Shelia Carroll, Life & Business Coach: "I Can Figure It Out On My Own"....But Why?

I hear this often in my coaching practice and even thought this way myself a time or two:

"I can figure it out on my own. I don't need anyone to tell me how to do this."

But, here's my question: Why should you have to when there's a smarter, faster path to business or career growth available to you?

If you’re like many hardworking, purpose-driven people, you’ve probably said (or thought to yourself) one of these phrases before:

“I can figure out how to start a business on my own.”

“I can build a side hustle by myself.”

“I can move my career forward without paying for a coach.”

“Why pay someone when I can just… Google it or watch a YouTube video on it?”

And technically you’re right. You can figure it out on your own.

But here’s the real question:

Why would you?

Why walk the long, confusing, trial-and-error road when you could shorten the journey, avoid costly mistakes, skip the years of guessing, and get strategic support that actually moves you forward?

In business, career growth, and life speed matters.

Clarity matters.

Accuracy matters.

Strategy matters.

And a coach helps you gain all of that in a fraction of the time.

Let’s break down the difference between “figuring it out alone” and figuring it out with a coach by your side.

1. Yes, you can do it alone, but it will take longer.

Most people waste months (or years) trying to piece things together:

Learning business structures
Figuring out pricing
Understanding profit margins
Trying random marketing strategies
Applying for jobs without a strategic plan
Not knowing what to highlight on a resume
Guessing what certifications would actually matter
Jumping from idea to idea with no roadmap

Without direction, it’s easy to stay busy but not productive.

A coach collapses the timeline. You don’t spend months researching. You receive answers, tools, structure, and clarity instantly.

The path is shorter, cleaner, and faster.

2. Doing it alone = costly mistakes.

Doing it with a coach = guided accuracy.

Trial and error teaches lessons but those lessons aren’t cheap.

Common solo-builder mistakes include:

Choosing the wrong business structure
Pricing too low and killing your profit
Wasting money on marketing that doesn’t convert
Building a brand that doesn’t speak to your audience
Picking the wrong career certification
Interviewing without knowing how to position yourself
Operating with unclear goals
Starting a business without industry research

A coach helps you make smart, strategic decisions upfront, so you don’t have to recover later.

When you invest in coaching, you’re not paying for information. You’re paying for:

✔ Direction
✔ Strategy
✔ Accuracy
✔ Clarity
✔ Experience
✔ Guidance
✔ Confidence

And that alone reduces the risk of failure dramatically.

**3. “I can do it on my own” often equals “I’m overwhelmed but don’t want to admit it.”**

Most people don’t lack potential. They lack:

Accountability
Structure
A personalized plan
Someone to challenge their blind spots
A clear roadmap
Someone to call out fear, procrastination, and excuses
A neutral, knowledgeable guide

A coach isn’t there to judge you. They’re there to hold you steady, support you, push you, and help you move forward intentionally.

4. SMART goals require SMART strategy.

People love saying,

“I just need to be disciplined.”

Discipline without direction becomes frustration.

When you work with a coach, you’re not just creating goals. You’re creating:

S.M.A.R.T. goals + S.M.A.R.T. strategy.

S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T – Time-Bound

But with coaching, you also add the other SMART:

S – Support
M – Mentorship
A – Accountability
R – Real Strategy
T – Transformation

That combination is where real results happen.

5. Coaching reduces risk and increases success.

Whether you're starting a business, launching a side hustle, changing careers, or stepping into leadership, you need more than ambition.

You need guidance.

You need someone who can help you:

Set up the foundation correctly
Navigate fear and doubt
Build a realistic action plan
Avoid undercharging
Prepare for evaluations, promotions, or pivots
Build consistent habits
Position yourself with confidence
Think strategically, not reactively

Coaching doesn’t take away your power. Instead, it multiplies it.

So, yes… you can do it alone, but you don’t shouldn’t have to.

Working with a coach is not an expense. It’s an investment designed to save you:

Time
Money
Energy
Stress
Missed opportunities
Costly mistakes

Your dreams deserve more than guesswork.
Your career deserves more than trial and error.

Your business deserves more than hope. All of it deserves strategy and support.

If you are ready to stop guessing and start growing, let’s work together.

Book your free introductory coaching call with me today by clicking on the BOOK NOW icon below. During the call, we’ll clarify your direction, create a strategic plan, and start moving you toward the future you’ve been imagining.

You bring the willingness.
I’ll bring the roadmap.
Together, we’ll build something powerful....together.