The Word,"Can't" And The FASTEST Path To Success!!

Today, we're going to focus one of the most detrimental words for fitness business owners, and how overcoming it can lead to your biggest successes in business and in your personal life.

When I was a new graduate of chiropractic college, there were several, and I mean several aspects of running a practice and business that I truly had no idea about. Actually, one of the reasons why the first few years in practice were so frustrating, was because I spent so much time and money in becoming a doctor, but I had NO EXPERIENCE in running a business.

I remember the first year in practice, constantly feeling as if I learned nothing the last 4 years of graduate school. And as a learned more about running a business, I quickly realized that it had so much more to it than just being able to fix some one's spine. There were several aspects to running a practice, and many areas of which I was severely weak at. And it took me a few years before I really worked hard at addressing those areas where I was weak in. But as I spent time and energy on improving those weak areas' such as reading books on marketing and management, listening to CD's, and going to seminars on marketing and promoting my business; I began to improve each one of those areas in business that I was extremely weak in.

And that led me to realize that, in business, as an owner and entrepreneur, we can never tell ourselves, "I Can't Improve That", or "I Can't Do That". You really must erase that word from your vocabulary.

And here's an example:

When I speak with fitness business owners on staying in close contact with their client base, THE First thing I tell them to do is:

MAIL A NEWSLETTER, Mail a WELCOME LETTER, MAIL A BIRTHDAY CARD, MAIL THANK YOU CARDS for referrals, and keep sending your clients something in the mail each month.

This creates client loyalty, and keeps them feeling that they are on your mind and in your thoughts, which is how most customers want to feel.

But, I hear this constantly from new members and consulting clients," But, I CAN'T AFFORD TO MAIL TO THEM!" With all the marketing information that your clients are bombarded with every day, you can't afford not to stay in constant contact with them.

I also hear this a lot too,"I can't afford to get a business coach!" I love hearing this one, because it's the surest way to guarantee yourself failure in any business. 90% of all businesses that open, close after the first year, and this has been proven to me, over and over. The number of businesses that have come and gone in my office complex since I have opened is laughable. I'm completely astonished by the number of people who open businesses and have NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING, and not only that, they NEVER attempt to learn the RIGHT WAY TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS.

Not having a business coach or mentor, is the surest way to make yourself feel like your on a deserted island, surrounded by sharks and left with nothing more than a coconut tree and no knife.
The reality is that WE ALL HAVE ACCESS to coaches and mentors in any profession and business. And in every business, no matter what category you choose, businesses run relatively the same. They are build on customer service, sales, marketing and promoting. That's it. But if you don't have the skills in each and every one of these categories, or even worse, NOT VIEW what you do as a business, it's going to be a very tough road for you.
So, anyone saying, "I can' afford it" to the tools, support, and direction that you need to achieve success in the fitness business, needs to look in the mirror, be honest with themselves and say, "I CHOOSE not to afford it!"

Until next time,

Dr. James Roman
Your personal trainer marketing coach