Fitness, Business, Fitness Business, & Achieving Life Goals

We all reach points in our lives when we need to make choices in the direction our lives will take. Sometimes it’s an easy choice and other times we reach that crossroad unsure of which path is the correct one. Or you feel that the way that you really want to go is a risky, rough terrain that could leave back where started.  The other path is flat, safe, and will keep you in the predictable direction of your current life. Which way do you go?

The thing about forks in the road is that there is usually a sign post that tells you what lies at the end of the road. It would be highly unlikely that they end up in the same place. So the question is more, “Where do you want to go?” Who cares if you travel safely if it doesn’t get you where you want to be?

Take the risky road if it will lead you to your dream. It could be easier than you imagined and the worst that could happen is that you have to start again. And each time you fail, you learn how you can do it better next time, taking you closer to your goal. The alternative is a life uninspired and unfulfilled.

I recently reached one of those forks myself, stay on the same path and be safe or take the road less travelled with uncertain results. After 6.5 years as the Fitness Director at Saco Sport & Fitness I have resigned and left that position in pursuit of more writing, coaching, and consulting opportunities. I’m not guaranteed success, but it’ll be an exciting ride and to do less would keep me from reaching my potential. I couldn’t do that.

What’s your destination? Will your road take you there? Be brave and choose the path to your dream.

Best wishes, Mark Nutting

Note* part of my personal/professional “restructuring” is to separate my blogs. http://marknutting.com will continue as a Business of Personal Training site. My fitness blogging will continue at two other sites Ensemble Fitness Club and Guiding Stars. Please join me there for more health and fitness posts.

I had an Epiphany a while back that I decided to share with you… working for someone else is like renting your apartment.

Many people may live in an apartment all of their lives (I did for most of mine), and that is perfectly fine as long as that’s what they want, but we also realize that financially speaking, you aren’t building equity in an apartment. The money I payed for rent and any of the improvements I made on past apartments were lost each time I moved.

Working for someone else is like that. Many people may work for others all of their lives, and that is perfectly fine as long as that’s what they want. It does offer a paycheck, opportunities to learn and grow in the business (depending on who you work for), and probably some social interaction, but you aren’t building equity in your job. Managers, owners, and economies can change at the drop of a hat. Then, suddenly, you’re out of a job.

Owning your own company on the other hand, like buying a house, allows you to build equity in that business that you can later have someone else run and still make money. Or you can sell it and use the proceeds to retire or invest in a new company. If that’s your dream, then you need to start your own business.

Now, before people get up in arms and say, “Easier said then done.” let me say, “I know.” If it was easy, everyone would have their own company. It takes a vision, planning, finding capital, and endless hard work in the start up. Wouldn’t it be worth it though?

Those of you that know me may also say, “But you work for a company.” I know. I do. But not solely. I have side businesses that, if I chose to, or needed to, I could do full time. I’m also working on two major business plans and will launch one within the next year that will create that business equity I’ve been talking about. (I’ll reveal more about them at a later date.)

What about you? Where does your future lie?

Best of luck, Mark