Did you know that 70% of people who start an exercise program drop out within the first two to three months? These are not good odds!
It’s now widely accepted that the problem has nothing to do with the person but rather with the process.
You see, most people who want to start exercising just start. Imagine if you wanted to build a house. You’d start out with an architectural plan first to know exactly what you wanted your house to look like. Or what if you wanted to start a business? The banks would require a business plan first, right? They’d want to ensure that you’ve really thought it through carefully and you’ve got a good plan to enhance success. Well, these same guidelines apply to exercise. You’ve got to have a plan for success that your clients can follow!
This is why the first few months of their fitness experience are so important. This is when most people drop out. So at Northwest Personal Training we focus on getting clients past that stage to the point where they’re experiencing great results – and that alone and your help, will motivate them to keep going. The problem is most people stop exercising before they even had the chance to see the changes to their body. For both our client’s sake and for the sake of your successful business….we can’t let that happen!
After working with various clients for a number of years, we’ve noticed a number of characteristics that separate those who succeed with their fitness program from those who do not. Last week we discussed how your clients will see more results if the are committed to and fully understand the importance of eating right, drinking enough water, exercising enough and getting the right amount of sleep. The more results clients see the more likely they will stick with you right? Well, here are the “Four Laws of Success” that we expect our clients to accept. By buying into these Four Laws and the detailed commitments we reviewed last week….your clients and your business should be set to see great results!
First Law – The law of possession.
Clients need to understand that if they are going to achieve results, it is going to be up to them. The phrases “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me” or “If I think I can or think I can’t, I’m right,” ring very true. They have to take ultimate responsibility for success or failure. Sometimes clients believe their trainer is going to be the one who makes it happen for them. At Northwest Personal Training, we set them straight right away. All we can do is educate and guide. Our clients must be willing to make and stick to the changes. You cannot completely rely on someone else (like a personal trainer or workout partner) to make it happen for you.
Second Law – The law of effort.
Anything worth achieving is worth working for. Exercise and healthy eating takes discipline, will power, character, persistence, and a commitment to delayed gratification.
Third Law – The law of consistency.
A month-long effort is not going to get clients where they want to be. In order to achieve any goal, clients must stick to their game plan for the long-term. Getting off track for a week is no big deal if they are consistent in their efforts, but if they are regularly tempted away from their program, they will not succeed.
Consistency and persistence are the keys to manifesting any goal.
Remember that if a client wants to be 10 pounds thinner 10 years from now, it is not what they do over the next eight weeks that matters. It is what they do over the next 10 years! All the changes we suggest must be followed for the rest of their lives – so of course, we are going to make room for indulgences. The program has got to be realistic if they’re going to stick to it. There are no short-term, quick fix solutions. Researchers have found only one characteristic common to those who succeed with exercise. All such people move toward their goal one step at a time. They are committed to constant, never-ending improvement. In practical terms, it means that regardless of anything else – busy work schedules, lack of energy, lack of time, feeling old, feeling lazy, hating exercise – they make no excuses! They keep exercising, taking their long-term goals and splitting them up into smaller goals. They take it one day at a time.
Fourth Law – The law of self-efficacy.
If you find clients are already questioning whether or not they can actually make the required changes, they are going to have a difficult time with their program. They must believe you can do it and you must help them get there! Think of self-esteem as a bank. Each time they keep a promise to themselves, the store of self-esteem gets bigger, making it easier to keep the next promise to themselves.
It’s all about “Results Momentum” – achieving one result gives you the confidence to achieve the next goal.
Each time a promise is broken, however, their self-esteem goes down, making it easier to break the next promise. Reinforce this belief by encouraging them to surround themselves with others (like you!) who are doing or have accomplished what they’re attempting. After all, if others can do it, so can they! We’ve got plenty of success stories at Northwest Personal Training to inspire our clients to Reach for their Best! Share your success stories with your clients!
So get your clients to buy into these important laws of success and you will see success for your clients and your business!
Yours in health, fitness & business,
Sherri McMillan
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