Clients come to us for many different reasons, but one of the top reasons is because they need the motivation and accountability that comes with personal training and group training. But, what happens when those same clients are trying to find the motivation to exercise when you aren’t there to push them? Try telling them about these effective mind games that can be big time motivators…..
Mantras
Pick an inspiring phrase that you repeat over and over again to put you in a trance-type state that assures you to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Something like “I can do this”, “I’m stronger than I think I am”, “Keep going”, “Never quit” or “I got this” might do the trick for you.
Don’t forget to sign up to automatically receive my latest blog post in your inbox!
Right at the top of the page.
Make a Deal
A little bribery might help! Make deals with yourself. For example, you could say “Run to the next water station, then I can walk for 2 minutes” or “Make it through the first loop, then I’ll take a short break” or “Complete 5 workouts this week and then get 2 rest days” or “Push hard for 30 seconds, then go easy for 5 minutes” or “Just go for 10 minutes and then decide if you will continue or not.”
Mind Games
Literally play games to take your mind off the effort. For example, you could go through the alphabet thinking of an inspirational word for each letter. You could consider the months in a year and think of someone you love who celebrates a birthday in each month. You could count to 500 and then reverse counting backwards from 500. You could count as high as you can in a second language. You could create or add to your bucket list in your head.
Break it Down
There is a popular phrase that responds to the question “How do you eat an elephant?” with the response “One bite at a time!” If you are faced with a challenge that seems impossible and overwhelming, break it into smaller, easier-to-accomplish chucks. For example, if you are trying to run a 10K, break it into two 5Ks. If you are competing a triathlon, focus on the swim first, then the bike, then the run. If you are trying to get through a one hour workout, break it into four 15 minute segments. Whatever it is you are tackling, take it one step at a time.
Remember Your WHY
When you are struggling to finish, take the time to reflect on why you started. What is your reason? Ask yourself what did you hope to accomplish? Make a list of your goals. Keep asking yourself WHY! For example “I signed up for this race to challenge myself and lose some weight.” WHY? “Because I wanted to prove I could do it and I want to be able to get back into my clothes.” WHY? “Because I know I’ll feel a lot better about myself which is important to me.” WHY? “I want to be a good role model to my kids and live my life to the fullest”
Remember Others’ Struggles
I’ve participated in races where I had to force myself to gain a little perspective by remembering what others’ were going through. So if I was climbing a tough hill, I would consider that this was nothing compared to what my girlfriend who was undergoing chemo was going through. Or if I felt like quitting during a workout, I would think of a friend who had great struggles and wasn’t making any excuses. It’s easy to find someone who is older, less fit, dealing with health issues or physical disabilities, busier, with less resources that is still figuring it out. Sometimes putting things in perspective makes it easier to continue.
Past Reflections
It is often helpful to remember back to when you first started and reflect on how far you have come. Feeling good about how much you have accomplished can often give you a boost of energy and confidence to keep going. For example, when you are struggling to get to the finish line of a Half Marathon, remember back to when you couldn’t even run a block. Or when you’re struggling to complete a set of chinups, remember when you couldn’t even do one.
Reward
Having a carrot as an incentive to keep going can be very helpful for many. For example, if I finish this tough race, we are going on a weekend get-away. If I complete 3 cardio and 2 muscle conditioning workouts this week, I will book a massage. If I get through this challenging trail run, we’ll go to our favorite coffee shop and enjoy each other’s’ company. If I reach XYZ goal, I will treat myself to a shopping trip or buy something I’ve always wanted. Sometimes, if you can’t find the internal motivation, external motivation can work wonders to get you through a big goal!
Yours in health, fitness & business,
Sherri McMillan
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2017 FALL FITNESS & TRAINING FORUM!!!
GUEST PRESENTER AMY DIXON. PORTLAND, OR. NOV 5TH.
REGISTER NOW!!!
Want to know how we “close” 80% of all our potential new clients (no matter which trainer is conducting the complimentary session)? All of our trainers use the same system. Learn our system and make it your own (and get the documents you need) with my “Make or Break Your First Session with a Prospective Client” eVideo. No download necessary. Watch as many times as you like. Share with your team. Use as a training tool!
Automatically get 25% off through the end of Aug!
Like what you see here? Want more info, more details and more forms for your business? The Business of Personal Training System is for you! I give you the exact system that I use everyday at our small 5,000 sq. foot Personal Training studio.
Did you know that I wrote the ONLY complete training business system designed to help you run a million dollar personal training business?! You can have this same business system that will help you work SMARTER and generate HUGE profits like we do here at Northwest Personal Training. The fee to purchase the Business of Personal Training System can be made up within 1 month of increased PT sales and there are NO recurring franchise or licensing fees. A comparable business system in other industries would require an initial investment of tens of thousands of dollars.
Buy now and catapult your PT business to a new level.
