Before you put in your two weeks’ notice and trade your paycheck for a life coaching business plan, it’s important to know if you’re really ready.
The good news?
If you want to leave your 9–5 for life coaching, you don’t have to feel ready.
But there are some definite signs it might be time.
This post will help you assess core indicators of readiness, including mindset, purpose, and planning.
But first, remember that this isn’t just a box ticking activity designed to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do– it’s designed to help you create awareness about where more time, growth, or support might be necessary.
No matter what, you deserve a fulfilling, abundant career that makes a difference in the world.
So take a deep breath.
Inhale curiosity, calm, and compassion.
Exhale doubt and fear.
And let’s get curious about where you are right now.
Key Signs You’re Ready to Become a Coach and Say Goodbye to your 9-5
Sign 1: Your work no longer feels fulfilling
We all have “those days” at work when things feel tired and unrewarding.
But if you’re having more of “those days” than days when you feel happy and fulfilled?
That may be your first sign.
Here’s what that could look like for you:
- Your work is “fine” and you know what you’re doing, but you often wonder if there’s a better way you could be spending your time
- Your job looks good on paper, but it doesn’t feel meaningful or sustainable
- You often experience “Sunday scaries” and dread going to work on Monday
- When it’s time for meetings at work, you want to scream “ANOTHER ONE?!”
- Your company’s values feel at odds with your own personal values
Just because work isn’t as fulfilling anymore, doesn’t mean anything is wrong, but it could mean you’re ready for a change.
We can be grateful for each chapter in our lives, and still turn the page to see what’s new that awaits.
Sign 2: You’re already coaching others without realizing it (or just not getting paid for it)
Even without formal training, many people who become coaches notice similar patterns in their lives.
It might be that others gravitate towards you for perspective or guidance or you find yourself drawn to helping others.
Do any of these sound familiar to you?
- People often come to you for advice, a listening ear, or encouragement
- You feel a spark of positive energy when you find a way to help someone connect the dots in their lives
- Seeing others succeed is one of your favorite things, and you love finding ways to help others reach their goals
If you’re already shaking your head and thinking, “Yes, that’s me!” It’s a good indicator that you’re meant to help others in more significant ways.
There’s a reason people are drawn to you, and there’s a reason you feel naturally fulfilled when you’re able to support them.
Sign 3: You crave more time and freedom
The freedom to spend time doing what you love, with the people you love, is something most of us can relate to.
And we’re at a time where this isn’t just possible for an elite few, but for many people around the world.
If you find yourself scrambling to turn off your alarm clock each morning when you’d much rather sleep in, or shedding a few inner tears when your company’s limited vacation policy is over…freedom could be calling.
You might be at a point in your life where you’d love to:
- Work from anywhere, instead of wherever is “company approved”
- Make your own hours, so you can take time for yourself, friends, and family
- Run a business that supports your life (rather than a job that overtakes it)
- Have the final say with who you work with, when, and under what terms
I think that last point is an important part of working as a life coach that many people don’t consider.
When you successfully transition from corporate to life coach, you get to choose your clients. That means you surround yourself with people who make you smile and help you fulfill your highest potential.
Sign 4: You’re committed to your own growth
Anyone can say they want a different career, but this is an important sign that you’re actually someone who plans to make it happen.
If you’re willing to:
- Spend time thinking intentionally about where you’d love to be in life and business
- Recognize there’s always more to learn, and the best coaches are open to learning more
- Invest time, energy, and resources into making your coaching dreams come true, even if you’re not 100% sure how it will look on the “other side”
- Do the inner work so you can be self aware and better support your clients
Then you might be ready to start planning how to become a full-time life coach.
Sign 5: You’re ready for guidance and structure
The best intentions are much more likely to succeed when you have a clear idea of your next steps. You might recognize this last sign if you’re willing to:
- Explore different mentors and see who you feel aligned with
- Decide what structure and format feels best for your journey
- After deciding, actually go for it!
In short, you recognize that it’s time to get organized and do the thing!
It takes time and energy to leave your 9–5 for life coaching.
And it doesn’t all have to be done in a single day or week.
But breaking it down into baby steps and taking just one step in that direction every day is how we get big things done as Brave Thinkers.
Are all the signs pointing to getting ready to leave your 9–5 for life coaching?
Congratulations!
Now that you’ve identified the signs in your life, it’s time to actually learn about how to become a full-time life coach.
And your next step is already right here. It’s clear, time-tested, and free!
Join the Life Coach Accelerator 5-Day Challenge!
Our specially designed accelerator helps you create a step-by-step plan to move from searching for signs, to creating your coaching success.
And if you’ve only noticed signs 1-3 in yourself, this is just the thing that can help you notice if signs 4 & 5 feel aligned for you.
Sign up for free mindset, purpose, and planning support!
What if I Know How to Become a Full-Time Life Coach, But I’m Scared to Start?
It’s normal to feel fear!
You might be thinking:
What if I fail?
Will I regret it if I go for it?
What if I’m not good enough?
Every successful life coach had some or all of these fears, myself included.
But the coaches who succeed are the ones who acknowledge their fear but don’t let it take the wheel when making their life choices.
They listen to that still, small voice of their dream and try anyway.
They know that making this sort of change starts with a dream and a vision, but then requires laying some groundwork.
They learn that starting before you feel ready is the way to make things happen.
Here’s how Amy, a single mother working two jobs, transitioned to become a thriving full-time life coach.
How Amy Made the Transition from Corporate to Life Coach
Raising 3 kids while working 2 jobs, Amy was feeling unfulfilled at work. She was struggling with office politics and longed to leave corporate America, feeling called to make a bigger difference in people’s lives.
But Amy was worried.
She felt it would be irresponsible to make a career change at this point in her life, especially since Amy was a single parent and had to save for her children’s college educations.
Even still, she felt called to coaching.
Amy said she tentatively began “…dabbling in a coaching business on the side, but I didn’t know how to build it. I felt totally divided and spread thin”
How She Transitioned From Side Hustle to Successful Coaching Business
Amy recognized the first four signs that she was ready to become a coach, but it was when she got serious about sign #5 that things began to change.
She finally found a coach certification program that taught her how to build her coaching business without burning out.
“Now, I get to wake up every day, knowing what my focus is.
Plus, I have overcome some big fears!
I realized… ‘I can do this’ and ‘I can get better and better, with ease and fun!’”
Plus, Amy made some terrific results by following the signs and skills she learned.
“I resigned from my old job. I have delivered dozens of vision workshops, woohoo! I’ve spoken before audiences of up to 200 people! I have tripled my coaching income, and replaced the earnings of my previous job. I have generated $105,000 in income since I first became certified and I earned my first corporate coaching contract for $50M!”
In What Ways Are You Like Amy?
Amy’s results may not seem typical, but her circumstances might be familiar to you:
- Feeling unfulfilled at work
- Fear of failure
- Stretched thin
- Worried about finances
- Not sure about the business side of things
Yet she followed that voice inside that wanted more, and now hundreds of lives are better because of her!
And here’s another way you can be like Amy…become part of the Brave Thinking community with our free 5 Day Life Coach Accelerator.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
Just bring the courage to say yes to your calling and take that first action toward becoming the coach you’re meant to be.
👉 Join the Free 5-Day Life Coach Certification Challenge.
It’s a transformational experience where you’ll:
- Discover the proven framework top life coaches use to attract clients and make a lasting impact
- Build your confidence as a coach (even if you’re brand new)
- Clarify your next step toward building a purpose-driven career you love
This is your time. Your purpose is waiting.
✨ Reserve my spot in the 5-Day Life Coach Certification Challenge now.
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