Be a Self-Starter
Are you tired of all the advertisements for “coaches that can help you achieve your dreams”? The business coaches who have only ever run a business coaching business? The life coaches who spend all day posting vanity pictures on social media? I think I’ll keep my $500, but thanks for reaching out.
Far too often, I see people falling into this trap—well-intentioned individuals who are taken advantage of by people who seem to have it all on social media but don’t have their act together by any stretch of the imagination. This post is not meant to disparage life coaches, business coaches, or any other types of coaches. Coaches generally fall into one of three categories:
Well-intentioned coaches who know what they’re doing (these are worth every penny).
Well-intentioned coaches who think they know what they’re doing.
Snake-oil salesmen who promise a quick fix for [fill in the blank].
Unfortunately for the world and all who live here, numbers 2 and 3 far outweigh the first, and only good, option.
So, where am I going with this? Did I just want to rant about all the poor-quality coaches out there pretending to have it all figured out? In earnestness, sort of—yes. But more importantly, I want to tell you something that is so obvious, yet so few people take advantage of it. It’s called being a self-starter.
The term is pretty self-explanatory, but to put it concisely, being a self-starter means taking full responsibility for learning a skill, accomplishing a goal, or both. With all the world's resources at your fingertips on the internet, it is easier than ever to do this.
Want to learn to write code? YouTube has no shortage of tutorials to help you get started (not to mention the thousands of sites dedicated to this very task).
Want to run a marathon but don’t know where to start? Google “how to train for a marathon if you’re a beginner.”
Looking to grow your business? Start networking with like-minded individuals, read every useful book you can get your hands on, and implement what you learn.
Hopefully, you get the point I’m trying to make: you don’t need a coach to get started. You may get down the road a year from now, after you’ve done your best as a “self-starter,” and realize there are certain aspects of what you’re doing that would benefit from having a coach. If this turns out to be the case, that’s more than fine. You’ll be in a good position to pick a coach based on what you have learned over the past year. This greatly reduces the likelihood of wasting money on a coach who doesn’t know what they’re doing.
Below are some tips on being a self-starter:
Set Clear, Attainable Goals
Before you dive into learning or accomplishing something new, define what success looks like for you. What do you want to achieve in the next three months, six months, or a year? Break larger goals into smaller, actionable steps. Setting clear goals helps you measure progress and stay motivated, even when things get tough.
Leverage Free and Paid Resources Wisely
The internet is overflowing with free resources—tutorials, eBooks, courses, forums—but not all content is created equal. Be selective. Find high-quality content, whether free or paid, that resonates with your learning style. Sometimes, investing in a well-structured course or book can save you countless hours of piecing together information from scattered sources.
Create a Routine and Stick to It
One of the biggest challenges in being a self-starter is staying disciplined. Set a consistent routine for working toward your goals, whether that’s learning, practicing a skill, or working on your side project. Time-block your day or week to dedicate specific hours to your growth, and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.
Seek Out Communities
Just because you’re a self-starter doesn’t mean you need to go at it completely alone. Find online communities, local groups, or networking opportunities where you can connect with others who share your interests. Engaging with people on a similar journey can provide encouragement, fresh ideas, and sometimes even collaboration opportunities. This will give the added benefit of introducing you to people who can hold you accountable for your goals (and you can likely do the same for them).
Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool
It’s easy to get discouraged when you hit roadblocks or fail, but that’s part of the process. Don’t see failure as a sign to quit; see it as feedback. Learn what went wrong, adjust your approach, and keep going. Often, the most valuable lessons come from the mistakes you make along the way.
Reevaluate and Adapt
After a few months, take stock of your progress. Are you hitting your goals? Is your approach working, or is it time to change tactics? Being a self-starter is as much about adapting as it is about taking initiative. Be open to shifting your strategies when needed, and don’t hesitate to pivot if something isn’t working.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, being a self-starter is about empowerment. You don’t have to rely on anyone else to make things happen—you have the tools, the discipline, and the curiosity to get started right now. Coaches can be helpful guides, but they should never be the gatekeepers to your success. You’re the one in control, and there’s no better time to take charge than today.
So, before you hand over hundreds or thousands of dollars to someone promising to "change your life," ask yourself: What can I do to change my life? Chances are, you’ll realize you’re far more capable than you think.
