Not just as a Health or Life Coach you have to decide: specialist or generalist?

Specialists seem to be everywhere – it almost looks like generalists are not needed anymore. Let’s have a look to see if generalists will be soon extinct like the dinosaurs or if there is still a need for them…

I’m sitting across my general doctor and think once again: “I hate you, but I love you!”

The second time within two years Dr. Hunger told me to change my lifestyle.

Instead of running from one specialist to the next to get these weird symptoms checked.

Dr. Hunger was my family doctor for many years. And whilst he was a general doctor, he had  his “specialty”:

Normally he’d ask you to wait for a few weeks before going to a specialist, recommended non-prescription natural remedies, or just told you to “calm the heck down and change your lifestyle, avoiding stress”…

Why do I tell this story?

One question I get over and over again is “but isn’t there a need for generalists?”

And yes, there is!

Hold on – don’t stop reading thinking “Christiane is a nut case, all the time she asks people to niche down and now she is saying generalists are needed – pfhhh…”

There is a need for both – generalists and specialists.

You can make a living as a general health practitioner and if you’re very knowledgeable and spend lots of time keeping up to speed, you can be one of the rare kind adding a lot of value to people who don’t even know where to start yet.

Only, in many cases, you won’t be the one solving their problem. You’ll be the one sending them to the specialist!

And you won’t be charging the premium for helping with a very special case of <younameit> because this person is pretty desperate to get the problem solved and is willing to pay for it.

Ok, I understand you’re not in this game for the money, you love what you do and you genuinely want to help people. And this is what you should and can do!

It really is a mindset shift…

And if you still need some little pokes to change your mindset and finally define your juicy niche, think of the other downsides of being a generalist.

Want to look into niching now? Get my 10 Questions to Define & Dominate your Niche Workbook

This might sound counterintuitive because there is unarguable a lot of need for general services.

But: How do you stand out from the crowd of service providers? How are you different? General services are often bought having our convenience in mind.

When Dr. Hunger retired, I had to find another family doctor.

And whilst I traveled to visit Dr. Hunger, I then searched in my area and found one – because my requirements for a first consultation are easily met.

Btw, normally I call my homeopath (which I have chosen because she is specialized in hormonal balance but became my go-to medical person) – and to get to her practice I have to travel at least 45 minutes…)

As you might know, I am living in Munich, I love to walk and run and I get bored easily… So, I differ my routes when out walking or running.

And even in my suburb, I could choose between dozens if not more than a hundred naturopaths/health coaches. I am always amazed about the amount.

Years back I was researching general doctors for a project. In a radius of 2,5 km around my house, I found more than 200! 😳

Yes, it looks very different when you are out of town, and nowadays you can do most things online anyway.

But people need to find you first and then believe, that you are the right person.

When there is nothing that makes you stand out, see #1 again 👆

Want to look into niching now? Get my 10 Questions to Define & Dominate your Niche Workbook

We humans search for validation, we have a need to be seen and heard, we even like to put others and ourselves in boxes.

Sometimes that’s bad, but it also helps us to cope with all the influences and sensory input we are exposed to every day.

This tendency creates also the need to be acknowledged with the problems we are having. We think that our situation is special, or we are special because the combination of our circumstances is different (and I can tell you I am the same sometimes *blush smiley* )

As service providers, we can use this need to create a connection to our ideal client.

Making them feel heard and understood. Giving them the relief that someone knows and understands their specific situation and can help.

But for this, you need to know your ideal client, their fears, hopes, and values inside out!

Did you ever get one of these flyers for take-away or delivery food, that offers Italian, Indian, Chinese food + burgers and sushi?

I’d never order there! (but maybe I’m special)

How can anyone do everything really well? I think no one can.

Would you get a plumber-electrician-gardener to work on any critical parts of your home?

As we experienced ourselves, that half-knowledge or hobby-skills can do a lot of harm, we tend to stay away from people who pretend to be able to do everything…

Don’t put yourself in this spot, instead, make your expertise sparkle and shine!

I hope I triggered a mindset shift and would love to hear from you.

Photo via canva.com