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Myth #1- I Don’t Have It All Together— Does That Disqualify Me As a Coach?

Debunking the Myth: "I Need to Have It All Together to Be a Great Coach"


Hey there, friends! Today, I want to tackle a myth that I hear so often in my coaching sessions—a belief that holds far too many coaches back: "I need to have everything in my life figured out to be a great coach."


Let’s get real for a moment. Many of us have bought into this idea that to help others, we must first achieve some perfect version of ourselves. But I’m here to tell you—loud and clear—that this is a lie. Not just a little white lie, but a big, heavy myth that can stop you from stepping into your calling as a coach.


The Truth About Coaching: It’s Not About Being Perfect


Coaching isn’t about being flawless or having all the answers. It’s about creating a space for your clients—a space where they feel safe to explore their challenges, dreams, and next steps. As a coach, your role isn’t to show off how perfect your life is; it’s to guide others in discovering their own solutions.


Think about it: when someone hires a coach, they aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for empathy, understanding, and someone who “gets it.” Authenticity and empathy are far more valuable than any illusion of having it all together.


Breaking Down the Myth


Let me share a common scenario I see with many coaches: A coach hesitates to market themselves or take on new clients because they’re struggling in a particular area of their own life. Maybe their finances aren’t perfect, or they haven’t hit a certain weight-loss goal.


They think, “If I’m not there yet, how can I help others?”


But here’s the thing—being “in process” makes you more relatable. Clients don’t need someone who has it all figured out; they need someone who remembers what it’s like to struggle and grow. They need someone who understands their challenges and can help guide them through it.


Why Authenticity Matters in Coaching


The most effective coaches aren’t the ones who claim to be perfect. They’re the ones who are real. When you show up as your authentic self, you create trust. Clients can sense when you’re genuine, and they’re more likely to connect with you and open up about their own struggles.


Perfection creates distance; authenticity creates connection.


Lessons from My Journey


I’ve fallen into this myth myself. I’ve wondered, Who am I to coach others when my own business isn’t perfect? But you know what I’ve learned? My clients don’t need me to be perfect. They need me to show up as I am, right where I am.


The feedback I hear most often from clients is that they appreciate how I can relate to their challenges. I’m not speaking from a pedestal; I’m speaking from the messy middle of my own journey. And that’s exactly what makes me effective.


The Power of Imperfect Action


If you’re someone who struggles with all-or-nothing thinking, let me offer you this encouragement: you don’t have to have everything together to start. Progress happens when you take imperfect action. Moving from “nothing” to “something” is the only way to eventually reach “everything.” Stop waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect version of yourself. Just start.


What Clients Really Want


Your clients aren’t looking for a coach who’s never made a mistake. They want someone who:

  • Can hold space for their challenges without judgment.

  • Knows what it’s like to struggle and grow.

  • Offers guidance and encouragement as they navigate their own path.


When you let go of the pressure to be perfect, you free yourself to connect with your clients on a deeper level. You become a model of humility, adaptability, and growth.


An Actionable Step for You


Take a moment today to create a list of your growth areas. Reflect on how those areas of imperfection might actually help you relate to your clients. For example, if you’ve struggled with confidence, that might make you the perfect coach for someone who’s navigating similar insecurities.


Friend... you don’t have to have it all together to be a great coach. Your imperfections aren’t disqualifications—they’re your superpowers. They make you human, relatable, and real.

So let go of the myth. Take imperfect action. Trust that the right clients will be drawn to you, not because you’re flawless, but because you’re authentic and empathetic.


Let’s move forward together, embracing the process and showing up as we are. The journey is where the magic happens.


Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll tackle another myth and uncover more truths to help you step into your calling as a coach.


You’ve got this!


Reader Challenge: Embrace Your Growth Areas


This week, I challenge you to take a small but meaningful step to embrace your imperfections as a coach:

  1. Create Your Growth List: Take 10–15 minutes to write down 3–5 areas where you feel like you’re “in process.” These are areas you’re still growing in, learning from, or figuring out.

  2. Reflect on Connection Points: For each growth area, ask yourself, How does this make me more relatable to my clients? How might my journey in this area help me connect with someone who’s struggling?

  3. Share Authentically: Choose one of these areas and share about it—whether in a social media post, a conversation with a friend, or a reflection in your journal. Be open about how you’re still learning and why that makes you better equipped to guide others.

  4. Bonus Step: Take an imperfect action toward one of your goals this week. Whether it’s launching that offer you’ve been holding back, reaching out to a potential client, or showing up online as your real, unpolished self, just take one step forward.

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