It's been a rough year. Honestly, around Thanksgiving I wondered how Christmas could possibly be successful. We've been frugal, but it seemed, business-wise that I had been in a constant wash. I would take on a client or two but then lose a few. Travel, injury, illness, are all factors. But then I realized what I could change--my mentality. I adopted the "go get more" motto from my brief life insurance sales experience. I realized that ultimately, if I can't sell anyone I can't help anyone. My approach was off. I was conducting more of a clinical assessment for a first meeting which is important, but what I realized as a solution was the same thing that got me into fitness in the first place: excitement.
People--you, me, everyone--need to feel inspired, excited, motivated, and that the steps they are taking are the right ones. It's like venturing onto a frozen lake or pond. You take a careful and cautious step, listening and feeling for any sign of weakness. More likely than not, it's really the fear of falling through that will keep you from taking that second, third, and fourth step and so on. Odds are even if the ice was completely solid you would turn around and forget about the idea. Same thing happens in real life. We are so afraid of failure that even if we have taken that necessary first step we will turn back and do what's...safe. comfortable. known. But if you had someone on the other side of the lake pointing out the reasons why it's necessary to cross, the means, the plan, etc, wouldn't you be less afraid and more motivated to take action? So that's what I've started to do at my first meeting with potential clients, and folks--it's working.
It feels so good to be a part of another person's success that I am always thinking about ways to help improve each of my clients individually. And though I can't and don't do all of the possible things I can to help each person, I work my hardest to do all I can. My genuine commitment to them pays off. For them, and for me. It has been my best month to date as far as business, fitness programming, and results. And by results I don't just mean someone doing more pushups (although that is definitely happening!). I've always believed and stated that the changes that happen internally are much more profound that anything physical. I see mindsets change even before my clients do, and some of the quotes I have heard and written down from these people pump me up so much.
Going back to the title of this blog--Christmas "happened" for us due to the generous monetary gifts from my clients along with me busting my hump and making my bonus and having the best pay period I've had to date. Having the ability to let my wife pick out her "dream boots" and watching her weep in happiness was the only gift I needed this year. Hard work pays off, and keeping my perspective of my wife and family make it all worthwhile. Merry Christmas everyone, and thanks for being part of my life!
People--you, me, everyone--need to feel inspired, excited, motivated, and that the steps they are taking are the right ones. It's like venturing onto a frozen lake or pond. You take a careful and cautious step, listening and feeling for any sign of weakness. More likely than not, it's really the fear of falling through that will keep you from taking that second, third, and fourth step and so on. Odds are even if the ice was completely solid you would turn around and forget about the idea. Same thing happens in real life. We are so afraid of failure that even if we have taken that necessary first step we will turn back and do what's...safe. comfortable. known. But if you had someone on the other side of the lake pointing out the reasons why it's necessary to cross, the means, the plan, etc, wouldn't you be less afraid and more motivated to take action? So that's what I've started to do at my first meeting with potential clients, and folks--it's working.
It feels so good to be a part of another person's success that I am always thinking about ways to help improve each of my clients individually. And though I can't and don't do all of the possible things I can to help each person, I work my hardest to do all I can. My genuine commitment to them pays off. For them, and for me. It has been my best month to date as far as business, fitness programming, and results. And by results I don't just mean someone doing more pushups (although that is definitely happening!). I've always believed and stated that the changes that happen internally are much more profound that anything physical. I see mindsets change even before my clients do, and some of the quotes I have heard and written down from these people pump me up so much.
Going back to the title of this blog--Christmas "happened" for us due to the generous monetary gifts from my clients along with me busting my hump and making my bonus and having the best pay period I've had to date. Having the ability to let my wife pick out her "dream boots" and watching her weep in happiness was the only gift I needed this year. Hard work pays off, and keeping my perspective of my wife and family make it all worthwhile. Merry Christmas everyone, and thanks for being part of my life!
