Running habits...
Through the wonders of modern technology, I’ve been able to deliver my agency coaching throughout the recent lockdowns. In fact I’m pleased to say I’ve been busier than ever.
When I’ve not been on the end of a Zoom call, I’ve tried to do my best to keep up with some form of exercise. My local gym has been closed of course, so this digital agency coach has become something of a runner.
I can’t say I like running. Those that know me well will know that I’m not exactly built for it. I do however, like the buzz and satisfaction you get after a run. I also appreciate the opportunity it gives me to clear my mind and focus on something very simple; just putting one foot in front of the other. I guess I’m not alone in gaining satisfaction from either of these things, but one aspect of my running does appear to be a little unusual. I like to run the same route every time I go out.
My determination to stick to the same routine surprises and infuriates every other runner I know. My wife for one is incredulous that I don’t want more variety in my running repertoire. “I just don’t know how you run the same route day in day out!”, she says. Maybe it’s because I’m a creature of habit? Maybe it’s because I’m too focussed on just getting it over with?
Whatever the reason, I’m guessing you’re asking yourself what this has to do with digital agency coaching and running agencies? Well, read on, I’ll try and pick up the pace a little.
Good habits...
As a digital agency coach, the people I work with people are not only marketing experts, they’re also entrepreneurs. There are many positive qualities of being an entrepreneur, but one thing that can hold them back is an over active mind. Like most business owners, agency founders are often excited and stimulated by new ideas and new thinking. This is drives them to take risks and innovate. It’s crucial to success. But this mindset also comes with drawbacks. I’m often forced to confront my clients with the fact that being a “magpie” and always looking for shiny new things, is not the key to running a successful digital agency.
The key to running a successful agency is not constantly coming up with new things and changing direction. It’s having a plan and executing it consistently. Setting a running route and putting in the miles day after day if you like. Running a set route keeps you on the right path. It keeps you focused and stops you getting distracted. Equally importantly, is putting in the miles day after day. It’s habit forming and brings consistency. It enables you to constantly learn and improve on what you do (and how you do it).
Not everybody welcomes this news, but as James Clear puts it in his excellent book Atomic Habits, “The greatest threat to success is not failure…but boredom”.
Breaking habits...
A key part of my agency coaching then is helping my clients establish clear goals, plan a route and, crucially, help them to stay focused and on track. My task is to help them avoid the stresses and distractions of the day-to-day agency obstacle course and keep them focused on grinding out those daily miles and improving their technique and performance.
Is this the end of the running cliches then? I’m afraid not.
You see my lockdown running experience has taught me something new. Its taught me that developing good habits is important. Its taught me that having a goal and a route to achieve it is vital. But its also taught me that occasionally you need to break things up a little. You have to avoid stagnation.
During my running I’ve noticed that as happy as I am to run the same route day after day, after a period of time, rather than become easier, it starts to get harder. The daily route seems longer. The hills seem a little steeper than usual.
I’m not sure what causes this, but I do know how to stop it. Whenever I start to feel like my running is becoming difficult, I make a change. Even running the same route the opposite way around a couple of times, helps to break the cycle and reinvigorate my tired muscles (and mind). I get even greater results from running a slightly different route and pushing myself a little further or higher.
In short, I’ve learned that a change is as good as a rest. After making a change, when you then get back on the tried and trusted path you feel stronger, both mentally and physically.
Agency Coaching
Unfortunately, its not always possible to spot when you need to make a change. When you’re running for exercise its easy to spot when you’re feeling fatigued. When you’re running an agency, it’s not always as easy to identify when you’re stuck in a rut or have reached a plateau. Sometimes you need some help to spot the symptoms. Sometimes you need some encouragement to make that change. That’s where my agency coaching comes in.
My primary role is still to enable my clients to focus on an objective, develop a strategy and keep them accountable for delivering to a plan. This won’t change, even if it means encouraging and pushing them to do some of the dull and boring stuff exceptionally well week in week out.
My secondary role is to challenge them when the time is right. To not allow fatigue to set in and to help them switch gears now and again.
When people ask me what I do I usually say “agency coaching”. But you could say that I’m in the business of making – and breaking – habits for people that run agencies.
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