Identity gets in the way

I recently picked up a book called Coach Builder by a favorite author of mine, Donald Miller. This book came out more than a year ago, but I resisted buying it because I didn’t want to become a “coach.” That title doesn’t necessarily fit the long-term career vision I have for myself, so I left the book in my cart. 

After a few fun and successful consulting calls with freelance creatives, I realized that maybe there were some things to learn about the consulting and coaching business model. So I picked up the book, and am gaining sharp insights on the business, and different ways to optimize my marketing. These playbooks aren’t just helpful for the coaching business; they’ll be helpful for my other lines of business as well. 

It’s a shame that I didn’t read this book when I wast came out. I might have set up my digital products business better, sooner. I resisted it because I didn’t want to “be a coach.” It got me thinking how often we let notions of identity get in the way of our growth. You may not want to be a “coach” (or an “entrepreneur,” or a “runner,” or a “speaker). You don’t have to be. But don’t let an egotistical idea of identity keep you from the benefits of learning.