Alexis Haselberger is a time management and productivity coach who helps people do more and stress less through coaching, workshops and online courses. Her pragmatic, yet fun, approach helps people easily integrate practical, realistic strategies into their lives so that they can do more of what they want and less of what they don’t. Alexis has taught thousands of individuals to take control of their time and her clients include Google, Lyft, Workday, Capital One, Upwork and more.
What is Alexis Haselberger Coaching and Consulting, Inc all about?
I’m a time management and productivity coach. My business consists of 3 verticals:
- Coaching (1:1 and group)
- Training (workshops for companies) and
- Online courses
Through my practice, I help people to learn to use their time intentionally, in service of their goals and values, so they can do more of what they want and less of what they don’t.
Tell us a little bit about your personal background – how you ended up in this career?
I spent the first 15+ years of my career managing operations and HR at several early-stage start-ups, where there was way more to do than people to do it. Burnout was rampant. While working in these high-stress environments (and having a couple of kids along the way), I started developing and implementing strategies for productivity at work, and in my personal life, to ensure that goals were met, balls were not dropped, and that, most importantly, I, and those around me, stayed sane.
Eventually, it became clear that the productivity nerd side of me was a skill set that was in need, and that I could teach it to others. In essence, there was a good product/market fit.
Personally, I’ve also always been a high-ROI person when it comes to time. I was always scheming in school about how to make sure I got straight As, but by going to class as little as possible. I’ve always wanted to be excellent with the least amount of time and effort required. That drive has persisted into adulthood and perpetuates in my business. I help people be incredibly successful at work AND have time for fulfilling personal lives.
What was the biggest problem you encountered starting up and how did you overcome it?
I think the biggest issue you face when you start a business is how to get those first few clients. I had no background at all in sales and marketing and it was uncomfortable for me to talk about myself and my business at first.
I decided that I would have to force myself to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. So I just started telling everyone about what I was doing. I pushed through the discomfort. I emailed literally every single person whose email address I had (from people I hadn’t spoken to since high school to the insurance agent of a business I worked for 4 jobs ago). Literally everyone. I told them what I was up to and who my ideal clients were. I also went to a very large conference, brought 400 business cards, and made it a goal to introduce myself to 400 people. Very quickly, I got inured to the discomfort and I started to figure out how to adapt my pitch to the audience I was speaking to at the moment.
Here’s the thing. When you start out, no one knows who you are or what you offer. How do they find out? You have to tell them. That was the hardest thing for me, but it’s how I got my first few clients.
What are some of the Dos and Don’ts of being a business success Coach?
Do:
- Know your niche. Who do you serve? Who do you work best with?
- Know your limits. Know when to refer a client to someone who might be a better fit.
Don’t:
- Set unreasonable expectations
- Make it about you. It’s about your clients.
Do you have any other projects or businesses you working on?
Nope, just this one.
How do you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
I separate the planning from the doing. It’s that simple. I don’t rely on motivation. The last thing I do at the end of every workday is to make a concrete plan for the next day that moves me towards my goals. Every day, I get up and I execute that plan. I don’t have to think about it, I don’t have to muster up the motivation. Because I’ve separated the planning from the doing, I don’t have to ask myself “what do I feel like doing right now?” (because we know the answer is always gonna be wrong), I just execute what I planned.
In addition to daily planning, I do a 30-minute weekly planning session on Friday to plan for the next week, and a 1-day planning session each quarter to plan for the following quarter.
The clearer I am on the concrete steps I need to take, the easier it is to simply move forward.
Also, I secretly call myself a “very driven lazy person”. I’m very motivated by free time. My goal every day is to execute my plan so that I can feel free to do whatever I want, without guilt, that evening. Even if that’s binge-watching Netflix.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to gain new clients?
Asking for referrals. Word of mouth is the most effective marketing, in my opinion. But it can be hard to figure out how to get it going on your own.
Do really great work. Give your clients great results. And then remind them that the best way for you to help more people is to tell other people about you.
When is the ideal time for a new entrepreneur to hire a business coach?
When you feel like you’ve tapped out your current systems and you don’t know how to grow without simply working harder, it’s time to hire a coach.
What are some of the reason you would refuse or stop working with a client?
As a coach, I provide insight, guidance, a sounding board, strategies, even advice (I know that’s heresy to some coaches, but I do!). But I can’t do the internal work for the client. I won’t work with folks who aren’t willing to invest in themselves, or who have a super fixed mindset. I want my clients to all get phenomenal results. And to do that, they need to be able to put in the hard work. They need to believe that they can learn new skills if they put in the time.
Every once in a while I’ll get someone who says “Just give me a good schedule and I’ll follow it.” When they say that, I know it’s not a good fit for us to work together. If you could just follow a schedule, you wouldn’t need my help! If you’re ready to make lasting, sustainable changes and eager to dive in even when things get hard, I know we’ll get somewhere.
What is your definition of success?
Success to me is simply being able to say at the end of the day, every day, “what I did today was more important than what I didn’t do”.
What are three things most clients have in common?
- They have reached a high level of success, but via brute force, or at the expense of some other area of their life/health.
- They are super clear on what they want. They just don’t know how to get there.
- They are frustrated with the way things are and willing to make changes to improve their life. (I.e., they’re not complainers, they’re doers).
What’s your best piece of advice for people who are just starting their coaching business?
Meet each person where they are. And recognize that every brain is different. Not better or worse. Different. Everyone has their own unique genius, and everyone has their own realm of common sense. They don’t always overlap with yours. What works for you might not work for them. Avoid judgement. Avoid shame. Avoid “shoulds”. Help your clients uncover what they want, define the obstacles in their path, and support them as they move forward.
What is your favorite quote?
It’s cheesy, but it’s true:
“There’s no growth in the comfort zone.”
How can readers get in touch with you?
You can get in touch with me at alexishaselberger.com. If you think you might like to work with me, you can schedule a free consultation call right from that page.
Business Coach Interview: Interview with Lisa Johnson – Straight Talking Coaching
