In a recent LinkedIn post, Mark O’Donnell explores the critical importance of protecting one’s time, particularly for coaches, arguing that it is not selfish but essential for delivering high-quality, consistent results. O’Donnell observes a common trap among coaches: being constantly available, which paradoxically does not lead to improved client outcomes.
As Mark O’Donnell notes:
“Being accessible feels like good service. But if your clients need you between sessions, your session didn’t do its job.”
O’Donnell emphasizes that true value lies in a coach’s ability to empower clients to progress independently, rather than fostering dependency through perpetual availability. He posits that effective coaching relies on a robust process that supports the client even when direct interaction is not occurring.
The Foundation of Effective Coaching: Focus and Process
O’Donnell highlights ‘focus’ as the real power law in coaching. He explains that scattering attention across numerous clients, administrative tasks, and reactive communications dilutes productivity and effectiveness. Instead, he advocates for a structured approach where attention is strategically directed.
According to Mark O’Donnell:
“Focus is the real power law. Where your attention goes, your results will follow.”
He further argues that the coaching session itself must be the primary vehicle for client progress. A well-executed session should equip the client with all necessary tools and insights to move forward autonomously. O’Donnell suggests that a sign of a successful engagement is a client who can sustain progress for extended periods without immediate intervention.
Structuring for Long-Term Success
A key element of O’Donnell’s strategy involves working within a ’90-day rhythm.’ He explains that this timeframe aligns with human capacity for sustained focus and suggests structuring coaching practices around quarterly sessions with clearly defined priorities. This structured approach, he contends, prevents the need for constant improvisation, which consumes valuable time.
Mark O’Donnell points out the efficiency gained from a proven process:
“Run the process, don’t reinvent it. The moment you start improvising your approach, you start spending time you don’t have.”
This reliance on a tested methodology ensures coaches enter each session prepared, maximizing their impact and minimizing time spent on non-essential activities. He also stresses that a coach’s core value is delivered ‘in the room,’ during the session itself. Tasks like scheduling, administrative work, and follow-ups, while necessary, do not require the coach’s direct involvement once a practice reaches a certain scale. O’Donnell advises hiring support staff to manage these functions, thereby freeing the coach to concentrate on high-value client interaction.
The Perils of Constant Availability
O’Donnell cautions that being perpetually available inadvertently trains clients to be perpetually reliant. This constant accessibility, he argues, can hinder a client’s development of self-sufficiency. Instead, he advocates for setting boundaries and trusting the established coaching system to support clients between formal sessions.
In Mark O’Donnell’s view:
“Being always available trains clients to always need you. Coaches who have no boundaries only build dependency.”
He concludes by reframing time protection not as a luxury, but as a fundamental requirement for consistent, high-quality work. By establishing clear boundaries and processes, coaches can ensure they are performing at their best, ultimately benefiting their clients.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Mark O'Donnell on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 20, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →