The Life Coach School Podcast: Episode #523 - Busy Work vs. Result Work

Release Date: June 6, 2024
Host: Brooke Castillo

Introduction

In Episode #523 of The Life Coach School Podcast, Master Coach Brooke Castillo delves into a critical topic that distinguishes successful coaching practices from those that merely create the illusion of productivity: Busy Work vs. Result Work. Brooke emphasizes the importance of focusing on activities that generate tangible outcomes rather than actions that simply keep one occupied.

Understanding Busy Work and Result Work

Brooke begins by defining both busy work and result work, highlighting their similarities and crucial differences.

• Similarities:

  • Both can lead to exhaustion and overwhelm.
  • Both consume significant amounts of time.
  • Both can create a false sense of productivity.

• Key Difference:

  • Busy Work involves repetitive tasks that do not propel one forward, akin to "running in place."
  • Result Work focuses on activities that produce measurable progress, even if it sometimes leads in an unintended direction.

Brooke Castillo [02:30]:
"Busy work is basically running in place. Result work is getting somewhere, is moving forward, even if it's in the wrong direction."

The Impact on Coaching and Business Growth

Brooke shares her observations from teaching different groups of students—those new to coaching struggling to reach six figures and those already earning six figures aiming for seven. She notes that higher earners tend to engage more in result work, allowing them to scale effectively without the pitfalls of endless busy work.

Brooke Castillo [05:15]:
"With my higher earner students, I don't have the same type of issues when it comes to working hard. It's not just about the effort; it's about the direction of that effort."

Real-World Example: Social Media Strategy

To illustrate the difference between busy work and result work, Brooke recounts a case study involving a student attempting to grow her coaching practice through daily social media posting. Despite consistent effort, the student saw minimal growth in followers and engagement, indicating that her actions were busy work.

Brooke Castillo [12:45]:
"She has been running in place, and she's wondering why she's not getting anywhere. You can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting to get a different result."

Brooke contrasts this with her approach, which involves strategic actions like running targeted ads to generate measurable follower growth and engagement, thereby ensuring progress toward business goals.

Strategies for Transitioning from Busy Work to Result Work

Brooke outlines actionable steps for coaches and entrepreneurs to shift their focus from busy work to result-oriented activities:

1. Identify and Measure Outcomes:

   • Write down the different results from your actions.
   • Determine if these results are moving you closer to your goals.

2. Experiment and Adapt:

   • Treat your efforts like scientific experiments.
   • Continuously try new methods and learn from both successes and failures.

3. Focus on Creativity and Measurement:

   • Leverage creativity to find innovative approaches.
   • Measure the effectiveness of each action to ensure it contributes to your objectives.

Brooke Castillo [25:10]:
"If you're committed to result work and not busy work, I promise the journey there will be even more delicious, even more educational, even more evolving than having the goal completed."

Assignment: Creating a Results-Oriented Action Plan

To help listeners implement these concepts, Brooke provides an assignment focused on fostering result work:

• Task:
  Review your big goals and list the results you've achieved towards them. Ensure these results are varied and measurable, reflecting true progress rather than repetitive actions.

• Objective:
  By documenting diverse outcomes, you can assess whether your efforts are effectively advancing you toward your goals or merely keeping you busy without meaningful progress.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Brooke concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace result work, emphasizing that true progress comes from actions that generate new and measurable outcomes. She stresses the importance of adaptability, creativity, and continuous learning in achieving and surpassing personal and professional goals.

Brooke Castillo [43:00]:
"You have to start running somewhere. You have to role out different directions to find different results."

Brooke invites listeners seeking personalized guidance to consider working with her through her coaching programs, reinforcing the podcast's mission to support and elevate aspiring life coaches and weight loss coaches.

Notable Quotes

• Brooke Castillo [02:30]:
  "Busy work is basically running in place. Result work is getting somewhere, is moving forward, even if it's in the wrong direction."

• Brooke Castillo [12:45]:
  "You can't just keep doing the same thing and expecting to get a different result."

• Brooke Castillo [25:10]:
  "If you're committed to result work and not busy work, I promise the journey there will be even more delicious, even more educational, even more evolving than having the goal completed."

• Brooke Castillo [43:00]:
  "You have to start running somewhere. You have to roll out different directions to find different results."

Key Takeaways

• Differentiate Between Busy and Result Work: Recognize activities that drain your energy without advancing your goals versus those that produce measurable progress.

• Measure Your Efforts: Regularly assess the outcomes of your actions to ensure they align with your objectives.

• Embrace Adaptability: Be willing to change strategies when certain actions do not yield desired results.

• Foster Creativity: Utilize creative thinking to discover new pathways toward achieving your goals.

• Continuous Learning: View failures as learning opportunities that contribute to long-term success.

By internalizing these principles, listeners can transform their approach to coaching and business growth, ensuring that their efforts lead to meaningful and sustained success.