I know.
You’re probably thinking, “Chris, aren’t you the one helping people become coaches?”
Yes. Yes, I am.
But here’s the thing: I don’t believe in building something you’re not truly ready for, or stepping into a role that doesn’t align with your current season of life or business.
This blog isn’t here to talk you into becoming a coach. It’s here to help you get real about where you are right now and answer the deeper question:
“Should I be a coach right now?”
Because business coaching isn’t about trendy graphics, automation tools, or posting #CoachLife on Instagram.
It’s about transformation. It’s about leadership, service, and structure. And most of all, it’s about readiness.
So if you’re considering coaching as your next business move, let’s pause and take inventory.
Here are 11 honest reasons you might want to hold off on launching your coaching program for now.
11 Reasons You Might Not Be Ready (Yet)
1. You’ve never worked with a coach or mentor before.
It’s hard to deliver what you haven’t experienced yourself. Coaching isn’t just teaching. It’s holding space, challenging gently, and guiding someone through their own transformation.
2. You can’t commit 2–3 hours a week to build it.
This isn’t a “set it and forget it” side hustle. It’s a business shift that requires focused time, especially if you want to launch with confidence.
3. You don’t have a consistent, successful service-based business yet.
If your own foundation is shaky, it’s not time to teach others yet. But when you’ve got a repeatable process and proven results? That’s when coaching can thrive.
4. You don’t actually enjoy your business right now.
Burned out and resentful? Coaching from that place won’t serve anyone. Let’s get you aligned first.
5. You’re not clear on what makes your approach unique.
If you’re still figuring out your “secret sauce,” it might be too early to teach others how to replicate it.
6. You’re uncomfortable with visibility.
You don’t have to be loud, but you do need to be seen. Coaching requires presence, leadership, and the confidence to show up as a guide.
7. You think you have to do it all yourself.
Trying to build a course, set up your tech, write the content, and automate it all solo? That’s a one-way ticket to burnout. And thankfully, not how I roll. (More on that in a minute.)
8. You doubt the value of your expertise.
Even though others lean on you, you’re still wondering, “Is this enough?” That self-doubt can creep into your content, pricing, and delivery.
9. You’re already maxed out and unwilling to shift your schedule.
Coaching can give you more time and flexibility in the long run, but it requires intention and space at the start.
10. You assume coaching is just for influencers.
Listen, some of the highest-paid coaches out here are former dentists, tax consultants, even boutique owners teaching other shops how to scale.
11. You’re waiting for the “perfect time.”
Perfection is a myth. You’ll always have dishes in the sink and too many tabs open. Readiness matters more than perfect timing.
What to Do If You’re Ready (But Unsure)
Maybe you read this list and thought,
“Dang… that’s me.”
Or maybe you’re thinking,
“Actually, I think I’m ready… I just don’t know how to start.”
That’s exactly where I come in.
Inside the Serenity Done-For-You System, we guide entrepreneurs like you to:
- Turn your unique brilliance into a clear, step-by-step coaching framework
- Package it into a business coaching program that matches your energy and voice
- Launch it with full support—we handle the backend, the content, and the tech, so you don’t have to
In just 6 months, your coaching offer can move from idea to income. It will be fully built, fully supported, and ready to scale.
If you’re still asking, “Should I be a coach?” this is your next step.
👉 Book a free 15-minute call with a program creation specialist and let’s map out your next move together. You can also learn more about what my Serenity DFY System is all about here -→ https://chrismjames.com/the-serenity-client-system/
Because starting a coaching program isn’t just about making more money.
It’s about deeper impact, lasting legacy, and building something that truly serves.
You ready?
