Personal Training Business: 28 Ways To Succeed. A Post by Pat Rigsby
When we (or pretty much anyone else for that matter) talk about personal training business success, it often turns to marketing and sales or developing and implementing programs.
All of that ‘stuff’ is important. Even crucial. But if you want to be successful, you need a foundation. Here are 37 tips & lessons that will give you foundation you need for lasting success:
- Treat others the way you want to be treated.
- Be early…on time is tolerable. Late is never acceptable.
- Do what you say you’re going to do. Try to do more. Never do less.
- Focus on what you can control.
- Learn from the experiences of other – not just your own.
- Live your life like most people do and you’re going to settle for what most people get.
- ‘Trying’ isn’t enough. It’s an excuse. Either you’re doing something or you’re not.
- You never fail until you quit, make excuses or die.
- If you want to achieve something write it down.
- Make your goals specific and measurable. The more specific you are, the more quickly you’ll be able to achieve them.
- Plan every day. Success isn’t an accident.
- Write out tomorrow’s plan the night before and review it throughout the course of the day.
- If you want your personal training business to be more successful – apply the 80/20 Principle.
- Discipline yourself…focus your energy, thoughts and actions on the task at hand and eliminate useless distractions.
- Schedule everything. Personal time too. Why wouldn’t that be as important as an appointment with a client?
- Outsource, delegate or eliminate things that provide a low return on your time in your personal training business.
- Take control of your time. Just because the phone rings, there’s a knock at the door, an email enters your inbox or someone instant messages you doesn’t mean you have to immediately give them your time.
- Tell the truth. There’s no such thing as a good liar.
- Listen more than you talk.
- Accept that there is no ‘Get Rich Quick’ solution and that the only shortcuts are working smart, working hard and learning from others mistakes.
- It’s not only about you. Help others get what they want and you’ll get what you want. Be a problem solver.
- Be nice. Genuinely care about others’ success and happiness.
- Surround yourself with successful people.
- Make every interaction a Win/Win.
- Focus on getting 1% better each day. Small improvements add up.
- Sell people what they want. Give them what they need.
- Mean what you say.
- Take responsibility. If you make a mistake – own up. No excuses.
- Failure is part of the process as a Personal Training Business entrepreneur. Accept it. Learn from it. Move on.
- Change is inevitable. Embrace it.
- If ‘if’s and ‘but’s were candy and nuts – every day would be Christmas. ‘If only…’ is dreaming. It’s not reality. And there is plenty of opportunity in reality.
- We’re not judged on what we could have been – rather we’re judged by what we actually become.
- Life isn’t fair. Get over it.
- Don’t dwell on the past and don’t live in the future. Focus on today.
- Half of success is showing up. Do the work…day after day. Don’t get distracted. That’s how you become better than everyone else.
- Today is the best day to start (anything.) Procrastination is contagious. Wait until tomorrow and you may find yourself waiting until next week, next month or next year.
- If you’re waiting for circumstances to be different (or perfect) – you’re in for a long wait. Stop waiting and start doing.
What do you think? Are there any I missed when it comes to personal training business success? If you can think of some, share them below.
Dedicated to your success,
Pat Rigsby
Pat Rigsby is a Co-Owner of the International Youth Conditioning Association & the youth fitness franchise Athletic Revolution as well as a fitness industry consultant serving thousands of personal trainers and fitness entrepreneurs. Sign up for his fitness business free newsletter to discover proven marketing, sales and business strategies, along with blog updates, news, and more! While you’re at it, follow him on Twitter.
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Awesome list…to be honest I love numbers 1-37;)
If I had to choose:
#4, #9, #29, #36 really stood out.
Thanks Pat.
Donovan Owens
The Boot Camp Godfather
Great list! My favorite is #25. I heard Mike Litman speak a few months ago and he said the same thing…just focus on improving your business or life 1% everyday.
A great follow-up to this is to email somebody (or yourself) what it is that you specifically need each day to improve 1%. Mike challenged us to email him everyday for 30 days. I did and it made a huge difference in my productivity and focus.
Bobbi
Making fitness fun.
Love the list! They’re all great nuggets of truth…
Great Post! Some I know, some I forgot and even a few new ones to think about.
Thanks!
Michael
Awesome post! One of the best yet. Thanks Pat.
This is a great reminder about the little things in life that really matter. My tops on this list have to be…#3,#7,#18,#22, and #28.
Keep up the great stuff!
Great post! One I like is “Life isn’t about finding yourself it’s about creating yourself!” If you find yourself you might not like what you find. You have the power to create the person and the life you want! Take daily action! It’s called the Law of 5! Do five things daily that get you closer to your goal. Build you business by an inch it’s a cinch, build by a yard it’s hard! I know, it’s a little cheesy but it’s true! Keep up the great work!
Time, time, time. One resource that is totally limited. Use it wisely and leverage it. Don’t waste it you ain’t getting a do-over. Time management is most trainers and business people I work with their biggest struggle.
Randy Woody
http://randywoody.com
Pat, your list of tips and lessons is right on for fitness business success!
Just a little follow up on # 9… I’ve got 2 more to add:
1. Before your head hits the pillow write down what you want to accomplish the next morning. Better yet, do that at the end of the workday so you know exactly what you will be doing the next morning
Purpose is one key in Justice of the P’s (A speech I did for Toastmasters).
2. Before your feet touch the ground in the morning, put your brain on right and smile. You know your purpose and what you are going to accomplish today, this morning in particular. The smile sets the tone for the day, and you are ready to hit the ground running!
Hi Guys,
Great list!
I want to add one more.
Think Big! – One of my favorite quotes is:
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim
is too high and we miss it. Rather, it’s that we aim too
low and we reach it.”
– Michelangelo
My sign off to my clients is the same wish to you all:
Remember, Success IS Possible!
~Irene
Powerful Stuff. If only it was as easy to live them as it is to understand their simple wisdom. But having a list written down is a step in the right direction. I just printed this out and tacked it to my wall. Thanks.
And a few more to add to add to the list:
Be present in what you do. If you are talking with someone, focus on them, not your email, your texts or anyone or anything else. Life is so much richer when you are present in every moment. Multi-tasking is an impossibility.
Also, as the old saying goes, luck is where opportunity meets preparation – and opportunity is everywhere, so it is our job to be prepared, identify the opportunities and sieze them.
Pat, you guys put out another great list. You can bet all my PT staff is going to get a copy at this week’s staff meeting.
Good Stuff for being successful in any field, not just personal trainers in my opinion
38: Luck is when preparation meets opportunity
39: your body is a temple of the holy spirit
40. seek ye first the kingdom of god, and all else will be granted unto you
41. Jeremiah 29:11-13 look it up and you will learn god’s plan for your life
#11. Plan every day. Success isn’t an accident.
Thats a gooden!!
Great points to start the day. Love them all.
Thanks for the reminders guys and some new points to remember. Keep up the great work and for constantly keeping us on our toes…;-)
Fantastic! Exactly what i like to read in the morning.
Love this list! All of it is great advice – except #33. That’s bunk. What we get out of life is in exact proportion to what we put into it. So, life is completely “fair.”
Thanks, again!
Sunny
@Bobbi Johnson -
Thanks Bobbi!
Anything else I can help with, please let me know.
Mike Litman
Hey Pat
Thanks for the great post. Got to print out the list and constantly read them and remind myself to do them. I found that writing a list of things to do really help.
Great post, how did I miss this one when it came out?
Great post! Great list Coach Briody
At Tiger Schulmann’s MMA, our youth programs are designed to instill confidence and aid children in developing to their fullest potential. We seek to help build a solid foundation in life for as many children as possible, by assisting them in achieving a healthy mind and body through martial arts instruction. This wellbeing will instill in them the self-confidence, focus and determination necessary to become strong and successful in every aspect of life.
Our adult program is designed to help one achieve self-confidence through physical conditioning and mastering the art of self-defense. We strive to train as many adults as possible to be physically fit and relieved of everyday stress and adept in practical martial arts skill, which will assist them in becoming more confident and successful in every aspect of their lives. http://www.tsk.com/index.php