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Where the hell did this year go? If we're not careful, 2025 is going to race past us and we'll all be sleepwalking into 2026...
In this first part of a two-part series, I'm sharing the exact planning process I take my private coaching, LEGACY clients through at the end of each year. This isn't about hustle culture goals or pushing harder. It's about creating a year that actually reflects what YOU want, not what Instagram tells you your year should look like, not even what I tell you it should look like...
Because here's what I've learned from coaching really ambitious women: most of us don't fail because we lack strategy. We struggle because we're following strategies that weren't created by us, for us.
This is planning that matters. Planning that works. Planning on purpose.
What You'll Learn:
Resources Mentioned
Free Workshop:
Planning on Purpose: November 20th, 2025
Hosted with the Institute of Coaching Studies
(Replay available if you can't attend live)
SIGN UP HERE: https://coachingstudies.org/events/coaching-business-masterclass-2026-planning/
Book Recommendation:
"Free to Focus" by Michael Hyatt - exceptional resource for yearly planning and productivity
The Institute of Coaching Studies:
My absolute number one recommendation for coach training.
Reflection Prompts:
Before you start planning for next year, take time to reflect on 2025:
What worked this year that you want to do more of?
What didn't work that you're ready to let go of?
What did you wish you'd made time for?
What do you wish you'd never started?
Email your reflections to [email protected] - I'd love to hear what's coming up for you.
COMING NEXT WEEK...
Part 2 is coming next week, where we'll dive deep into the mindset piece: Who do you need to BE to bring your vision to life? What is your business asking from you in terms of how you show up?
This two-part series, combined with the free workshop on November 20th, will give you everything you need to make 2026 truly YOUR year.
About This Series
This is the exact planning process I've refined over years of working with ambitious women coaches. It works because it's not about doing more or pushing harder, it's about intentional, purpose-driven planning that creates a business supporting your life, not consuming it.
Connect With Gill
Have reflections to share? Questions about planning your year? Email me at [email protected]
Join the Planning on Purpose Workshop: https://coachingstudies.org/events/coaching-business-masterclass-2026-planning/
That permission slip you're waiting for... the one that says you're ready to charge what you're worth, claim your niche, or call yourself an expert? I'm afraid it's not coming. Not from a certification body, not from a certain number of clients, and definitely not from your follower count.
In this episode, I'm diving into why we crave external permission, the three permission traps keeping brilliant coaches stuck, and what self-permission actually looks like (spoiler: it's harder than waiting for validation, but it's the only way forward).
If you've been telling yourself "I'll be ready in January" or "once I have X, then I'll do Y", this one's for you.
What We Cover
The Permission Paradox
- Why we're trained to wait for external validation (and why it's keeping you small)
- My own journey from blocking everyone on social media to hosting this podcast
- The uncomfortable truth: staying small has to feel worse than the fear of being seen
The Three Permission Traps
Trap #1: The Qualification Trap
- Why collecting certifications won't make you feel ready
- The truth: clients buy transformations, not certificates
- You're qualified the moment you can deliver results
Trap #2: The Numbers Trap
- "Once I have 10 clients, then I'll raise my prices" (and other lies we tell ourselves)
- How you can build a six-figure practice with 500 engaged followers
- Premium pricing attracts better clients - not the other way around
Trap #3: The Timeline Trap
- "I'll be ready in six months" (no, you won't)
- Why perfect conditions will never exist
- Clarity comes from action, not contemplation
What Self-Permission Actually Looks Like
Self-permission isn't a feeling, it's a decision. And it requires:
The 5-Step Framework for Giving Yourself Permission
The Bottom Line
The permission you're waiting for isn't coming from out there. It's been inside you the whole time. You just have to be brave enough to claim it.
Stop waiting. Start building.
Your Invitation
What's one green light you've been waiting for that you could give yourself today? Not in January. Not when you have more clients. Not when you feel more confident. Today.
What would you do if you just... decided?
Work With Me
If this episode resonated and you're ready to stop waiting for permission, let's talk about MASTERY - my 18-week signature program for coaches who are done playing small.
MASTERY isn't just strategy (though you'll get a complete roadmap for building a highly profitable coaching practice). It's also the mindset work of backing yourself before you have external proof. Of embracing your unique edge. Of owning your value. Of moving forward even when it's uncomfortable.
Because here's what I know: you don't need more qualifications. You don't need more followers. You don't need more time.
You need clarity. You need strategy. You need someone who sees you and believes in what's possible when you bring the whole of who you are to your business... Let me help you.
Find out more: https://gillmoakes.com/mastery
CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillmoakes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillmoakes/
WORK WITH ME
Check out my FREE monthly workshops: https://www.gillmoakes.com/workshops
Check out MASTERY: https://gillmoakes.com/mastery
Book a call to explore the next right move for your business: https://go.oncehub.com/gillmoakeschat
Feeling overwhelmed by your coaching business? In this episode, I'm sharing my current obsession: simplification. I share why most coaches overcomplicate their businesses with too many offers, platforms, and tactics, and why less is actually more when it comes to building a sustainable, profitable coaching practice.
You'll learn why complexity is usually a symptom of lack of clarity, hear the story of why I closed a profitable membership to choose alignment over income, and get a practical framework for figuring out what to keep and what to let go in your business.
1. Does it energise you? Not every moment, but overall, does this thing light you up? Do you look forward to it? Or is it consistently draining you before you even begin?
2. Does it serve your ideal client? Not just any client, but YOUR ideal client. Does this offer, platform, or piece of content actually move them closer to the transformation they desire?
3. Does it move the needle? Is this thing actually contributing to your business growth? Is it bringing in revenue, building relationships, or establishing your authority? Or is it just busy work?
Remember: Being busy doesn't equal being effective.
Three ways to work with me (I've been doing this a while so I do have more than one offer):
Content ecosystem:
Everything points to the same transformation: bringing all of who you are to your work so you can grow a profitable, fulfilling business.
Your First Yes - is a simple guide for early-stage coaches struggling to find their first few paying clients. It focuses on the handful of actions that genuinely move the needle without the complexity of a massive marketing ecosystem.
Download here: https://www.gillmoakes.com/your-first-yes
Connect with me:
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review and share it with a coach friend who needs to hear this message.
Let me be honest with you: what worked in marketing a couple of years ago really isn't working anymore. And if you're someone who's still trying to crack that algorithm, who believes your success is entirely governed by the quality of your content, this probably isn't what you want to hear. But it's true.
I'm seeing genuinely brilliant coaches burning themselves out creating endless content. Posting multiple times a day. Creating daily reels. Sophisticated carousel posts. Graphics. Jumping on every trend. And they're just not seeing a return on that massive amount of effort.
Here's what's really happening: the coaching industry has created this closed shop of engagement. Your amazing content is mostly being seen by other coaches who are also stuck on the same hamster wheel. Not your actual ideal clients.
I'm not saying content doesn't matter. Of course it does. But it's ONE piece of a marketing ecosystem. Your overall marketing strategy needs to be bigger than just a content strategy if you want to build a business that's sustainable for the long haul.
Think of it like this: content marketing is the lighthouse - shining out, hoping to attract your ideal clients. But there's another side to that coin, and it's the one thing that's never stopped working. The thing that cannot be hacked, gamified, or outsourced.
Relationship marketing.
The searchlight piece where you go out and actively build relationships that lead to clients, collaborators, and introducers.
Just a few years ago, you could post consistently, use the right hashtags, jump on trending audios, and the algorithm would reward you with visibility. More reach meant more engagement, which led to new followers, discovery calls, and sales.
I'm not saying it was easy then, but it was more straightforward. More predictable. There was less noise and a hell of a lot less AI-generated crap clogging up everyone's feeds.
Now? Complete opposite.
The algorithms change every other week. No one knows what's getting prioritised anymore. Platforms are oversaturated. Our attention spans are tiny. And people are absolutely exhausted from posting constantly without seeing results that match their effort.
The uncomfortable truth: If your entire marketing strategy is built on content creation and visibility determined by an algorithm, you're building your business on quicksand.
Here's what I want you to think about: how are you spending your marketing energy right now?
If you're spending 80% of your time creating content and 20% building relationships, I want you to flip it completely.
Spend 20% of your time creating really good content that genuinely reflects who you are and what you believe. Then spend 80% of your time having actual conversations with people.
This looks like:
Showing up in DMs When someone sends a genuine connection message, reply with substance. Have an actual conversation. Don't automatically dismiss everyone as a pitch-slapper.
Leaving thoughtful comments Not just a thumbs up or heart emoji. Actually show you were interested in what they shared. Ask questions. Be curious about them.
Following up with people If someone told you a month ago they were working on something, check back in. Ask how it's going. Show them you remember. Show them you actually give a crap.
Remembering what matters When you build real relationships, you remember what each other says. You're not just talking about business, you're connecting as humans.
As you're building these connections, think about three types of relationships:
Potential clients - people who could work with you
Potential collaborators - people you could create with or partner with
Potential introducers - people who could refer clients to you
Not everyone needs to be a direct client. Build a genuine network across all three categories.
I hear you. You're thinking, "Gill, this sounds lovely, but I can't have individual conversations with everyone. I need something that works at scale."
Here's the thing: as a coach selling high-ticket programs, you absolutely need to be having individual conversations with the right people.
If you're in scaling mode with more leveraged offers, then yes, use paid advertising to drive enough traffic to override the algorithm. But for mid to high-ticket coaching? Conversations are non-negotiable.
It might not be the magic bullet everyone wants, but I'm telling you the truth.
I'd rather have a smaller, deeply engaged audience than a massive following of people who couldn't give a crap about what I do.
If you prioritise relationships over algorithms, your business will grow. Maybe not overnight. Not in a viral explosion. But steadily. Sustainably. In a way that feels good to you.
That's what we're all after, isn't it? A business that actually works for us. That feels aligned. That doesn't need us to be someone we're not or do things that drain the life out of us.
The answer isn't more content. It's more connection.
This has always been true. It's just that now it's becoming undeniable.
Marketing is a long game. Stop trying to shortcut relationships.
If this resonated with you, I'm running a workshop on exactly this topic: Relationships Over Algorithms. This is a small group session where we go deep into the foundations of how to build relationships that actually matter and how to bring the whole of who you are to those connections.
We then spend seven days together in a WhatsApp group afterwards continuing the conversation, practicing, and you can keep asking me questions.
Book your place now: https://www.gillmoakes.com/relationships-over-algorithms
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Relationships Over Algorithms Workshop: https://www.gillmoakes.com/relationships-over-algorithms
Work with Gill: gillmoakes.com
Connect with Gill
Instagram: @gillmoakes
LinkedIn: Gill Moakes
Website: gillmoakes.com
Want more episodes like this? Subscribe to ReWild Your Business wherever you listen to podcasts.
Let's be honest. Your relationship with money is probably one of the trickiest, most emotionally charged relationships you'll ever have. And I'm not talking about spreadsheets or financial planning here. I'm talking about how you feel about money, how you treat it, and how it's quietly shaping your decisions without you even realising it's happening.
This week, we're going back to something I haven't talked about in a while: money mindset. Because here's the thing. Most of us didn't choose the money stories we're carrying around. We inherited them from our parents, our teachers, the culture we grew up in, and that whole toxic online abundance messaging that makes you feel like an idiot if you haven't manifested a private account in the Cayman Islands.
(Thanks for nothing, The Secret.)
The money stories you inherited and how they're dictating your behaviour right now. Things like "money doesn't grow on trees" or "people like us don't have that kind of money" get wired into your nervous system, and suddenly abundance doesn't feel safe anymore.
Why money isn't moral. Money isn't a reflection of how worthy or spiritual you are. It's not a moral compass. Money is neutral. It's energy. And when we treat it like it's moral, we start hustling for work we don't want, undercharging because we want to seem like good people, and over-delivering to prove our value.
The two ways we try to control money and why neither one represents freedom. You're either constantly chasing money and making it the focus of everything, or you're pretending you're above caring about it at all. Both are about control. Both are ego.
What it means to rewild your relationship with money. Coming back to a natural rhythm where money flows through you, supports you, and nourishes what matters, but isn't the all-or-nothing driving force of your business.
Five things you can start doing today to shift your relationship with money:
The distinction between wealth and worth. Wealth is external and movable. Worth is internal and doesn't change. You cannot let money carry your self-esteem. You cannot let money have that much power.
Money doesn't respond to guilt or scarcity. But it does respond to clear, aligned action. It responds to purpose. It responds to flow. When you spend money in alignment, it circulates. When you invest in what you believe in, it multiplies. When you hoard it out of fear, it stagnates.
And here's the weird thing: when you stop with the proving and the grasping and the chasing, that's when money starts to flow. That's when money becomes the side effect of intentional, aligned work.
That's what I want for you.
Don't rush these. Sit with them. See what comes up.
Download the Fix Your Money Mindset Workbook - One of my oldest lead magnets and still works a treat because it's a goodie. It'll help you reframe your way of thinking about money: https://www.gillmoakes.com/fix-your-money-mindset
Email me your reflections: [email protected] (I genuinely love hearing from you when something lands)
Ever hit 'post' and immediately wanted to delete it because it felt a bit too much... too honest... too vulnerable... too outspoken... too opinionated
Yes? This episode is for you.
This week, we’re talking about the courage it takes to tell the truth in your marketing - to bring all of who you are to your business, even when it feels risky, messy, or a little too raw.
Because here’s the thing:
Every time you water yourself down to sound more 'credible,' you lose the very thing that would make your message land.
Every time you trim the edges of your truth to seem more professional, you edit out the magic that would actually connect.
In this episode, I talk about:
💥 Why being “too polished” is killing your connection
💥 The myth that credibility comes from having it all figured out
💥 The moment right before you post something real, and how to move through it
💥 How to know what’s yours to share (and what’s not)
💥 The difference between authentic vulnerability and performative oversharing
💥 Why your truth is the most magnetic thing you have
If you’ve ever caught yourself second-guessing a post, toning down your story, or worrying that honesty might make you look less 'together', this one’s for you.
Because credibility doesn’t come from perfection.
It comes from resonance. From being real, open, and honest enough that your people can actually feel you.
And that? That’s what makes you unforgettable.
✍️ Your Reflection Prompt:
What truth are you avoiding because you’re scared it might make you look less credible?
Sit with that one. Write. Don’t rush it. You might just find the next brave thing your business needs to say.
🔗 Join the October Workshop: Relationships Over Algorithms
📆 28th October 2025
⏰ 5pm UK / 12pm EST / 9am PST
📍 Zoom
We’ll dive into how real relationships, not reach, not trends, create the kind of business that lasts.
Get all the details and book your spot here → https://www.gillmoakes.com/relationships-over-algorithms
This week on Rewild Your Business I’m joined by the incredible Claire Schwartz – grief and trauma coach and healer.
Claire brings not only decades of professional expertise, but also the lived wisdom of her own journey through loss and trauma survival. Together, we dive into a conversation most business owners avoid until life forces it upon them:
👉 What happens when grief or trauma collides with running your business?
👉 Why the “just soldier on” approach can actually do more harm than good.
👉 Practical ways to support yourself (and your business) when life knocks you sideways.
👉 The importance of honesty, boundaries, and community when navigating hard seasons.
We talk about the messy, surreal early days of loss, why connection is the true antidote, and how business owners can prepare themselves now for the unexpected.
This conversation isn’t just for those walking through bereavement, it’s for anyone who knows that life can change in an instant, and wants to build a business that can hold them, not just one they hold up.
Claire’s approach is direct, compassionate, and rooted in deep truth. Honestly? I wish I’d had her in my corner during my own season of grief.
If you’ve ever wondered how on earth you’d keep your business going when life falls apart, or you simply want to hear two women cut through the noise and talk about what really matters, this episode is for you.
Connect with Claire:
🌐 youcanhealyourgrief.com
📖 Her book Putting Out the Fire is available via her website (buy direct from authors whenever you can 🙌)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairemschwartz/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/fearlessgrieving/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claire.m.schwartz.5
More About Claire
Claire M. Schwartz has been walking her path of Grief & Trauma survival for over 35 years. She comes from a place she calls The Dark Ugly™ and has crafted and honed her healing journey with determination, wit and tenacity. She holds a BA from the University of Michigan in Psychology, and she is a Certified Professional Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Spiritual Counselor and a Member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She has been in private practice for over 18 years, as the Owner of Miriam’s Well Healing LLC, working intensively with clients and organisations alike. Claire’s authenticity, directness and compassion make her a sought-after Speaker and Consultant, having taught multiple Grief and Trauma workshops, hosted Grief Retreats, taught twice at The Global Grief Conference and have been a podcast guest across the country.
Yep, you read that right. I closed a profitable membership. And no, I haven’t lost my mind.
This week on ReWild Your Business, I’m pulling back the curtain on why I shut down The Collective, even though it was making money, and what that decision taught me about alignment, sovereignty, and refusing to run my business on “shoulds.”
Because here’s the truth: profitable doesn’t always mean sustainable. And if something doesn’t feel good, I’m not dragging it along out of fear of what people might think. (Spoiler: most of the time, no one’s thinking about you as much as you imagine anyway.)
In this episode, I share:
The real reason The Collective never worked for me (even though it looked shiny on the outside).
Why ignoring your own values in favour of business “rules” will always bite you in the arse.
How I handled closing it down with integrity, and turned it into an opportunity.
The surprisingly liberating power of changing your mind in public.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in an offer that drains you, scared of being judged for pivoting, or secretly relieved at the idea of burning something down… this episode is your permission slip.
✨ Journaling Prompts to Take This Deeper:
- Where in my business am I holding onto something just because it “works,” even if it doesn’t feel good?
- What old story about myself (e.g. being flaky, inconsistent, or not seeing things through) do I need to rewrite into a strength?
- If I gave myself full permission to change my mind publicly, what would I stop, start, or reshape right now?
If this episode gives you the nudge you need to cut loose the thing that isn’t working, I’d love it if you’d leave me a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. It means the world and helps more wild-hearted women find this show.
💡 Links & Mentions:
Workshops
– including All of You, my unapologetic deep dive happening this week: gillmoakes.com/workshops
The Coaching Business Academy
If you're beyond ready to grow your coaching business, The Academy could be your perfect next step: https://gillmoakes.com/academy
We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling Instagram, checking out someone else’s shiny new program, their sold-out launch, or their glossy website, and suddenly, what you’ve built feels… small. Messy. Not enough.
That’s comparisonitis. And here’s the truth: it’s a game you’ll never let yourself win. Because every time you get close to what once felt “enough,” your brain moves the goalposts.
In this episode of ReWild Your Business, I’m breaking down why comparisonitis is such a creativity killer, how it's the theif of courage. Mimicking someone else’s highlight reel will always water down your own brilliance. More importantly, I’ll share how to flip the script, shifting from comparison into connection, so you can reclaim your energy, originality, and confidence.
If you’ve been caught in the trap of measuring your work against someone else’s yardstick, this one’s for you.
✨ Here are the three journaling prompts I share in this episode to help you step out of the comparison trap:
Where in my business am I measuring myself against someone else’s definition of success?
If I stopped comparing myself to others, what would I create differently today?
What would my business look and feel like if I only played by my own rules?
And don’t forget, my upcoming workshop All of You: The Unapologetic Art of Showing Up Unedited is happening on September 30th. If this episode resonated, you’ll love diving deeper with me there. Register here
Monthly Workshops: gillmoakes.com/workshops
The Coaching Business Academy: gillmoakes.com/academy
Private Coaching: gillmoakes.com/private-coaching
If only marketing were as simple as the shiny promises we see all over the internet, right? Post more, and the clients will come. Nail your branding, and sales will magically happen. Go viral once, and you’re set for life.
I wish those things were true. But they’re not. And believing them? That’s what keeps too many brilliant women stuck, burned out, or chasing shortcuts that don’t actually build sustainable businesses.
In this episode of ReWild Your Business, I’m mythbusting the biggest lies we’ve all been sold about marketing and showing you what actually works instead. We’ll dig into:
- Why posting more is not a strategy (and what to do instead).
- The truth about branding and why it doesn’t sell for you.
- Why chasing virality is fool’s gold.
- How clarity and repetition really work in your marketing.
- The difference between “aligned” and “effortless” marketing.
- And why there is no single magic blueprint that works for everyone.
Here’s the truth: marketing isn’t a magic trick, and it isn’t effortless. It’s about building real relationships, creating resonant messaging, and choosing strategies that fit you, your values, and your people. That’s the long game.
If you’re ready to stop buying into the myths and start building a marketing ecosystem that actually sustains you, this episode will set you straight.
1. Where am I secretly hoping marketing will be easier than it really is?
2. Which of these myths have I been buying into, and what has it cost me?
3. What’s one bold, uncomfortable marketing move I’m willing to try this week to actually connect with my people?
'All Of You' - The Unapologetic Art Of Showing Up Unedited
If you want to finally grow your business doing the work you love by attracting clients you adore... THIS is the workshop for you. It's the secret to building deeper relationships built on a level of trust that nothing but your true, unedited self can develop...
📅 30th September 2025, 5pm UK / 12pm EST / 9am PST
Book Now - places are strictly limited as I open a 7 day pop up WhatsApp group for each workshop to support you in implementing what you learn...
🔗 https://gillmoakes.com/all-of-you
From the publisher's feed