Network Magazine Summer 2018 | Page 16

I had a challenge, in that I wasn’t working for a gym, so had no facility in which to train him. So I had to pretend that Bob was my training partner while we ‘worked out together’ at the local gym, which didn’t ingratiate me with the trainers there who were frustrated that I was taking a client into their territory as a rogue operator. My methods may not have been entirely above board, but I can’t regret it because my experience working with Bob switched me on to loving working with personal training clients and seeing how coaching and teaching could powerfully transform someone’s life. I don’t believe there is anything more rewarding in life than serving others and making a difference in somebody’s life through the work you do. And that’s what you’re trying to really figure out at this stage. How will you grow and follow your passion in this career path, and will it be something you will truly love doing day-in-and-day-out? The keys to success are to expand your vision. Seek others who’ve been down the path you’re exploring before. Ask good questions. Listen to everything they have to say. Take it all in. 2 Work full time in the fitness industry Revenue: $0 - 2,500 per month. Challenge: You love working with clients but struggle to communicate with prospective clients in a way that inspires them to sign up for your programs. You may get uncomfortable when asking people for money and struggle with valuing yourself and your time. You may also feel that you shouldn’t have to compromise your values to grow your business. Goal: You want to help more prospective clients commit to their goals, charge what you’re worth, and fill your schedule with great clients you love working with. Success factors: Mindset, Vision and Sales. To break out on your own, you must learn how to sell. Nothing makes I don’t believe there is anything more rewarding in life than serving others and making a difference in somebody’s life through the work you do. 16 | NETWORK SUMMER 2018 a greater immediate impact on your bottom line than mastering salesmanship. If you’re going to make anything of yourself in business, you must first learn how to sell. Many people think of sales as something sleazy: a used car salesman taking advantage of people, making them buy something they don’t want and that isn’t right for them. Certainly, these characters exist, but professional salesmanship is something entirely different. To be really good in sales you have to both love people and love serving people, because then you can truly live the ethos that ‘selling is serving.’ When you take the time to really understand and care for the prospect in front of you, and direct them in a positive direction to solve their problems or achieve their goals, you are serving them at the highest level. What are their goals? Why are their goals important to them? How committed are they to achieving their goals/solving their problems? Learning all the components involved in effective salesmanship makes the biggest impact on driving you forward quickly. When you combine that with a couple of referrals, you’ll find your schedule gets busy very quickly. 2 Ready to open and grow a business 3 Revenue: $2,500 - 10,000 per month. Challenge: You’ve started to grow a business, but don’t know what to do to find new clients. You may be scared you’re not good enough to charge clients to work with you. You may even believe you don’t deserve to be successful yet. Goal: Build a client base, pay yourself every month, and create a foundation to grow beyond yourself. Success factors: Professional Development, and Sales & Marketing. This is a fun but tough stage. Up until now, you’ve learned how to work hard and how to be successful by doing a better job than others out there. You’re supporting yourself and making some money, and you want to take things up a gear by making your business a big success. But you might not be ready to do so just yet.