How long is a piece of string?

The other week I had a revelation. I actually know the answer to this question of “How long is a piece of string?”

You do too.

It’s ok to start not knowing

My best collaborations are the ones where we go in not knowing some stuff. Even not knowing what we will do, how we will do it, or how long it will take.

Bit by bit, we untangle the mess.

Throughout this past year, I learned it's unrealistic for me to present a structured course and expect everyone to wind themselves neatly around the bobbins I've set up. And besides, it turns out I thrive on being flexible and adaptable in how I do things — it's a super strength that allows me to meet people where they're at and go forward at a sensible pace, together.

So here's what I’ve found works better than a fixed structure:

1. Accepting some ambiguity at the start

2. Working it out together

3. Trying stuff

4. Trusting the process

Making something simple is hard work

I've learned this many times. Most notably in my career as a UX Designer. Most recently as of last month, when we moved to a new city.

We're downsizing considerably, which is its own form of simplification. And with that, I've been re-evaluating what's going well in my business, too. Because there's no sense in carrying a bunch of unhelpful stuff to a new place.

Here's what I know I'm keeping:

• All the features of my full coaching program

• Flexible scheduling & flexible payments

• Fully customisable and bespoke coaching and consulting

• Insightful posts and content

And here's what I've left behind:

• The structure and rigidity of a program

• Fixed price points

• Unhelpful lead magnets, needless complexity, and sales jargon

• Anything else that doesn't add value

The list is longer, but you get the idea.

If you're going through a change of any sort, what goes on your list of what stays? And what goes?

All we need to know

Here's what we need to know to get started with things: how much time and energy you want to put into sorting out some stringy mess you have.

I've found that when we know that, we can figure out the how and how much pretty easily.

It's the first question we answer together (and it's a mini-version of the four things listed above).

Then we get to work.

And before we know it, we see exactly how long that piece of string was. Happens every time; reassuring proof that trusting the process works.

I'm pretty excited about this way forward. Not because it's new (it's not). It's what I've already been doing, but better. And I have countless people who have gone on short and great lengths with me to thank for that. I am so grateful to each and every one of you out there, thanks so much (you know who you are).

If you're interested in working with me to untangle any mess, let's talk and come up with a sensible plan to sort it out together.