Why Group Coaching Works Better When Life Gets Complicated

I have chronic migraines. I don’t talk about it much because it’s just my life- like taking showers and playing with the dogs.

I want to pretend that migraines don’t impact my life, but they do.  I’m more likely to get a migraine if I don’t get enough sleep or don’t give myself enough time away from the laptop.  Weather and pressure changes are big triggers. This summer has been particularly brutal with the pattern of afternoon thunderstorms beginning in July instead of August. Putting too much mental pressure on myself is also a trigger.

I’m incredibly grateful for the medication I take to relieve migraine. I’m not one for medicating everything, but these are a godsend. To “quickly” alleviate a migraine, I have to take a pill, lie down for 30 – 60 mins, and it always takes longer than that for my brain to start functioning correctly.

That’s on a good day. Other days, the pain lingers for hours- granted, it’s at a much lower level- and I could take another pill to get it to go away completely. Or maybe I just need to eat something? Or caffeine might help? Or …. There is a long list of “or’s”.

The point is: I cannot plan for migraines, and they will disrupt my entire day. I have coached through them, run team meetings, facilitated live events, etc. not ideal, but I can do it.

My focus as I make choices every day is to have the best life possible- laughing as often as possible, enjoying the beauty of the planet, and my relationships. I want to love my business and my life. And I do!

And every day I manage my business. I run launches, create content, work with clients…

The question I need to answer is: What’s the best way to use my time? How can I do what I love, give tremendous value to people, and do it in a way that feels right for me so I can perform at my best?

Why Group Coaching Works for Everyone (Especially Those with Limitations)

One of the ways I do this is by providing group coaching. The program combines weekly meetings, WhatsApp support, occasional expert guest speakers, and individual one-on-ones.  Instead of multiple individual sessions every week, I have one scheduled group meeting. I provide support on WhatsApp at my convenience- if I need to sleep through a migraine, I do, and the client gets a thoughtful response when I am fully focused.

I’m not staring at Zoom or MeetMe for hours on end. I’m not running from one meeting straight into another. I have a one-on-one with each client at the beginning of a program cycle. After that, unless someone chooses to purchase additional one-on-ones, I’m fairly meeting-free. I get to control the number of hours I designate for one-on-ones every day, giving me greater flexibility. I can use some of that space for networking or conversations with potential clients.

Here's the best part: the group program doesn’t just work well for me- it works better for my clients.

Why?

Because it gives them flexibility. If they have limitations of their own, they can work this level of commitment into their lives without feeling overwhelmed.

Limitations Come in Many Forms

Limitations aren’t just the physical and mental concerns we commonly consider.

For instance, one group member has limited internet access because of the Caribbean country where she lives (I know- you thought it was going to be a physical limitation). For our one-hour weekly group meeting, she finds a good connection so we can hear and see her.  She’s not trying to get online for multiple calls, feeling frazzled, and disrupting meetings because of internet issues. She’s focusing on her business questions during the call, not on tech.

Another member is the primary caregiver for a family member who became seriously ill right after she joined the group. She was overwhelmed and distraught. She knows that for that one hour, she can come to the group and be held and seen. She’s not missing out on multiple calls. She’s staying in touch through WhatsApp when she can. She contributes to the journey of the rest of the community and receives support in return.

Yes, it’s a community- a place where it’s okay to be overwhelmed by your non-business responsibilities, to acknowledge the temporary pause you need because of a migraine, backache, or any other limitation, and to get moving again when you’re ready.

Learning from Our Limitations

Limitations are real. They cannot be wished away with a “lean into your feminine” platitude. We can learn from them. I have learned to take myself and everything I do less seriously, to ease the pressure I put on myself, and to ignore social pressure.

Here’s how the group format specifically supports people with limitations:  

·      Reduced scheduling burden: one weekly meeting instead of multiple individual appointments means fewer opportunities for conflicts with health flares, caregiving duties, or technical issues.

·      Asynchronous support: WhatsApp allows members to engage when they are able, without the pressure of being “on” at a specific time.

·      Community resilience: When one person is struggling, others can carry the conversation and provide support, reducing pressure on any individual to show up perfectly every time.

·      Flexible Participation: Camera off in a dark room during a migraine? Listening while caring for a family member? All are welcome and normalized.

·      Shared wisdom: Others’ questions and solutions benefit everyone, creating value even when you can’t actively participate. 

You can bring your ADHD-self to this group, and I’ll help you get sorted with next steps. The members will support your journey and be there when you need a nudge back to the path.

Have a migraine of your own and need to keep your camera off, sit in a dark room, and still want to be involved in the group, and share support? Absolutely okay. Who knows- someone else might ask the same question that’s been bothering you and contributing to that migraine.

I love everything about this group! It feeds my soul. I get to provide value in so many ways from launch strategy, to leadership, to tech solutions.

When you are ready to go full throttle, we’re meeting once a week to tackle the tech issue you are struggling with, to answer the business question that’s keeping you confused, to review the risks and rewards of an opportunity, and provide tactical, practical next steps. When you need a one-on-one, I am here for you.

I get that you may have limitations, and I expect that you want to create a business and life you love- where your spirituality is just as important as your success. The community, the Soulful Success Circle, is here to support the full you.

I’m opening the Soulful Success Circle to new members. I’m only accepting 20 new members and won’t open the group again until winter. If the community is calling to your heart, join the wait list, and I’ll reach out.