aspects of our lives, whether starting healthier habits or learning a new skill. Small businesses are often intimately tied to the lives of their owners—business affects your personal life, and your personal life affects your business.

We all think we know how to change. But we often get in our own way when we forget steps in the process. Many people think they can simply start out by taking action, without having spent time in pre-contemplation, contemplation, or preparation. This is not setting yourself up for success!

I’ve been helping small businesses in Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan for years. In that time, I’ve found these six steps extremely useful for understanding and implementing change for small business owners.

Pre-Contemplation: Not Recognizing the Problem

At this stage, many of us do not realize we’re in a “stage.” In fact, we can’t even start thinking about solutions yet, because we haven’t even recognized the problem. It’s easy to feel hopeless or lost in this stage. Because we sense there’s a problem without recognizing it, we also might blame others.

It’s important to be self-aware during pre-contemplation. I recommend asking yourself: “What are the costs if nothing changes?”

Contemplation: Seeing the Problem

At this stage, we still may not be ready for change, but we have acknowledged the problem.

“Analysis Paralysis” is very common at this stage, as we recognize the need for change, but cannot commit to any certain plan yet. This is fine, as long as we don’t get stuck here.

Some good questions to think about at this time are the pros and cons of change, why you want the change, and what obstacles you are facing. Keeping these questions in mind will help keep you motivated later on.

Preparation: Getting Battle-Ready

Preparation is when we become “battle-ready.” Start thinking about the concrete actions you plan on taking and find sources of motivation.

Before you commit to change, think about experimenting. Maybe implement some small changes and collect information on them.

In addition to experiments, you can also run role-plays. Just like how athletes train their muscle reflexes, you should train yourself for how you’ll respond to change when you do take the big leap.

Action: The Time Is Now

You’ve recognized the problem, you’ve made a plan, and now you’re taking direct action to solve the problem.

That’s great, but it’s not the end either. After all, your business is likely complex, and can’t be fixed in a day.

When taking action, it’s also important to reward success. This will motivate you and potentially prevent relapses into old behaviors. Rewards can mean different things based on your situation—find what works for you.

To keep yourself on track, you should also seek out forms of support when taking action. Most often this means family and friends, but a business coach is also a great source of support!

Maintenance: Staying on Track

It’s one thing to recognize the problem and do something, but another thing entirely to make it a sustained part of your routine. At this stage, consistent and frequent action is key.

If you’re not getting immediate results, or getting bogged down in the details, remember your sources of motivation, and the problem you’re trying to fix.

Keep in mind that relapsing into old habits can and will happen—and that’s ok! If you do find yourself going back a step, it’s not the end of the world. Your goal at this point should be making sure that your moments of relapse become less common and happen further apart. Change won’t happen overnight, so don’t worry about perfection.

Termination: Letting Go of Your Old Self

In the final stage, things come full circle. Because I believe in transformative coaching, this is when you’re on your own. But leading up to this point, you will have developed self-reliance, support systems, back-up plans, and know when to conduct “tune ups.” Learning to think and act for yourself is the whole point, after all.

Is Business Coaching for Me?

Are you having trouble inspiring your employees?

Is your revenue not what it should be?

Do you feel like your business is running you?

Does your business need to change, but you don’t know where to begin?

Business coaching is a process, and it’s not for everyone. It takes a conversation to find out, and a real dedication to find solutions to problems.

If you have a small business in Ann Arbor or Southeast Michigan and find yourself saying “yes” to any of these questions, contact me at (734) 726-5208!