I was just watching a video by business guru, Gary Vaynerchuk, about how patience and hard work are essential in reaching your goals. It reminded me about all of the young personal trainers I’ve known through the years that had great potential, but when their business didn’t build as quickly as they thought it would, they left the field for a guaranteed pay check (one in particular, with a degree in exercise science, went to work in a lumber store).  This, to me who has had a wonderful career spanning more than 37 years, is incredibly sad and it stems from some preconceived notion that success should somehow be quick and easy.

Why aren’t they prepared to put in the time and effort? Maybe it’s that see other personal trainers in the club doing well and believe that will just happen for them, or maybe they have seen some get rich scheme or system that is marketed to personal trainers. I may never know, but it’s just like we tell our clients, it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and consistent work to reach our goals.

Now, of course, the time and effort it takes needs to be well spent. Continue to learn, particularly marketing and sales. Then implement. Try different things, different ways of approaching potential clients, different ways of bundling services, different ways of asking for a commitment, etc. Then know that you will fail on some of these things and don’t fear it, embrace it. Every time you fail is a chance to learn, get better, and come that much closer to succeeding the next time.

Don’t be one of the “could have been” stories. Success will come to those willing to be patient and put in the work that it takes.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” Calvin Coolidge