7 Ways that Keep My Personal Training Clients Motivated
After nearly 20 years of personal training, I can confidently say that there isn’t a standard method of motivation that works for everyone. To make life more challenging, all motivation tools are only effective for 3-6 weeks, even if the strategy flawlessly aligns with the person’s drive, wants, needs, schedule, and personal/professional demands (many factors to consider…always).
So, how can YOU motivate yourself and maintain motivation and sanity while trying to achieve your neverending list of goals? First, understand yourself. Are you the ambitious, self-driven person who is self-employed or self-directed at home or in the office? You’re always focused on something but haven’t realized why another important goal is a priority. You don’t always need someone to tell you to show up; you need her or him to tell you how to do it efficiently and effectively.
Or are you more effective and efficient under the direction of someone else? You’d instead focus on what you need to do and allow other people to take on the burden of the big picture (no problem with specializing, though). While doing something effectively and efficiently is essential, you need a leader to keep your sights on the target.
Either way, both personalities must add value to a goal to justify its course. Do you genuinely value the goal? Why do you want to achieve this goal? Is it your choice to pursue this goal? Do you believe in this goal?
They must also recognize the potential obstacles: The perceived demands, actual personal and professional demands, lack of education or guidance, etc.
Your personality and the potential obstacles will steer whatever approach you integrate into life. Keep them in mind while you choose a strategy from the list below:
TIPS FROM MY PERSONAL TRAINING CLIENTS
CREATE A FITNESS CALENDAR: JK keeps a calendar of the current month on her fridge. If she exercises, she describes the activity on that day. If JK can’t work out, she draws a big X in the box instead. Seeing multiple Xs within a given period is motivation to start moving again!
SET RULES: CK sets two hardline rules to keep herself from overworking. No matter the professional demand, she never touches work-related projects on Saturdays and cuts out all electronic work-related activities in the evening. As a self-employed producer, CK could work around the clock. These rules help her maintain sanity while allowing ample time for creative thought and other personal focuses.
ALIGN YOUR BEHAVIORS WITH YOUR IDEAL SELF: MJ routinely checks with himself to see if his current habits align with his ideal self. He may ask himself: Does this activity help me achieve my goals? Am I on the correct path to my goals? Are my habits conflicting with who I am or my most important goals? What new goals must I create to achieve or maintain my ideal self again?
CARRY A BOOK: Always carry an actual book that either is part of research for a current project, is part of research for a future project, has nothing to do with anything, is just for fun, and allows the mind to make new connections. Look at a book instead of looking at your phone while waiting in line or being bored while your date is in the bathroom. Even better, my client’s favorite comic writer, Keiron Gillen, recommends always reading three books that fall into these categories simultaneously. Most important! Tablets do not count. These must be actual paper books--your mind doesn't think in the same ways connected to the internet, and you will also be tempted to look at social media.
MAINTAIN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS: “Preventative measures are effective. By staying in touch and being involved with family (throughout the country even) and friends, I keep a balanced life and outlook where it becomes more difficult for any one thing that comes up to cloud my perspective on what is truly important. As such, any one thing, which may want to steal time and energy from other goals unnecessarily, becomes much harder to affect me.” - RA.
TIPS FROM A PERSONAL TRAINER
CREATE A ROUTINE: Simplify to pursue. Eliminate your decision fatigue by creating a consistent routine on how you wake, how you eat, how you work, and how you prepare for bed. It will free up crucial mental energy to focus on your new goal.
PLASTER UNCONSCIOUS CUES: I always plaster post-it notes with my goals on a wall I see every day…like the inside of my closet (we don’t need the world to see my goals!). Every time I grab my clothes, I consciously and unconsciously see them, and the more I see them, the more likely I will live consciously and unconsciously in line with these goals. I’ve also posted a picture of a critical written goal on the wallpaper of my phone to remind myself of it every time I open it. Although I won’t consciously take the time to read it every time, my mind will undoubtedly recognize it as a reminder.
Photo Credit:
Forbes.com–Will writing down your goals be enough to achieve them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!
EPISODE #10 - EAT FOR LIFE, WEIGHT LOSS, AND AN OPTIMAL IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH BEST SELLING AUTHOR DR. FUHRMAN
On “The Elements of Being” podcast, Michael dissects and explores the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, you learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve incredible feats, goals, and milestones…and a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior. In this episode, Michael interviews Dr. Joel Fuhrman, an internationally recognized nutrition and natural healing expert and author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including his most recent book, Eat for Life. His other bestsellers include Eat to Live and The End of Dieting (which I give to all my clients).
Read more and listen here…..You can also listen to all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castbox, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast platform!
