The Art of Focusing: Lessons from the Childcare Industry

In one of our recent episodes, Kate and Carrie have a revelating conversation. We delved into the challenges of multitasking, the importance of focus, and the need for clarity in service offerings in the childcare industry. Here’s a recap of our insightful conversation.

The Pitfalls of Multitasking

Kate and Carrie kicked off their discussion by acknowledging a common tendency among us – the urge to chase after shiny objects and share everything with everyone. However, they both agreed that it’s impossible to do everything and be everything to everybody. Carrie shared her experience of juggling multiple roles – running three schools, a training business, homeschooling her kids, and working on a college degree simultaneously. She confessed that this left her with little sleep and an inability to give her best to all her responsibilities.

Echoing her sentiments, I pointed out that if you try to do too many things, you won’t excel at any of them. This led us to the topic of management styles, specifically in the childcare industry.

Management Styles in the Childcare Industry

Kate and Carrie identified four management styles: entrepreneur, integrator, producer, and administrator. We cautioned against being a traditional entrepreneur in the childcare industry, as constantly starting new things and rebranding oneself can lead to confusion and a lack of clarity about what you actually do.

They also discussed the importance of time management and the limited number of hours in a week. They shared their own experiences of juggling multiple roles and jobs, emphasizing the need for focus and delegation.

The Importance of Authenticity in Coaching and Consulting

The conversation then veered towards the issue of attending conferences that are essentially sales pitches disguised as educational events. They emphasized the importance of authenticity and being true to oneself in coaching and consulting practices.

Kate and Carrie mentioned that their goal is not to keep clients dependent on us forever, but rather to help them grow and eventually outgrow the need for their services. We also touched on the importance of finding the right fit in terms of coaching and consulting, and how a good coach should help their clients outgrow them.

The Journey in the Childcare Industry

Kate and Carrie discussed their journey in the childcare industry and how we have found our passion in helping others run successful childcare programs. We acknowledged that we have tried different things over the years but always come back to our love for supporting individuals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s in finding their passion for running childcare programs.

They emphasized the need to stop getting distracted by chasing multiple opportunities and instead focus on one thing at a time. They suggested that if you’re a business owner and an entrepreneur, it’s important to find a great director to run the program while you explore new opportunities. If you’re a director, Carrie encourages you to assess whether you’re truly passionate about childcare or if it’s time to consider other options.

The Importance of Focusing on Strengths and Passions

Kate and Carrie advised against seeking support from individuals who claim to do everything. They believe it’s better to find someone with a singular vision and area of focus. They shared their own experience of realizing the importance of focusing on our strengths and passions rather than trying to be a jack-of-all-trades.

In conclusion, Kate and Carrie reminded listeners to take an honest look at their passions, strengths, and management styles. They emphasized the importance of focusing on one thing at a time, delegating tasks, and seeking help from qualified individuals. We hope that our experiences and insights will help others in the childcare industry navigate their own journeys.

To learn more listen to this week’s episode! https://www.buzzsprout.com/953587/13840162

In addition, Kate and Carrie are expanding on their 1 on 1 business coaching. They believe they can help you with your childcare business and get you to where you need to be. Learn more at https://texasdirector.org/coaching/