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Here’s the secret cure for stress: do something nice for someone else. You’ll feel better right away. If you don’t, double the dose. Coaching is one of the ways I “give.” I’m a very active coach, and after two clients or classes, I’m spent. Yes, I charge for my time (and you do, too) but consider what we’re giving people: The only time they’ll hear “You are doing a great job!” all day. The only measurable accomplishment they’ll probably make all week. The only genuine greeting (“It’s great to see you!”) they’ll get from most people. The only “fast hour” of all 24. The only screen-free conversation they’ll have before bedtime. Hugs, PRs, and all that stuff. Joy. After almost 20 years as a coach, I’ve learned the best way to deal with stress is to just. go. coach. Stressed about a nasty email? Go coach. Worried about the rent? Go coach. Tired? Achy? Sad about the weather? Go coach. The secret to life is to make other people happy. You’re doing that. Go coach.
Consistency > everything else. How do you measure the “intangibles” in your coaches? You make them tangible. In the RampUp course, we teach how to break down the “Coaching Role” into an objective, observable and repeatable process. Below, you’ll find a sample evaluation sheet you can use or adjust as you see fit. Evaluate staff every three months on predetermined dates. Coaching Evaluation Form
Corporate marketing is one of 10-12 strategies we teach mentoring clients. Every month, 3-5 corporations should be approached on the basis of creating a healthier, more vibrant staff. We do NOT use corporate discounts. We HELP corporations get what THEY want. Corporate marketing is covered in both “Two-Brain Business 2.0” and “Help First.” SampleCorporateIntroLetter SampleCorporateIntroLetter
At Catalyst, we break our Kids’ groups into three levels of age/proficiency: Junior Varsity Varsity Varsity Sport. Groups are defined by age, but kids can “Test Up” from one group to another. “Varsity Sport” is for teens who want to train for sport, but ALSO includes elements of leadership, like public speaking and tutoring. These kids frequently get jobs in our gym (desk staff on weekends, or peer tutors, or respite workers for the Ignite Program.) Click here to download the Varsity Journal: VARSITY LOGBOOK
There are no “wrong” answers anymore. In business, there are few absolutes. While fixed systems and black/white advice can help new gym owners get some traction, NO system is ever permanent. Trial and error is a bad entrepreneurial strategy. Test and measure is a good entrepreneurial strategy. What’s the difference? Math. The keys to trying new things–workouts, supplements, or business ideas–are these: Try only ONE thing at a time; Measure the difference before/after. For example, if one of your athletes starts taking a protein supplement, a creatine supplement and a fish oil supplement on the same day, and then reports “feeling better” a month later, which supplement caused the improvement? It’s impossible to tell. Did your Facebook ad trigger those ten calls this month, or did your clients have more conversations about you with their coworkers? Are your coaches lazy about their appearance, or are they just unaware of your dress code? Ask. Then tell. Measure the difference. Many gym owners who try the Gym Checkup struggle to find the metrics they’re asked to provide. They can’t figure out their ARM; they don’t know their net profit. And that lack of knowledge is fine (it’s an answer unto itself. When they realize they don’t know these elementary metrics, they can click a link to “phone a friend”–me–and get help.) I started testing the Bright Spots retention strategy in 2005. I don’t “think” it works; I know it works because my year-over-year retention was 86% in 2015. What will bring it back to my PR of 93%? I’m testing various strategies. I’m not guessing, not wishing, not pining for the “good old days.” Luckily, my gym is very successful; I don’t need more clients or more money. So I can use my gyms as a lab for ideas, then take the best ones and share them with my “First 40.” They’re tweaked, then tested again and again until they’re accepted as broadly …
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