The Toddler-Inspired Technique Changing Businesses

Remember when you started your practice? The excitement, the vision of changing lives while maintaining harmony in business and life? You were full of ambition and ready to take on the world. Fast forward to today, and you're more likely to be found hunting for that crucial client document at midnight, wondering if your office chair has fused with your body. That dream of balance? It feels more like a distant memory.

But I am going to share with you one simple question that could help you untangle this mess.

No, it's not "Where's the coffee?" (though that's a close second).

It's "Why?"

The Magic of "Why?": Your New Business Bestie

Let's say you're at a fancy restaurant, eagerly awaiting your meal. The waiter approaches, but instead of your order, they bring... a set of Russian nesting dolls. Odd, right?

The thing is, your business problems are just like these dolls. The outer doll is the big, obvious issue. Crack it open, and you'll find smaller dolls inside, each representing a deeper cause of your problem. And just like those nesting dolls, your business problems need to be peeled back, layer by layer, to get to the heart of what's really going wrong. It's a process, much like enjoying a meal course by course, where each step is necessary to uncover the full flavor of your challenges.

That's where our magical question comes in. By asking "Why?" five times in a row, you can peel back the layers of your business challenges faster than you can say "productivity hack."

The Five Whys in Action: A Coach's Tale

Meet Robyn, a life coach who's working harder than ever but seeing diminishing returns. Let's help her out, shall we?

Problem: Robyn's missing deadlines and losing clients.

1. Why? Robyn's constantly behind on client paperwork.
2. Why? She's spending hours searching for information in her messy digital files.
3. Why? Robyn hasn't set up a proper filing system.
4. Why? She's been too busy handling daily issues to create systems.
5. Why? Robyn hasn't blocked out time for working ON her business, not just IN it.

Bingo!

We've hit the jackpot. Robyn's root problem isn't about paperwork or files - it's about not prioritizing business development. One question, asked five times, just saved Robyn from buying yet another productivity app she'd never use. And more importantly, she’s about to get her time and sanity back.

Why You'll Love the Five Whys (See What I Did There?)

1. It's refreshingly simple: You don't need an MBA to crack this technique.
2. It's time-efficient: You can often reach the root cause in just a few minutes.
3. It uncovers hidden inefficiencies: Perfect for those "I know something's wrong, but I can't put my finger on it" moments.
4. It saves you more than just time: How would getting rid of that constant low-level stress and reclaiming your evenings feel?
5. It promotes a problem-solving culture: Encourage your team to dig deeper into issues.

By applying the Five Whys, you’re not just solving problems—you’re taking back control of your business. No more frantic searches for client documents at midnight. No more late-night panic about deadlines. Instead, you’ll have time for what matters most, whether that's spending quality time with your family or scaling your business without burning out.

Ready to Why-n and Dine?

By asking 'Why?' five times, you're not just peeling back layers; you're also uncovering the key ingredients to your problem, just as you would savor each course of a well-planned meal. Let’s dig into your Five Whys, served up on a ‘Why-n and Dine’ menu, where each question is a delightful course leading you closer to that satisfying root cause. Here's your five-course "Why" menu. Dig in.

1. Appetizer: Pick a juicy business problem that's been giving you indigestion.
2. Soup Course: Gather the facts. What do you know about this problem?
3. Salad Course: Ask your first "Why?" Write down the answer.
4. Main Course: Keep asking "Why?" for each answer until you've done it five times.
5. Dessert: Savor that sweet, sweet root cause you've just uncovered. It might not be what you expected, but it’s exactly what you need to fix.

The Five Whys: A Powerful Tool for Your Business

By now, you're probably thinking, "This is great, but will it really work for MY unique, complex, one-of-a-kind coaching or consulting business?" It absolutely will.

The beauty of the Five Whys is its versatility. It cuts through the noise, the excuses, and, yes, even the jargon we all sometimes hide behind. It forces you to face the music - even if that music sounds suspiciously like your printer having another meltdown.

Ready to stop playing whack-a-mole with your business problems? Take five minutes today to ask yourself "Why"—you’ll thank yourself tomorrow.

And if you feel like you're stuck, overwhelmed by too many "Whys" and not enough time, let me help you. As a Business Process Optimization Consultant, I can guide you through this process to get to the heart of your business challenges faster. Sometimes, the right system is all you need to fast-track your results and reclaim your business—and your life. If you're tired of solving the same problem over and over, let’s put those fires out for good with systems that work for you.

So, dear coaches and consultants, are you ready to stop putting out fires and start preventing them? Wouldn’t you rather have a business that runs efficiently instead of always dealing with urgent issues?

Every time you ask "Why," you're one step closer to that streamlined, profitable, and balanced business you dreamed of when you first started. No more midnight client hunts. Just you, your business, and a lot more time for the things that matter.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with my own set of Why questions. First up: Why is my coffee always cold? (Spoiler alert: It's because I get distracted writing long LinkedIn posts. Oops!)

Your turn. What business knot will you unravel first with the Five Whys? And if you found this helpful, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on optimizing your coaching or consulting practice.