Coaching Tools for Driven Entrepreneurs

It’s a familiar feeling for many entrepreneurs: They reach a respectable level of outward success, but those achievements don’t translate into inner satisfaction. 

They hit every milestone, surpass every business goal, and reach the “top of the mountain” — only to be greeted by a sense of emptiness. This disconnect between outward achievement and inner well-being is a common struggle, leaving even the most driven individuals feeling unfulfilled.

Gino Wickman, renowned author of “Traction” and “Shine,” understands this challenge intimately. Through his work, he reveals how the relentless pursuit of business goals often overshadows the crucial need for inner growth.

Wickman’s “10 Disciplines” framework provides a solution — a roadmap for entrepreneurs to cultivate inner strength and resilience alongside their business aspirations. This approach paves the way for a more sustainable, fulfilling kind of success that aligns outward achievements with genuine inner peace.

Understanding the Driven Entrepreneur’s Dilemma

Resilience — that ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and persevere through challenges — is crucial for any entrepreneur. But the demands of entrepreneurship, such as long hours, constant uncertainty, and high-pressure situations, require a unique breed of resilience. Entrepreneurs are wired differently, driven by an internal force that fuels their ambition and pushes them to achieve.

Wickman refers to this as the “I am Driven” discovery, acknowledging both the gifts and the shadows of this personality type. As he explains, “The blessing is that we have superhuman stamina. We’re the creators of most things on the planet… the superheroes that are saving the day all day, solving big problems.” Yet, this same drive, if left unchecked, can lead to internal turmoil and strained relationships. Wickman doesn’t shy away from the potential damage, noting that driven individuals “tend to leave a black trail behind us” in their pursuit of success.

As a coach working with driven entrepreneurs, you’ve likely witnessed this dynamic firsthand. The clients who push themselves tirelessly, who are brimming with innovative ideas, may also be the ones struggling with burnout, self-criticism, or difficulty setting boundaries. 

By understanding the “why” behind these struggles — the inherent nature of the driven entrepreneur — you can tailor your coaching to provide the targeted support they need to thrive both personally and professionally.

“10 Disciplines” as a Framework for Entrepreneurial Resilience

While understanding the inner workings of driven entrepreneurs is crucial, it’s equally important to equip them with practical tools to navigate their unique challenges. This is where Wickman’s “10 Disciplines” framework comes in, providing a holistic approach to maximizing energy, impact, and inner peace.

10-Year Thinking

This framework encourages a long-term perspective, which is also crucial for navigating short-term challenges. Thinking in 10-year timeframes allows entrepreneurs to make decisions aligned with their long-term vision rather than reacting to immediate pressures.

Coaching Strategies:

• Help clients define their 10-year vision, breaking it down into smaller, actionable milestones.
• Encourage them to revisit this vision regularly, especially when facing challenges, as a source of motivation and clarity.

Take Time Off: 130 Days/Year

This discipline might seem counterintuitive for driven individuals, yet it’s crucial for preventing burnout and enhancing emotional resilience. Wickman emphasizes the importance of rest and rejuvenation, advocating for 130 days off per year. This doesn’t just mean vacation; it’s about consciously disconnecting from work to recharge.

Coaching Strategies:

• Help clients identify activities that genuinely energize them outside of work and encourage them to schedule these into their week.
• Work with them to create boundaries around work hours and communication, ensuring they have dedicated time for rest and rejuvenation.

Know Thyself

Self-awareness is a foundational aspect of resilience. Understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, and natural instincts allows entrepreneurs to make more informed decisions and align their actions with their authentic selves.

Coaching Strategies:

• Encourage journaling, mindfulness practices, or personality assessments (like Kolbe!) to help clients gain deeper insights into themselves.
• Guide them to identify patterns in their behavior, particularly in stressful situations, and develop healthy coping strategies.

Be Still

Incorporating stillness and mindfulness into daily routines significantly enhances resilience. Being still clears the mind, manages stress, and maintains emotional equilibrium.

Coaching Strategies:

• Guide clients through simple mindfulness exercises they can incorporate into their daily routines.
• Encourage them to create a calming morning ritual or schedule short breaks throughout the day for stillness and reflection.

Know Your 100%

Understanding one’s work capacity is crucial for maintaining resilience. Knowing your limits and avoiding overcommitment helps prevent burnout and ensures sustained productivity.

Coaching Strategies:

• Help clients track their energy levels throughout the day and identify peak performance times.
• Encourage them to prioritize essential tasks during peak hours and delegate or postpone less critical activities.

Say No Often

Setting boundaries and learning to say no are critical for managing energy and focus. By saying no to non-essential tasks and distractions, entrepreneurs can concentrate on what truly matters.

Coaching Strategies:

• Help clients define their core values and use these as guiding principles when evaluating opportunities.
• Encourage them to delegate tasks that don’t align with their strengths or long-term goals.
• Provide scripts or practice scenarios for saying no gracefully but firmly.

Don’t Do $25/Hour Work

Entrepreneurs need to focus on high-value tasks that align with their financial goals. This discipline emphasizes the importance of focusing on activities that provide the highest return on investment.

Coaching Strategies:

• Help clients analyze their current workflow and identify tasks that can be automated, delegated, or eliminated.
• Guide them to set clear priorities and allocate their time accordingly, focusing on activities that move the needle.

Prepare Every Night

This seemingly simple discipline can significantly reduce stress and boost productivity. By taking a few minutes each evening to plan the following day, entrepreneurs can approach their work with greater focus, clarity, and intention.

Coaching Strategies:

• Encourage clients to establish a consistent evening routine that includes reviewing their schedule, prioritizing tasks, and gathering necessary materials.
• Help them identify potential roadblocks and develop strategies to overcome them.

Put Everything in One Place

Organizational clarity is essential for resilience. Keeping all information and tasks organized in one place avoids confusion and ensures easy access to what is needed.

Coaching Strategies:

• Help clients choose a project management system, note-taking app, or organizational approach that resonates with their work style.
• Guide them to declutter their physical and digital workspaces to create a sense of calm and focus.

Be Humble

This final discipline reminds entrepreneurs that success is not a solo endeavor. By cultivating humility and gratitude, they can build stronger relationships, foster a positive work environment, and navigate challenges with grace and perspective.

Coaching Strategies:

• Encourage clients to express gratitude regularly to their team members, clients, and mentors.
• Guide them to view setbacks as learning opportunities and to celebrate the successes of others.

Final Thoughts: Empowering Entrepreneurial Journeys

As a business coach, you play a vital role in guiding your clients toward a more fulfilling and sustainable version of entrepreneurial success. By understanding the unique dynamics of the “driven” personality — their incredible strengths and potential pitfalls — you can tailor your coaching to meet their specific needs. 

Ready to dive deeper into these transformative insights? Listen to the full podcast episode featuring Gino Wickman, “Finding Freedom: Helping Entrepreneurs Shine,” to gain a deeper understanding of the 10 Disciplines and their impact on entrepreneurial well-being.

Interested in taking your coaching practice to the next level? Explore the Kolbe Certification™ program and discover how to leverage the power of instinctive strengths to empower your clients’ success. WATCH: many of your questions about becoming a Kolbe Certified Consultant will be answered in this free info webinar.