If you have had some frustrating days that have turned into frustrating weeks that have created a less-than-memorable experience this season, I’ve been there.
If you’re sort of OVER this whole gym owner thing, I’ve been there.
If you’re burned out and not really interested in another pep talk, I’ve been there.
In fact, it’s safe to say if you’ve been in this business for a few years, you’ve been there.
If you’re thinking about what your future holds, I’m here to tell you that it won’t be like this forever…if you’re willing to change that is. There are probably parts of you that need to change. There are definitely parts of your business that will need to change.
If you’re not willing to change and grow as a person, it’s probably better that you throw in the towel now. But heads up – if that’s the case, you’re going to find WAY more aspects of life difficult than just gym ownership. You’ll find it hard to work for someone else. You’ll find it hard to parent. You’ll find it hard to have friendships in your 30s and 40s.
Life is all about changes happening and people adapting. Those changes have made me a MUCH better person over the years. They didn’t come easy, and they didn’t always come because I wanted them to. Sometimes change is the result of our attempts to survive and thrive.
If you’re someone who isn’t a fan of change, just know – it’s the only way to grow. You’ll have to start doing things differently than you have in the past. Things that were good a few years ago won’t be good enough anymore. You’re never going to get rid of the problems in your gym.
One of our gym owners in the Academy is from the U.K. They were closed or on a major restriction for a long time. They adapted more times than I can probably count. But now their programs have exploded. They have more athletes than they’ve ever had before. You know what she said to me a few weeks ago?
“We still have problems. They didn’t go away. They’re just different problems now.”
She’s not trying to figure out how to keep her doors open. She’s trying to figure out how to hire and train a great staff quickly. She’s not focused on surviving the months she’s in the red, she’s focused on what the best options are with the newfound profits. She’s still making decisions, and she still has problems. They’re just different ones.
In the words of the late Notorious B.I.G., “Mo money, Mo problems”.
Don’t get going when the going gets tough. Get tougher.
