You can lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink
Early this year I met with a contractor who was complaining about his lack of success in his business. He attended a seminar I held with another coach and this contractor said he wanted to take his business to the next level. We met separately after the seminar to review his compelling reasons for moving forward and he agreed it was time to work on his business. He said he was sick and tired of losing out to other companies and being used as an unpaid consultant. He is the typical contractor wearing all the hats with little time for himself or his family.
He said he would start his coaching in the spring and would invest in coaching and learning best practices to properly align his business with other successful contracting companies. Spring came and he put it off and said he was too busy and didn't want to invest the money in learning how to develop systems which he agreed he needed and wanted.
Last week I met with the other coach and he was there complaining again that he had a lousy year and didn't make enough money to cover the bills. He said he was busy but didn't charge enough and got overwhelmed.
The other coach said to him well do you think its time to work with a coach to straighten out your business?
He said well I am still considering my options. I know I should but I am like a sponge. I am soaking up all the information and still have enough absorbing capacity in my sponge. You coaches are right and I know I should start educating and training myself. I didn't make enough money this year but next year will be different.
Then our contractor friend left and us coaches looked at each other and said he's a great talent and does great work. He could have a very successful company if he only learned some basic business skills and systems.
And the other coach said; " I hope he doesn't run out of absortion room in his sponge before he goes out of business and gets stuck with paying for all his equipment he just bought." and the coach added " you can the lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink"
Does this sound like you or a contractor you know?
Do you think this guy should hire a coach, work for someone else or find a different career?
Why is it that contractors who know and admit they should work on their business don't?
Let us know what you think.
Mark