Becoming a coach or consultant is one of the most rewarding career choices today. It allows you to use your expertise, help others achieve success, and build a flexible business model. However, it also comes with challenges: balancing what you love, what you’re skilled at, and what actually pays.
The viral Venn diagram of a coach or consultant captures this perfectly. It shows that many professionals struggle with the mismatch between passion, ability, and income. Let’s break it down and explore how you can find the sweet spot that leads to both personal fulfillment and financial success.
Understanding the Four Elements of the Diagram
1. Things I Like to Do
This represents passion. As a coach or consultant, you may love brainstorming strategies, mentoring individuals, speaking at events, or designing frameworks. But passion alone isn’t enough if it doesn’t connect with skills or market demand.
2. Things I’m Good At
This represents expertise. Your strengths could be analytical problem-solving, leadership training, marketing, or project management. These are valuable, but without enjoyment, they can quickly lead to burnout.
3. Things That Make Me Money
This represents market demand. Even if you’re passionate and skilled, not every service has paying clients. This circle reminds us that the business side of coaching or consulting requires choosing offers people will invest in.
4. The Thing I Do
This represents your current work. Many coaches and consultants find themselves doing something out of habit or necessity that doesn’t quite overlap with what they love, excel at, or monetize well. This gap creates dissatisfaction.
Why Many Coaches and Consultants Feel Stuck
The Venn diagram highlights why so many professionals feel unfulfilled:
- You may love what you do, but it doesn’t pay.
- You may make good money, but you don’t enjoy it.
- You may be good at something, but it’s not in demand.
- You may be doing a lot of things, but not the ones that truly align.
This disconnect is why some consultants burn out, and why many coaches never scale their business beyond a side hustle.
The Goal: Finding the Sweet Spot
The ideal career alignment is where:
- You love what you’re doing.
- You’re highly skilled at it.
- Clients are willing to pay for it.
That’s the sweet spot of purpose + proficiency + profit.
When you operate in this zone, you feel energized, confident, and financially secure. Your work no longer feels like a grind—it feels like a calling.
Practical Steps to Find Alignment
Step 1: Audit Your Current Work
Ask yourself:
- Which tasks do I look forward to?
- Which ones drain me?
- What do clients value most in my work?
- What pays the bills but feels misaligned?
Document these answers honestly.
Step 2: Define Your Core Zone of Genius
Your zone of genius lies at the intersection of skills and passion. For example, if you love teaching and are great at simplifying complex topics, coaching might be your sweet spot.
Step 3: Test Market Demand
Before going all-in, validate if your sweet spot is monetizable. Ask:
- Do people pay for this service?
- Who is my ideal client?
- Can I package this skill into offers (sessions, workshops, online courses)?
Step 4: Create Offers That Balance All Three
Design services that reflect what you love, what you’re skilled at, and what people need. For example:
- If you’re a marketing consultant who loves speaking, offer workshops or training instead of just audits.
- If you’re a life coach who loves writing, consider paid e-books or online courses.
Step 5: Review and Refine Regularly
Your sweet spot can evolve. Every 6–12 months, re-check if your work still aligns with passion, skill, and profit.
Common Mistakes Coaches and Consultants Make
- Chasing money only – leads to burnout and lack of fulfillment.
- Focusing on passion only – feels fun but unsustainable without clients.
- Relying on skills only – keeps you “safe” but uninspired.
- Doing everything at once – dilutes your brand and exhausts you.
Avoid these traps by constantly checking your Venn diagram balance.
Case Studies: How Alignment Changes Everything
- The Marketing Consultant: Initially took on every project that paid but hated social media management. Shifted to strategy consulting and doubled income while enjoying the work.
- The Executive Coach: Was good at coaching but struggled to monetize. Created group coaching programs and online content, turning passion into scalable income.
- The Career Consultant: Loved writing resumes but wasn’t making money. Expanded into LinkedIn branding and interview prep, aligning skills with demand.
Building a Profitable Coaching/Consulting Business
To thrive, focus on three pillars:
1. Brand Positioning
Be clear about what you offer and to whom. Niche down—clients pay more for specialists than generalists.
2. Marketing & Visibility
Use content marketing, social media, and referrals to showcase expertise. Share case studies, results, and testimonials.
3. Pricing & Packaging
Don’t just sell time; sell value. Package your expertise into coaching programs, consulting retainers, or online products.
Helpful Table: Aligning Passion, Skills, and Profit
| Element | Questions to Ask | Example for Coaches/Consultants |
|---|---|---|
| Like to Do | What energizes me? What do I enjoy daily? | Hosting group sessions, writing, public speaking |
| Good At | What do clients compliment me on? | Problem-solving, mentoring, strategy |
| Make Money | What services are clients paying for now? | Leadership training, digital marketing, wellness coaching |
| Thing I Do | Does my daily work reflect all three circles? | If not, what must I change? |
FAQs About Coaching and Consulting Alignment
Q1. Can I make money doing only what I love?
Sometimes yes, but usually not without strategy. Aligning passion with demand is the key.
Q2. What if I’m good at something but don’t enjoy it?
Consider outsourcing or transitioning out of it. Sustainable careers require fulfillment.
Q3. How do I know what clients will pay for?
Research your niche, analyze competitors, and ask potential clients directly.
Q4. Can I combine multiple passions into my consulting practice?
Yes, but start with one clear niche. Once established, expand your services.
Q5. How often should I re-check my alignment?
At least twice a year. Markets shift, and so do personal interests.
