182: When Making Money Stopped Being Easy For Me (And How You Can Overcome It Too)

Written By Allison Nelson

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As an online coach, you’ve probably felt the highs and lows of making money in this space. Maybe you’ve hit a stride before—clients coming in, revenue flowing—and then, out of nowhere, the momentum stops. I’ve been there. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago when I went from making money easily to suddenly feeling stuck. But here’s the thing: you can overcome this, and I’m going to share exactly how.

The Roller-coaster of Success in Coaching

When I started my coaching business in 2018, everything felt hard. The learning curve was steep—figuring out how to show up online, battling imposter syndrome, and navigating the world of entrepreneurship. But eventually, I hit a flow. By 2020 and 2021, I was making money fast. The business was thriving. Then, the bubble burst.

Like many coaches, I began to wonder: *What happened? Why did it stop being easy?* And more importantly: *How do I get back on track?*

Step 1: Make Peace with the Past

Before you can move forward, you’ve got to make peace with what’s happened. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to "fix" the past—overanalyzing where things went wrong, wishing you could have done things differently. But all that does is keep you stuck.

Instead, ask yourself two crucial questions:

1. Is it true? – The narrative in your head—"I’m a one-hit wonder," or "I’m not cut out for this"—is it *really* true? Look at the clients you’ve helped and the success you’ve had. The answer is likely no.

2. Is it helpful? – Even if you feel like you’ve made mistakes, holding onto them doesn’t help you grow. It’s time to let go.

Once I forgave myself for the past, I could finally start to move forward.

Step 2: Redefine What “Enough” Means

One of the biggest traps we fall into as coaches is chasing arbitrary income goals. In the online coaching world, we glorify the $50k, $100k months. But do you actually *need* that to live the life you want?

Here’s a hard truth: more money doesn’t always equal more happiness. For me, I had to ask myself, “What’s enough?” Enough for me meant security for my family, a comfortable home, and time to enjoy life beyond the business.

*What does “enough” look like for you?* Once you answer that, you’ll find it easier to create offers and run your business in a way that aligns with your values—without burning out.

Step 3: Rebuild Your Business with Intention

After redefining what I truly wanted, I rebuilt my business from the ground up. This meant rethinking my offers, marketing strategies, and how I sell. The change wasn’t just necessary—it was refreshing. I no longer felt pressured to chase metrics that didn’t matter to me. Instead, I focused on what served my clients and allowed me to live the life I wanted.

If you’re feeling stuck, it’s time to assess whether your business is aligned with your values. Are your offers priced appropriately? Are you setting your clients up for success? These are the kinds of questions you need to answer if you want to get out of your rut.

Step 4: Forgive Yourself and Move Forward

Running a business can come with a lot of guilt, especially if you’re juggling multiple roles—coach, parent, partner, homemaker. Maybe you’ve sacrificed time with your family to chase a business goal. Maybe you’ve neglected your health in the pursuit of success. I’ve been there too.

But here’s what I realized: Forgiving yourself is crucial. Forgive yourself for the missed moments, the missteps, and the sacrifices. Once you do, you’ll free up the mental and emotional energy to focus on what truly matters.

Can You Really Have It All?

As a coach, you might be asking: *Can I have it all?* Can you run a successful business, be present with your family, and still take time for yourself? The answer is yes—but only if you define what "all" means for you.

For me, it’s about balancing my business with my life. It’s being able to read a book during the day, cook dinner for my family, and still show up for my clients. It’s knowing that I don’t need to sacrifice one for the other.

Overcome the Money Struggles and Reclaim Your Business

If making money doesn’t feel easy right now, don’t panic. It’s a temporary phase. By reassessing your priorities, making peace with the past, and setting intentional goals, you can find your flow again. Remember, the online coaching business is full of possibilities—you just need to take control and shape it in a way that aligns with your values.

Take this as your permission slip to build a business that works for *you*—one that gives you financial security without sacrificing your health, relationships, or happiness.

I hope this helps you on your journey. Remember, you *can* overcome these challenges and get back to making money—without losing yourself in the process.

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Allison Nelson
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