with Tom Foley
Dear Coach: I'm trying to start a business, but I'm still working full-time. When I get home, I'm too tired in the evening to concentrate on the business. How can I make the time I need? Martin. Albany, NY
Dear Martin:
Congratulations on starting your new business! This can be a very exciting and rewarding time for you. The important thing to remember is that you will not move at the same pace as somebody who has the flexibility to devote several hours a day to their new business. So don't make the mistake of comparing your progress with someone else's as their situation may be entirely different. However, you can succeed getting started part-time. Just accept that it will take you longer.
The most important steps for you to take are (1) to identify your goals for the next six months and (2) to create specific action steps you need to take to accomplish each goal. Once you've completed these steps, create a realistic time line for taking those actions. Whether you spend one hour a day or three hours a day on your goals will be determined by your particular situation.
You mentioned experiencing a lack of energy after you come home from work at night. Consider enlisting the help of family and friends. They may be very willing to assist you in creating your dream. Let me stress that your support network will be one of the single most important aspects of creating your business, so begin to identify the people you can call on for help.
When Peter Uberoth was organizing the 1984 Olympics, he was asked if he really knew what he was getting himself into. After all, this was a monumental task&emdash;one that would take considerable energy as well as time away from his family. He reportedly reached for his rolodex and said, "See all these names? These are all the people I've helped over the years. And I'm willing to bet that a majority of them will be more than willing to help me now that I need it. These people will help me put on the Olympics!" He also estimated that he would accumulate another 400-500 names in his support network before the Olympics was over! So lose the "lone ranger" mentality. It's detrimental thinking that will only hinder your progress and make reaching your goals that much more difficult.
Tom
Tom Foley is a personal coach, seminar leader, and licensed clinical psychologist who has shared the concepts of "coaching" with hundreds of people. This background, coupled with his former career as a professional musician, has allowed him to utilize his creative spirit to help people achieve their goals and pursue their life dreams. He works with people from a variety of backgrounds, including artists, writers, people in transition, and entrepreneurs.
Coaching, which is conducted by telephone, is an extremely convenient process, and Tom's fee options make it affordable for most people. For information about personal coaching sessions, classes or workshops, call Tom at (425) 482-3022 or visit his website: http://www.angelfire.com/ca/LifeQuest. Questions for the "Dear Coach" column may be sent to him via email: indialogue@aol.com
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