🎙️ Failing Forward: How to Turn Setbacks Into a Thriving Coaching Business 🚀

Have you ever launched a program or put yourself out there, only to feel like it’s falling apart? I’ve been there, and I know how tough it can be.

But what if I told you that failure isn’t the end? It’s actually the key to building a successful coaching business! 💡

In this episode of the Lifestyle Business Quest Podcast, I’m diving into John Maxwell’s powerful Failing Forward philosophy and sharing how YOU can turn every setback into a stepping stone for success. 🏆

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

🚀 How to use failure as feedback to grow your business faster

🚀 7 game-changing principles to help you bounce back stronger

🚀 Real-life stories from my clients who turned failure into MASSIVE wins 💥

🚀 3 actionable steps to help you start failing forward in your business TODAY

You don’t want to miss this one if you're ready to take your coaching biz to the next level.

✨ Let’s transform those setbacks into setups for success!

- Travis

To Learn more about growing a Thriving Lifestyle Coaching Business, grab your FREE Masterclass Training Today! www.LifestyleBusinessQuest.com

Transcript

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt like everything you worked for was slipping through your fingers? Maybe you launched a new coaching program, poured your heart into a marketing campaign, or reached out to potential clients with no response—and suddenly, doubt creeps in. You start wondering if you’re really cut out for this. But what if I told you that this moment, this feeling of failure, could be the very thing that catapults you to a new level of success?

Today’s episode is about Failing Forward—a concept from John Maxwell that teaches us how to view failure not as something to be avoided, but as something that pushes us toward growth. By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to turn your failures into opportunities for greater clarity, stronger strategy, and the momentum needed to build a thriving $250k lifestyle coaching business.

Welcome to the Lifestyle Business Quest Podcast! I'm Travis Greenlee, master lifestyle business growth mentor and I’m excited to have you here with me today because we’re diving deep into a topic that can reshape the way you view your coaching business: failure. And not just any failure, but *failing forward*. 

The truth is, no successful entrepreneur gets to where they are without stumbling along the way. What sets them apart is how they *use* those stumbles. Today, we’ll break down seven principles of *Failing Forward* that will help you navigate failure, learn from it, and ultimately grow your business faster and smarter. We’ll also hear the stories of three clients—Peter, Christine, and Kelly—who faced major challenges in their businesses but turned their setbacks into success. Plus, I’ll give you three powerful, actionable steps to help you start failing forward in your own business.

So, whether you’ve experienced a recent setback or you’re afraid of taking the leap because you might fail, this episode is for you.

The first principle is all about shifting how you *see* failure. Most of us grow up with the idea that failure is the opposite of success. We’re taught to avoid it, fear it, and even be ashamed of it. But here’s the truth: failure is *feedback*. Every time something doesn’t go as planned, it’s your business, your market, and your clients giving you valuable information.

For example, if you launch a course and only a few people sign up, instead of seeing it as a failure, start asking questions:
- Was the messaging clear?
- Did I target the right audience?
- Was the timing off?

This mindset shift is crucial because, when you see failure as feedback, you *empower yourself* to learn and improve. You’re no longer stuck in self-doubt or fear; instead, you’re actively gathering insights that will move your business forward.

In my own journey, I’ve launched programs that didn’t hit the mark. I’ve run ads that flopped. But each of these so-called failures gave me critical information about what my clients actually needed, where my messaging was off, and how I could improve my systems. Over time, these lessons created the foundation for the success of my perpetual client system.

One of the most common roadblocks I see in coaching businesses is the pursuit of perfection. It’s this fear of launching something that isn’t perfect that keeps many coaches stuck in limbo. We think, “I’ll launch when my website is perfect,” or “I’ll raise my rates when I’ve got more experience.” But let me tell you, waiting for perfection is a form of procrastination.

The second principle is all about embracing *imperfect action*. What does this mean? It means launching your program before you’re ready. It means showing up and doing the work, even when you don’t have all the answers yet. 

When I first launched my group coaching program, I was nervous. I knew it wasn’t perfect, but I had to get it out there to gather real feedback from my audience. And guess what? I was able to refine and improve the program *because* I launched it imperfectly. The key here is to get into motion because motion creates momentum, and momentum leads to mastery.

The takeaway? Your first version of anything—whether it’s a webinar, a course, or even a social media post—won’t be perfect. And that’s okay. What matters is that you take action and let the process refine you. In business, perfection is the enemy of progress.

The third principle is one that has transformed the way I approach my own business. So often, we become attached to specific outcomes—like signing a certain number of clients, hitting a revenue target, or launching the perfect funnel. And while goals are important, getting too attached to the outcome can set you up for disappointment.

Instead, I encourage you to focus on the *process*. What does that mean? It means paying attention to the daily, consistent actions that you can control—showing up for your clients, creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and nurturing relationships. These are the things that will ultimately lead to success, even if the immediate outcome isn’t what you expected.

For example, if you run a webinar and don’t make any sales, don’t write it off as a failure. Look at the process:
- Did you provide value?
- Did you connect with your audience?
- Did you learn something new about their needs?

By focusing on the process, you detach from the anxiety of the outcome and stay grounded in actions that move your business forward. Over time, the consistent process will lead to results.

Here’s the thing about failure: it’s inevitable. You’re going to face setbacks. Maybe a marketing campaign doesn’t perform well. Maybe a client leaves a negative review. Maybe you have months where enrollment dips. The key isn’t to avoid these setbacks but to *learn* from them.

This fourth principle is crucial—every time you hit a roadblock, ask yourself, *What can I learn from this?* When you reflect on your setbacks, they become your greatest teachers.

One of my clients, Kelly, experienced this firsthand. After struggling to enroll clients in her first few months, she felt like she was doing something wrong. But when we reflected on her efforts, we realized her messaging wasn’t connecting with her ideal clients. She refined her approach, clarified her offer, and within a few weeks, she was enrolling clients consistently. Her “failure” was the feedback she needed to grow.

Building a successful coaching business is not about hitting a home run with every launch or sales call. It’s about consistently showing up and taking action, *even when things don’t go as planned*. Resilience is built through repetition. Every time you try again after a failure, you strengthen your ability to persevere.

In business, repetition is your best friend. The more you practice discovery calls, the more natural they feel. The more you launch, the more confident you become. Repetition creates resilience, and resilience is what allows you to keep moving forward even in the face of challenges.

Think about the first time you did a sales call or your first webinar. It probably didn’t go as smoothly as you hoped, right? But each time you show up and do it again, you improve. Resilience isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about building the stamina to keep going through it.

Fear is a natural part of stepping into new territory, whether it’s launching a new offer, raising your rates, or reaching out to potential clients. But instead of letting fear paralyze you, *reframe it as excitement*. 

Think about it: when you’re about to launch something new, your heart races, your palms sweat, and your mind starts spinning with “what ifs.” These physical symptoms are identical to the ones you experience when you’re excited. So, what if you could reframe that fear as a sign that you’re on the verge of something great?

When I first raised my coaching rates, I was terrified. What if people didn’t see the value? What if I lost clients? But instead of shrinking from that fear, I chose to see it as a sign that I was stepping into the next level of my business. That reframe turned fear into motivation.

When you start to see fear as excitement, you transform your mindset. Instead of avoiding risks, you start looking for opportunities to grow.

The final principle is one that many high achievers struggle with—*celebrating progress, not perfection*. In our quest for success, we often overlook the small wins, waiting to celebrate until we’ve hit that big goal. But here’s the truth: progress is what leads to those big wins. 

Every new client, every new lesson learned, every piece of content that resonates with your audience is worth celebrating. When you start acknowledging your progress, you stay motivated and energized, even during tough times.

One of my clients, Christine, struggled with burnout because she wasn’t celebrating her small wins. She was always focused on the next milestone, and it left her feeling drained. Once she started celebrating the progress—like launching her course and getting positive feedback from her clients—her energy shifted. She felt more fulfilled, and her business started growing even faster.

Peter’s story is one of transformation through persistence and reflection. When Peter first came to me, he was frustrated. He had all the skills and experience, but he wasn’t getting traction in his business. His client base was inconsistent, and he was barely scraping by. 

We started by looking at what wasn’t working—his lead generation process was sporadic, and he wasn’t attracting the right clients. Instead of seeing this as a failure, Peter embraced the feedback. He restructured his approach, implemented my Perpetual Clients System, and within a few months, he was consistently enrolling 3-4 clients per month.

Today, Peter brings in $10,000 to $20,000 in revenue each month, all because he was willing to fail forward. Every misstep became an opportunity to refine his process, and now he has a scalable, sustainable business.

Christine’s journey is all about reclaiming balance and freedom through *Failing Forward*. When she joined my program, she was completely burned out. She was giving everything to her clients, working long hours, but she wasn’t seeing the financial results she wanted. Worse, she was afraid that scaling her business would mean sacrificing the personal touch that made her coaching special.

Christine’s burnout was her body’s way of giving her feedback—her business model wasn’t sustainable. Together, we shifted her from one-on-one coaching to a hybrid model, blending automation with high-touch service. This allowed her to serve more clients while maintaining a personal connection.

Within a few months, Christine launched her “Vibrant Living” course, something she had been stuck on for three years. Now, she serves more clients than ever and has more time for herself and her family. Her setback led her to a business model that supports her well-being and her goals.

Kelly’s story is one of overcoming self-doubt and analysis paralysis. She had all the qualifications—certifications, experience, and a deep passion for helping her clients—but she was hesitant to take action. She feared failure so much that she was stuck in place, unable to launch her business with confidence.

Through the principles of *Failing Forward*, Kelly learned to embrace imperfect action. She launched her first group coaching program before she felt ready, and while her initial results weren’t perfect, they provided the feedback she needed. With each launch, she refined her messaging and approach.

Today, Kelly is consistently enrolling clients, and her confidence has skyrocketed. She no longer fears failure because she knows it’s part of the process. Her business is thriving because she learned to take action, reflect, and improve.

Now that you understand the principles of *Failing Forward* and have heard how they transformed the businesses of Peter, Christine, and Kelly, let’s get practical. Here are three actionable steps you can take today to start using *Failing Forward* in your own business.

Step 1: Launch Before You’re Ready

Here’s your first step: launch before you’re ready. If you’ve been sitting on an idea—a course, a coaching package, or even a free masterclass—waiting for the perfect moment, now is the time to act.

- Set a launch date for 30 days from now. Yes, even if it’s not “perfect.”
- Start promoting it to your audience, even if your messaging isn’t flawless.

Remember, your first version won’t be perfect. And that’s okay! What matters is that you get into motion. Action creates momentum, and you’ll gather the feedback you need to improve.

Step 2: Reflect and Adjust After Every Failure

After every failure or setback, take the time to reflect and adjust. Use this simple framework:
1. What went well? 
2. What didn’t go as planned? 
3. What will I do differently next time?

By reflecting on each experience, you’ll gain valuable insights and make informed adjustments to your strategy. Keep a journal where you track these reflections—it will become a powerful tool for growth over time.

Step 3: Create a Resilience Routine

Building resilience is key to long-term success in your coaching business. Here’s how to create a daily resilience routine:

- Daily Mindset Work: Spend 5-10 minutes each morning focusing on your mindset. This could be journaling about your goals, reading something motivational, or practicing gratitude.
  
- Action-Oriented Goals: Set specific, action-based goals that you can control. For example, reach out to 5 potential clients this week or post content 3 times this week.
  
- Celebrate Small Wins: Make it a habit to celebrate every small win. Whether it’s booking a discovery call, getting feedback from a client, or hitting a mini-milestone, acknowledging your progress keeps you motivated.

And there you have it—seven principles of Failing Forward, inspiring client stories, and three actionable steps you can start using today to grow your coaching business. Remember, failure isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace. Every setback is a setup for a comeback if you’re willing to learn from it and keep moving forward.

If you’re ready to accelerate your progress and take your business to the next level, I invite you to grab your free masterclass at lifestylebusinessquest.com. In this masterclass, I’ll share the exact five proven steps to build a thriving $250k lifestyle coaching business—without burning out or sacrificing your freedom.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Keep failing forward, keep learning, and keep building the life and business you love. Until next time, let’s fail forward together and turn every setback into a stepping stone to success!