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One of the most transformative insights I’ve gained in my coaching journey is the power of showing up with an open mind and no agenda.

This idea might seem obvious to some, although it didn’t to me at the start of my journey. It might also seem counterintuitive, given that people often encourage thorough preparation and planning.

In my experience, genuine connection and meaningful shifts happen when I am fully present with my client, free from preconceived ideas of what we should address.

Early on, as a coach, I was convinced that my clients expected me to have every answer mapped out. Over time, I realised that coaching is less about delivering perfect solutions and more about being open to whatever unfolds. I discovered that the most profound moments come from simply being there—fully attentive, responsive, and ready to explore together.

The conversation itself will reveal what matters most at that moment. This also applies to my men’s immersion programmes, which I run over a week. I don’t make an agenda of topics; my clients create the agenda. When I drop any expectations, I make space for insights to emerge organically, which allows the other person to become the focus of the conversation and for wisdom to come through me.

In my experience, this kind of openness has created some of the most impactful breakthroughs I’ve witnessed. Moments that likely wouldn’t have happened if I’d been focused on a set plan.

So, next time you enter a coaching session or any meaningful interaction, consider showing up with an open heart and an empty mind. Trust in the wisdom life has already given you—your experiences, instincts, and care for others. Sometimes, letting go of the script creates space for something richer and more genuine to emerge for you and those you serve.

With love and appreciation,
Ankush Jain
Coach and Author of Sweet Sharing – Rediscovering the REAL You

When I first began using social media to grow my coaching business, I quickly encountered mixed results. I experimented with posting every day for 30 days.

However, consistently posting didn’t lead to genuine connections or new clients. It often felt like I was simply sending words out into a void, wondering why my efforts weren’t resonating.

That’s when a shift happened—I realised it wasn’t just about showing up regularly but about how I showed up.

The real magic of social media isn’t in the quantity of what you post; it’s in how you invite others into conversation. Over time, I’ve learned that meaningful engagement happens when content feels personal and authentic.

I noticed that sharing a real story or a recent insight creates far more connection than a purely instructional post. I remember sharing a story about a coaching session that really moved me, and the response was overwhelming—people are drawn to stories and to the real moments behind them.

I highly recommend the book Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, which was part of the curriculum at my school a couple of years ago. It’s filled with brilliant advice for coaches to share more of their journey online.

Another valuable lesson for me has been to give before expecting anything in return.

Offering something in each post—whether it’s a resource, a question that sparks thought, or an open invitation to share—encourages people to respond. When I ask for comments or invite thoughts, passive viewers can become active ones, which helped me slowly create a genuine sense of community.

For example, in the past, after sharing insight from a session with Steve Chandler, I’d encourage anyone interested to reach out for an audio clip. This often led to meaningful, one-on-one conversations that naturally deepened our connection.

Social media is a tool, but how we use it counts. When prioritising creating value and real connections, it becomes a powerful tool for building a coaching practice. As Steve Chandler would tell me: “Show up authentically and invite your audience into a dialogue rather than a monologue”.

On the topic of client creation, below is a 6-minute video on how I’ve used books to create my first coaching program.

With love and appreciation,
Ankush Jain
Coach and Author of Sweet Sharing – Rediscovering the REAL You

Before working with my now coach Steve Hardison, I didn’t fully understand how language shapes our reality. Still, over time, I realised that what I say can deeply impact my personal and professional life.

Recently, I shared this perspective with a client who was feeling trapped and uncertain about what they wanted to do. As they spoke, I noticed their language kept framing their challenges in the present tense, almost as if these struggles were permanent. I asked this client to try a slight shift: instead of saying, ‘I am struggling,’ to say, ‘I was struggling.’

This simple change can be powerful. It shifts the story from being stuck to forward movement.

Try this yourself. Consider how moving from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I couldn’t’ creates room for new possibilities. It might seem small, but I’ve seen this kind of shift unlock a lot of potential for myself.

Steve Hardison once said that language is our leverage point for growth.

I’ve seen first-hand how true that is – time and time again when I coach people into becoming aware of their language, they begin to see themselves differently, capable of much more.

In my life and while coaching clients, I am constantly listening to the words we use because I don’t want to step over the gold since I know they create the realities we live in moment by moment.

This is one of the things I address many times at the AJC Coaching Career School. Here’s a behind-the-scenes school video in which I talk more about this and the impact of it in our coaching practice:

With love and appreciation,
Ankush Jain
Coach and Author of Sweet Sharing – Rediscovering the REAL You

This has been one of the most impactful things in my coaching journey: the power of being bold and public about my vision.

When I first started, I was hesitant to share my aspirations openly, I was afraid of being judged. But I soon realised that this hesitation was holding me back.

I was having a conversation with a coach from the AJC school after we finished an in-person weekend in London for the programme. I said, imagine this: you’re at a gathering, and someone asks, “What have you been up to in London?” You have a choice. You can keep it vague, saying, “Oh, I did some training,” or you can seize the opportunity to share your vision with conviction: “This weekend, I was in a room with some of the best coaches on this planet, and we’re on a mission to raise the consciousness of the world.” None of it is fake or arrogant, you are just being accurate while speaking to what was most powerful to you.

Speaking with clarity and passion can invite different, more meaningful conversations into our lives.

I remember a time when I was hesitant to share my coaching journey with my family, fearing their feedback. But I realised that by holding back, I was slowing my progress. By embracing boldness and sharing my vision, I not only created more clients but also created ripple effects that extended beyond my immediate circle.

If you’re struggling with this, I encourage you to take a moment and articulate your vision. Share it with your existing clients, friends, and anyone who asks. You’ll be surprised at how many people are inspired by your passion and want to support you.

If you want to explore more about taking bold actions and sharing your vision, I invite you to watch this video below on how a simple conversation can spark opportunities and transformative changes.

With love and appreciation,
Ankush Jain
Coach and Author of Sweet Sharing – Rediscovering the REAL You

In my journey as a coach, I’ve come to realise the profound impact of being raw and authentic. It’s a concept I introduced in one of my early coaching schools, and it has stuck with me ever since. The word “authenticity” is often overused, so I prefer to talk about being raw—completely honest, vulnerable, and holding nothing back.

I remember a pivotal moment when I was writing my first book Sweet Sharing. Maurice Bassett (Steve Chandler’s publisher) shared a quote with me from Robert Frost: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.” and it struck a chord with me. I expanded my manuscript from 30,000 to over 50,000 words, not by adding chapters, but by being more open and vulnerable. This approach transformed my writing and deeply connected with my readers.

In coaching, the medium you use to share your thoughts is less important than where you’re coming from. Whether you’re writing a post or having a conversation, speak from the heart.

I’ve written a heartfelt acknowledgement to my personal trainer, a big, tough guy, on an envelope. When I saw him next, he told me he’d kept the envelope with my note because it moved him to tears. That’s the power of being raw and real.

So, when you’re reaching out to clients or writing a post, ask yourself: How can I be even more raw? How can I write with my heart ripped open and truly connect? It’s not about convincing or selling; it’s about creating a space where people feel loved and seen.

This approach has not only enriched my coaching practice but also deepened my relationships with everyone around me.

In the spirit of being raw, one of the things I’ve noticed is that coaches often find it difficult to know how to approach enrolment. This is something I’ve talked about in London for my AJC Coaching Career School. You can watch the video below.

With love and appreciation,
Ankush Jain
Coach and Author of Sweet Sharing – Rediscovering the REAL You