From Consultant to Coach: 6ix lessons learned from 5 years

Shona Watson
Oct 20
3 min read

Ever had a moment where you thought: "If not now, when?" That was me, five years ago.

A sign saying if not now, when? — A great question

As GU6ix turns five, I’ve been reflecting on lessons learned. Less about the technical aspects of running a business, more about the human side of being in business. Here are my 6ix lessons from 5 years:

1. You don't need to have it all figured out

Early on, I thought I needed a polished brand, an amazing website, and a five-year plan. Nope. I discovered that clarity often comes through action, not before it. My need for clarity just stalled progress. As it happens, GU6ix continues to evolve and coaching has helped me to trust in myself and stay open to what’s emerging.

2. Identity can flex

I wear multiple hats: Psychologist, Human Factors Specialist, and now Coach. Each one matters. Becoming a coach felt natural, but I didn’t want to discard my other identities. Instead, I’ve learned to integrate them. That’s how ‘The Human Factors Coach’ was born. I don’t know if it will stick but I’m willing to road test it and adapt as I see fit.

3. Build a business that feeds you, not just others

In the early days, I said yes to everything. Chasing projects was energising, delivering them all was exhausting. Through my own coaching experience, I’ve learned that motivation is harder to maintain when your heart isn’t in it. So, I now take on work that aligns with my values. Saying no has become empowering, not scary, like it felt in the early days.

4. Discomfort is data

Discomfort has shown up in many ways – knowledge gaps, lulls in work, taking big decisions alone (and being the only one accountable for those). I’ve learned that discomfort isn’t necessarily something to fix, but something to learn from. It’s a useful data point. It can signal growth, misalignment with values, but usually the need to pause and reflect. Meeting discomfort with curiosity, rather than control, has been a game changer for me.

5. Past experience is a resource, not a limitation

For a while I thought I had to draw a line between my consulting background and my coaching practice. But my Human Factors background has shaped how I coach: noticing systems, patterns, and behaviours in ways others might not. There’s a USP in there, right (?), even if I haven’t fully capitalised on it yet.

6. Community matters

Self-employment can feel isolating. Finding people who 'get it' has been a lifeline. And you don't have to do everything yourself, even if you are fiercely independent.

Final thought

Along the way I’ve learned that running your own business isn’t just about sales, branding, or profit margins. It’s also about you - identity, values, and finding the courage to trust curiosity over certainty.

If you’re standing at your own “now or never” moment, know this: you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to begin.