This site is the website of motivational speaker Craig Harper. A constantly updated, one-stop information, inspiration, education and motivation station. Unlike many similar sites, it is a totally free resource for anyone who is serious about moving from mediocre to amazing in any area of their personal or professional life. With hundreds of articles covering a wide range of subject matter, great interviews with cool people and inspirational video posts, there's more than enough brain-food to keep you busy for hours. Okay, days!! Enjoy.
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Fattitude
- Craig Harper
While many books focus on food,
Craig teaches that creating life-long change is more about the
dieter, than the actual diet. This book is perfect for people who have a
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DVD
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ability to be able to get in shape for events (weddings, parties, reunions
and birthdays), if only we'd get in shape for life.
Craig Harper is Australia's leading
motivational speaker
and educator (according to Google Australia). He is a highly
sought-after corporate coach and is considered to be
a leader and pioneer in the areas of personal and
professional development.
Working with hundreds of
teams, companies and a wide variety of organisations
on numerous continents over the last twenty years
has given Craig a unique insight into, and
understanding of, human performance and all its
variables. Craig has an ability to educate, inspire,
challenge and make people laugh all at the same
time!
So today is Sunday January 31st 2006; the day before we all change our lives forever.
Apparently.
We've told ourselves tomorrow is the day. The new us. Leaner, lighter, happier, more relaxed, wealthier, more balanced.... different. Better. Between Christmas and New Year we ate our own body-weight in food because... that's what we do and anyway..."We're starting tomorrow!"
So it's all okay.
I can justify and rationalise whatever I want; shut up Harper.
My body, my life. Anyway, I deserved it.
We overeat, we drink too much and we stumble towards the end of the Year, safe in the knowledge that January 1 is coming... and it will all be different.
Somehow.
Sure we've made and broken resolutions and promises before.... but this year it's gonna be different.
Lesson 1:If nothing changes, nothing changes. If you want next year to be the best year of your life, then you need to establish why and how it will be different this time. Keeping in mind that a good or a bad year is not about situations, circumstances, events or other people; it's about you.
Your choices. Your attitude. Your ability to deal with discomfort. Your ability to create new standards and 'rules'. Your ability to persevere when previously you've thrown in the towel. Your ability to keep doing, even when the doing ain't fun or cool or sexy (consistency).
So tomorrow we start losing weight. Getting fit. Giving up the smokes. Cutting back on the alcohol. Swearing less. Fixing relationships. Changing bad habits.
Yep, tomorrow's the day.
So glad it's not today; not emotionally prepared today.
Just heard an interesting stat on the news: this New Year four million Australians will go on a diet. That's about twenty percent of our population.
If we use the same maths on the United States, we end up with sixty million dieters.
Jenny Craig must be rubbing her hands together.
Lesson 2: The truth is, for most people, the only change that January 1 brings is a short term change in behaviour (usually less than a fortnight, often less than a week).
For Personal Development types like me, January 1 is the most interesting day of the year. It's the one universal day where everyone talks about goals, dreams, plans and hopes; in short we all talk about creating a better life (however that is represented for us).
We talk about it, we dream about it. But often we don't (really) plan for it, sweat for it, sacrifice for it, work for it, get uncomfortable for it. We just kind of 'hope' it will happen. Hopefully success will fall on us from a great height.
We don't create it. We don't persevere. We don't finish what we start.
In my job I have watched (literally) thousands of talented, intelligent and capable people spend years going around in circles. Years being frustrated. Years under-achieving. Years making Excuses and years waiting for the right time. Years making and breaking promises and resolutions.
Our biggest challenge in the pursuit of forever change, is not our ability (or lack of it), not opportunities, luck, potential, skills, education (or lack of it) and not our age or gender; it is our ability to consistently do the things we need to do to create our desired results, irrespective of how we're feeling, day in and day out.
Lesson 3: Motivation is temporary. For most people, motivation is a feeling; an emotional state. "I feel motivated because I just saw this amazing film clip....". If we only do when we feel motivated, we'll never create real (forever) change... because nobody is motivated 24/7.
Success is always less about motivation and more about some very un-sexy things like planning, self-control, discipline, organisation, time-management, decision making and mental toughness. Not sexy, not glamorous, but effective.
I can tell you want you want to hear, or I can tell you the truth.
Lesson 4. We don't need another resolution, we need a revolution. A revolution in the way we do things. A revolution in the way we approach the next year. A revolution in our head.
I hate the whole concept of January 1 being the day for a new start.
If only we all understood that every day is the day.
Being an international class-room with an Australian bloke (definition to follow) up the front, I get regular emails from some of my international (mainly American) visitors wondering what the heck I'm talking about when I use certain terms and words.
While most Australians are reasonably familiar with American culture and language, having grown up watching American sit-coms, going to American movies and listening to American music... it appears that the majority of Americans (and Canadians) know very little about the Aussie culture, language or sense of humour.
So in an attempt to bridge the conversational gap, I have decided to publish edition one of Craig's guide to the Aussie language. I don't want to overload you in your first lesson so I'll be gentle, patient and brief. If you ever want to integrate seamlessly into the Australian culture, you'll need to master at least some of the following words:
Arvo - afternoon (let's meet this arvo at your house) Barbie - barbecue Bingle - motor vehicle accident (I had a bingle on the way to work) Bloke - man, guy Bloody - very (it is bloody hot today) Blowie - blow fly Bludger - lazy person (that bloke standing near the barbie is a bludger) Blue - fight (verbal or fist) Boofhead - likeable idiot (give me a hug ya big boofhead) Bushie - someone who lives in the Bush Coldie - a beer (I feel like a coldie) Chook - a chicken (I'm having a coldie and some chook for dinner) Daks - trousers (I spilled half of my coldie on my daks) Dinky-di - the real thing, genuine (he's a dinky-di bloke) Fair dinkum - true, genuine (Is that fair dinkum?) Footy - Australian Rules Football Franger - condom G'Day - hello; the great Australian greeting (G'day mate) Garbo - municipal garbage collector Greenie - environmentalist Grouse - fantastic, great, very good (we had a grouse time at the party) Hooroo - goodbye Mate - buddy, friend (he's my best mate) Pash - kiss ( I pashed a girl at the party) Rack off - go away (rack off ya boofhead) Ripper - fantastic, great (what a ripper game) Shag - have sex Sheila - a woman Sickie - a day off work for a feigned sickness (the bludger took a sickie) Snag - a sausage Togs - swim suit Thongs - called flip flops in the U.S. Tucker - food (this snag is grouse tucker) Yakka - work (this shovelling is hard yakka) Yobbo : an uncouth person (who let that yobbo in here?)
Okay, so that's a very brief snapshot of a few Australian words. Now, see if you can construct some meaningful sentences and integrate some words into your daily conversations (without offending anyone).
The next thing we need to discuss is the Australian propensity to destroy surnames and allocate nicknames. In my country, if someone shortens, lengthens, or in any way, changes your name, they like you.
Most blokes address their mates using a modified version of their surname, so:
Craig Harper becomes Harps Tony Brown becomes Browny Pete McDonald becomes Macca Jeff Thompson becomes Thommo John Davis becomes Davo Scott Green becomes Greeny
... and so on.
See how many surnames you can modify (destroy in the name of love) today.
Most Aussies are pretty laid-back, informal cats and if we can abbreviate, enhance or simplify a word or term, we're up for it.
So now if I gradually start to weave some Australian into my blog you may have some clue as to what I'm talking about... Or not.
I just watched a short video of a world-renowned personal development guru sharing his thoughts and ideas on success and what we need to do to become successful. And while he didn't define success (specifically), he did infer that it is essentially about bank balances, property portfolios, cars, lifestyles and big houses; the accumulation of wealth. Because that's all he spoke about; how poor he once was and how rich he now is. And how, when I buy his books and DVD's, and subscribe to his on-line newsletter I can learn from him, be like him and become part of his success family.
Give me a bucket. I'd rather hit myself on the head with a bat.
Apparently success is about accumulating things which have significant financial value. And when we've accumulated a lot, we should do our best to accumulate more, because then we will be more successful. And if we have the most stuff amongst our friends and colleagues, then we are the most successful.
Sad that people still teach this in 2007 (close enough). Sadder that people still buy into it.
If you are passionate about self-improvement and personal growth I hope I haven't already offended you, but I am tired of this self-centred, instant gratification school of thought which teaches that success is all about what we can get. And quickly.
Don't get me wrong, I am not some goody-two-shoes (what on earth does that mean?) who is opposed to being commercially and financially successful, in fact as a business owner, it's one of my goals. I respect people who have achieved in business and in their career but I don't confuse assets with success.
They are, in my opinion, (usually) independent of each other.
What I am opposed to, is the notion that overall success should be measured in dollars. And while some of the gurus wouldn't overtly say as much.... listen to them, read their stuff; it's what they're all about.
Well, what if success isn't about accumulating but rather, giving away? And what if, in the giving, we become rich beyond belief? I know that for many of you this won't be a foreign concept but in the big wide world of 'success coaching' concepts like selflessness, generosity, emotional and spiritual wealth don't get much of a run. It's all about looking after number one. Win at all costs. Go hard or go home.
Winston Churchill said: We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Many people teach that success is different things for different people.
When I quiz a group of people at a conference and say "who wants to be successful", every hand goes up in a second. When I then say, "you've got two minutes; write down what success is for you", most of them will sit there for the two minutes.... and write nothing or very little.
I believe that defining success is easy and that it is actually the same for everyone.
What does everyone really want?
Happiness.
See, ain't that complex is it?
Happiness = Success.
We might label it different things (peace, contentment, fulfillment, joy, fun) but we're all really talking about the same thing.
We're talking about an internal state... not an external thing.
Why then, are we so externally focused?
I believe that, on some level, we all know that it's not about financial wealth but somehow, somewhere, we bought into the lie.
You know you're truly happy when you don't really wantanything else.
The tricky bit is finding out what truly makes you happy. Not what the gurus, book or DVD's tell you will make you happy... but what your heart (not your head) tells you.
Here's a hint; it probably won't be money or stuff.
A story to finish.
A few years ago I went to Vanuatu for a friend's wedding.
There was a group of about twenty five of us and we all stayed on a remote, tiny island which had no electricity and a population of a few thousand. We stayed in the only 'resort' on the island; one-star beach huts, complete with generators, communal showers, palm trees, the most beautiful beaches on earth and a bunch of creepy-crawly things.
In my seven-day stay on the island I connected with some of the most beautiful, happy, well-adjusted, inspiring people I have ever met; anywhere in the world.
These unsophisticated, uneducated people taught me much more than I could ever teach them. Sometimes when I was around them I felt stupid. ... but mostly I felt privileged. I felt as though I had made my life something much more difficult and complex than it needed to be. These people who earned ten dollars (Australian) per week ($7.50 US), had never even heard of the term 'Personal Development', didn't know what a psychologist was and played soccer for hours on the beach with a ball made from leaves, never stopped laughing, smiling or having fun.
Every day, all day, they were happy. I befriended one of the workers at the resort. He was twenty four, had never seen television, never heard of Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, the Pope or Madonna....never been off his tiny island, never seen a bitumen road... his favourite foods were chicken, fish and ... wild dog. One day we went for a walk because he wanted to show me where his parent's house was. As we walked there he held my hand.
I didn't know that (in their culture) when someone is your friend and you are walking together ...holding hands is normal.
You can imagine how comfortable Mr Personal Development, well adjusted, alpha-male warrior was, walking hand in hand with another man on a tropical island.
Let's just say that one of us had significant issues and it wasn't my new buddy.
So over the course of one of the best weeks of my life, my new buddy (the hand-holding guy with no money, no assets, no stocks, no car, no ego and no five-year plan) taught me all about success; not by what he said but by how he lived his life.
The irony is that, by our society's standards, he has nothing; he is poor. The truth is, he is successful and wealthy beyond measure.
When I left the island he hugged me, told me I was his new white brother and cried. I cried too.
P.S. My friend's name is Mackenzie.... and yes I've seen him since.
Earlier this year one of our favourite celebrities, Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin met an untimely and tragic death. There was widespread mourning and I, like many, was surprised and saddened. I loved him; thought he was an inspiration and a great role model. I spoke to people who were absolutely shattered by the passing of the 'wildlife warrior'. People who had never met the man were crying and his death dominated the news in Australia for weeks. We were a nation in shock; one of our favourite sons had 'died before his time'. It wasn't fair.
In the same week I read the following:
"According to UNICEF, over 30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death."
Isn't it pathetic that we live in a world which seems to value some lives more because they are prettier, funnier, wealthier, more talented, more influential or more visible. One of our favourite celebrities die, and we fall apart. 30,000 kids die daily and we change the channel because 'those' ads make us uncomfortable. Especially those kids with flies on their face. Tasteless. We don't need to see that.
30,000 kids die and we don't bat an eyelid because we don't know them. They're statistics. They're meaningless numbers in a foreign land. It's not real to us. Imagine if those little black faces were white. I wonder if we'd be more concerned?
Don't misinterpret what I'm saying; I'm not suggesting that the Croc Hunter's death was anything other than tragic...it was.
But what I am saying is that all lives are sacred, and of equal value; no matter who they are, the colour of their skin, or their country of origin.
The three year-old who quietly dies from starvation today in the Sudan (and he will) is just as important as the millionaire, celebrity who kills him or herself with drugs.... or the high-profile philanthropist who gave away millions and died of old age.
In fact, to me, the three year-old is more tragic and significant because he never even had a chance. He couldn't waste his life like so many of us do... because he never had a life to waste.
I often talk about the quality of our life being dependant on the decisions we do and don't make. Well, I've been negligent because I haven't really discussed the fact that so many people (millions) have their destiny decided for them because of the situation they are born into.
For some people, decisions don't really come into it.
About four billion people (over half of the world's population) live on less than $2 per day. That's not you or me.
We're blessed. Let's act like it. Let's complain less and appreciate more.
Let's value all lives. Even the one's we can't see. In the time it took me to write this post, over one thousand children have died as a result of their living conditions.
Imagine if everyone who could do something (anything), did it.
'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing'. Philosopher, Edmund Burke
Tis the season to be jolly.... but someone forgot to tell the idiot that I watched abuse a lady and her two kids for not walking fast enough on a pedestrian crossing today...
The kids were about two and four, and mum was laden with shopping.
Poor guy; having to wait an extra two seconds while the selfish, thoughtless woman ambled across the street, rug-rats in tow.
Ho, ho, ho.
If I wasn't so balanced and sensible, I would have punched him in the head.
Damn all those personal development books and workshops. I was so much more fun when I was irresponsible and preoccupied with my biceps.
Gotta grow up some time, I guess.
So it's December 24, and to me, it feels like everyone is staggering towards Christmas like exhausted runners on the home straight of their first marathon. Sometimes I think we talk ourselves into exhaustion; it's like we mentally and emotionally switch off and collectively hit the wall somewhere around mid December. We finish the year on auto pilot, fall over the finish line and then stuff ourselves with turkey. It's a great spectacle.
Christmas is an interesting time for us students of human nature. I dig it.
People get a little freaky. Emotions go crazy. Some get philosophical and deep. Some get sad or angry. Or both. Some come to amazing realisations. And make resolutions which are rarely followed through on. Some create long to-do lists. And then lose them. Some eat until they are sick. And some drink their own body-weight in beer. Or both.
And they say animals are dumb. We humans are the smartest... and the dumbest species.
I don't know if it's just my personal experience, but people seem to be getting grumpier, ruder, and more impatient. Christmas cheer has made way for Christmas sneer, and the fat bloke in the red suit doesn't seem to represent what he once did.
For me Christmas is a time to kick back, reflect, assess the year that was, be thankful for what I have, hang out with friends and laugh.
And eat baked cheesecake.
What about you? Why will next year be better, different, more fulfilling and rewarding? It's good to set goals and to plan. It's better to follow through. It's good to identify what needs to change. It's better to change it. It's good to live, laugh, learn and love... and give the anti-social behaviour a miss.
At the end of every year we talk about how next year will be different, amazing, incredible. Imagine if this year, we all actually did it rather than just talked about it.
I know that about fifty percent of the visitors to my site are from outside of Australia (I am in Melbourne) so I am interested to hear from my international readers (and you Aussies, of course) about the Christmas Grumpiness Syndrome. Let me know your thoughts and where you are from... is it just an Australian thing... or is it global?
Recently I agreed to spend some time with five people who had won a competition on a Melbourne radio station (FOX FM). They each won some great exercise equipment and were all in need of some direction, education and motivation. So far I've met with three of the five winners and it's been a fun experience. Each of them need to lose somewhere in the vicinity of 40 - 50 kilos (88 - 110 pounds) and they are all excited about the journey. I introduced one of the winners to a girl who's been training at my centre for the last eight months and has lost 55 kilos (121 pounds). All of a sudden this girl (one of the five) who was full of self-doubt, believed that she could do it because she met someone who was bigger than her and had lost the weight.
She went from doubt, to certainty, in five minutes. That's what I call a change in perspective; a paradigm shift.
Creating forever change is so much about our head.
So this week I got a great email from Kylie, one of the FOX FM winners.
Hi Craig,
it's Kylie from Pakenham (I hope you still remember me). I just want to let you know how much your words really sunk in when I met you on Saturday; how we choose to be fat. I look at food differently now most of the time and I ask myself whether I need it. Most of the times I don't. I am trying really hard to wait for those hunger signals too. I am drinking heaps of water. I am up to six minutes on the cross trainer and improving each day. What really touched my heart was when we met on Saturday was the hug that you gave me at the end of our meeting. I don't get hugs, maybe being the fat person and all that, but it was so nice to receive one from you. So yes, you are my hero and I am so grateful to have met you. I would love to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a safe New Year and I look forward to seeing you in January. Thank you once again for giving me your time.
kind regards,
Kylie Barnes.
Thankyou to Kylie for letting me print her letter.
Reading the letter and spending a little time with Kylie, a few things stood out to me.
1. It's so easy to encourage people and we should all do it more.
2. Everyone loves someone to take a genuine interest in them.
3. Sometimes a little kindness (a hug perhaps) can take ten seconds and make a huge impact.
4. When people are ready to change they will... and not before.
5. It's so exciting and rewarding to help those people who are genuinely ready.
6. I have the best job in the world.
7. I'm certainly no hero, but you are Kylie for being so honest, so humble and for choosing to live your best life in your best body.
Kylie, I think you're fantastic and I look forward to watching you transform (inside and out) over the coming months..... GO YOU!
Put up your hand if you think that we're all one-dimensional (i.e. physical) beings.
Just as I thought; no-one.
Now, put up your hand if you think we're amazing, complex, multi-dimensional, physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual beings.
Knew it; a whole bunch of you. Except you up the back who's too important to put your hand up for anything.
It's okay, the rest of us love you anyway. Here, have a cyber-hug... O
Sorry, I digress. As usual.
So it's with some trepidation that I head down the path of exploring the concept of multi-dimensional health; complete health. The slightly dysfunctional, insecure, would-be Alpha Male Warrior, only child is going to explore health beyond the world of biceps and body-fat percentages.
GiddyupCraigo. You can do it.
Years of working with some amazing, lean, fit, strong, attractive bodies has taught me that sometimes, a person's overall health has very little to do with their body.
Mostly, the outside ain't a great indicator of what's happening on the inside.
Medical science tells us that if someone has low blood pressure, low cholesterol, low(ish) body-fat, low(ish) resting heart rate, pretty good cardio-vascular fitness and no evidence of 'disease', then they're healthy. Very healthy, even.
But are they?
Does our broadly-accepted criteria for evaluating health really provide us with an accurate overall representation of an individual's health, given that we're not just a bunch of ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, nerves, organs and muscles?
If most of us believe / accept that we are infinitely more than a body(a body is not who we are; it's just where we live) then why is our health invariably evaluated by some guy in a white coat poking and prodding our physical body.
It's my belief that the common perception of health is a very limited, ignorant, one-dimensional and misleading perspective. In fact, I believe that many people who would typically be regarded as healthy (from a clinical perspective) are, ironically, quite often, the opposite.
Before we go on, I would like to ask you two questions:
1) Do you believe that you are a physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual being?
2) Do you consciously, regularly and consistently work at developing, maintaining or improving your physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual health?
If you answered yes to question one, and no to question two, this article might be timely for you. You decide.
I want to profile four people who I've met, or worked with, over the last few years. I'm not using their real names for obvious reasons.
SAM - is a high(ish) profile Preacher. When it comes to the 'God stuff', he has it all together. He can quote scripture at will, preach up a storm, move people to tears and action with his amazing insight and communication skills and he genuinely has a gift for helping people. He's compassionate, caring, loving, humble and..... fat as a house. He weighs somewhere in the vicinity of 150kgs (330lbs) and eats everything that isn't nailed down.
Health Report: Spiritually healthy; Physically outa-control!
ASHLEY - is a fitness freak. Trains every day. Resting heart rate of 34 (freaky). Five percent body-fat, muscles on his eyelids, veins like garden hoses (apparently desirable), runs, swims, lifts, eats organic everything and.... is allergic to hugging, doesn't tell his kids he loves them, can't communicate with his wife and avoids any discussion with anyone (including me) about anything deeper than the weather or the football scores.
Health Report: Physically healthy; Emotionally on life-support.
KYLIE - intelligent, professional career girl. Physically fit, deep thinker, always about to do something big but never does. Gets very spiritual (for about a day) when she's scared (someone's sick, she has to get on a plane, or she thinks the world is coming to an end). Acknowledges she has certain beliefs but never has the time or energy to work on the 'spiritual' Kylie.
Health Report: Generally healthy, Spiritually bankrupt.
CLAIRE - ironically a psychologist, with a propensity to lie, exaggerate, manipulate, intimidate and argue. Academically brilliant but dishonest, delusional and controlling.
Health report: Physically healthy, Psychologically unwell.
In my opinion all four people are unhealthy, even though 'science' would tell us that Sam is the only concern.
When we begin to open our eyes, our mind and our heart to a new way of thinking, feeling and being, we can explore health from a different perspective and start to understand why so many people are unhappy, unfulfilled, frustrated, sad, angry and confused. It ain't about their blood pressure, it's about their low self-esteem. It ain't about their relationship with God, it's about their un-controlled eating and delusional behaviour.
For years I have watched people try and fix emotional, psychological and spiritual problems with physical solutions; if only I lose weight, life will be great and my marriage will be saved. If only I look like that... he / she will love me. If only I punish myself a bit more, God will forgive me.
Doesn't work like that.
We need to consciously, regularly and consistently work at developing, maintaining or improving our physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual health.
So, you multi-dimensional, amazing creature, don't say you want complete health unless you're going to do something about it.
Go for a jog. Forgive someone who doesn't 'deserve' it. Talk to people, not at them. Listen, consider, empathise. Stop lying to yourself. Apologise for that thing you did. Do something different. Love when it's uncomfortable. Forgive someone else. Say a prayer. Stop hurrying; be still for a moment. Create some new standards for yourself. Let yourself cry. Acknowledge your fears. Listen to that still small voice. Stop being tough. Write down your values. Live a life which is consistent with those values. Be vulnerable. Laugh. Work on the inside stuff.
Okay, so I'm a little concerned for some of the teenagers and young adults I meet in the course of my work who seemingly have everything handed to them on a platter. It's not all the things which are done for, or given to, them that concerns me; it's the life skills, the people skills, the relationship skills, the coping skills and the practical skills they're not developing, which worries me.
Kids who have never made a bed. Kids who have never been disciplined. Kids who have never had to work for anything. Kids who don't understand the meaning of no. Kids who don't 'get' that the majority of the world lives somewhere close to the poverty line. Kids who don't really have any perspective of a world beyond their front door. Kids who have never had any consequences for their bad behaviour because mum and dad have always bailed them out.
Over the last few years I have been involved with an increasing number of interfering, meddling, over-protective, paranoid (yes, well-intending and loving) parents who have successfully produced kids with virtually no skills for life in the real world; not the synthetic, manufactured version of the world they were raised in; but the dirty, lumpy, bumpy, unfair, unpredictable world that most of us inhabit.
They love their kids and want the best for them but sometimes it's more loving to let a child fall over, get a little grubby, dust herself off, get up and keep going, than it is to race her off to the doctor every time she gets a scratch on her knee.
Sometimes in an effort to 'protect' our children we actually make them more vulnerable. In an attempt to keep them safe we unintentionally put them in harms way because we raise them in an environment which doesn't allow them to adapt, learn, cope, fail ... and occasionally fall over and feel some pain.
We're all familiar with the old Chinese Proverb:
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
This lesson has a multitude of applications and implications, with the obvious message being that when we teach someone something of value, and help them develop practical skills, we help them survive and thrive in the world.
We may avoid the quick fix, but we help them in the long-term. A little short-term pain for some long-term gain. We let them grow and learn by doing rather than having it done for them. We open them up to a world of new possibilities. We help them become adaptable, resourceful and independent.
We can teach them about the real world:
The one where there are consequences for bad behaviour. The one where mum and dad don't 'fix' everything when Junior stuffs up. The one where kids learn invaluable, and often painful life-lessons, every day. The one where kids develop values, standards and perspective because they actually have to work for things.
So let's explore the concept of tough love.
What is loving? Is it: a) bailing the kid out of trouble every time, or is it b) making the kid deal with the consequences of her actions?
Is it: a) handing him a new car for his birthday, or is it b) teaching him how to work, save money and buy his own car?
Is it: a) rewarding her with gifts and prizes for doing 'normal' things (passing an exam) or b) giving her a hug and telling her you're proud?
Is it: a) buying him the best cubby-house or b) building a cubby-house with him?
Is it: a) getting her the best lawyer money can buy or b) letting her lose her license for speeding?
Look out; I'm in one of those moods. If you're feeling precious or a bit fragile, you may want to read this later.
Or never.
I have a friend (surprising, I know). To call her a bit of a procrastinator would be like calling Tiger Woods a bit of a golfer. In the world of procrastinators, she is a pioneer, an innovator. She's the benchmark.
She has a PhD in time-wasting.
Just when you thought there could be no more reasons for not doing something, no more excuses.... she pulls out a gem; every time. Slam Dunk. Didn't see that coming.
And she does it with such conviction. She talks herself into it. Logic and reality don't even come into it.
I know what you're thinking; we create our own reality. But sometimes we create a reality which destines us to being emotionally, socially and psychologically paralysed... forever. Living the life we don't want, but too fearful, too lazy or too indifferent to do anything about it.
I think deep down she knows she's full of crap, but at the same time she knows she can't admit it because then she would have to do something.
How many million reasons can one person give for putting off making decisions, and dealing with issues which should have been addressed forever ago?
Apparently, squillions.
I have crowned her the 2006 International Queen of Procrastination.
The judging criteria revolves around an individuals ability to fluff, waste time, make excuses, avoid issues, go around in circles, rationalise, justify and ignore logic, while simultaneously having an amazing ability to identify all the things which need to change in their own life.... just not right now.
But soon.
Aah, the mystical, mysterious... soon.
No matter how big the issue or situation, whenever I chat with her (we recently had chat number 14,728), it's never the right time.
It ain't about timing. Or resources. Or practical issues. Or work. Or kids. Or money. It's about her.
It's not the situation; it's her in the situation.
I'm not suggesting that we should all run out tomorrow and make rash decisions or put ourselves (or others) at risk. But I am suggesting that, if we're not careful, some of us will wake up one day, we'll be ten years older, we'll still be procrastinating, we'll still be unfulfilled, we'll still be frustrated and we'll wish like crazy that we had listened to Craig in 2006, got over our fear, got off our arse and stopped waiting for the right time.
Perhaps you have a friend like mine... or perhaps you are the friend.
P.S. (Some time later) For those of you who are concerned that I've just destroyed a friendship, don't be. My friend (The Queen) knows exactly how I feel and that I care about her and want what's best for her. I have conveyed the above sentiments to her many times and after twenty years of having the same conversations about the same issues, she gets it. Still not doing anything... but she gets it.
G'dayGroovers. Sorry for the lack of input and inspiration over the last day or two; slack really. Dock my pay. I deserve it.
Things at the Harperdome, the new kids gym (Gecko), the corporate speaking world and radio-land have been somewhat frantic and demanding. Sometimes the realities of being a business owner, the boss of a bunch of people and Mr. I-can-do-fifty-things-at-once.... is just way too grown-up for me.
Sometimes I'm so mature and responsible, I think I'm becoming my Dad. Bugger.
Hi Ron.
I've been suffering from Blogger withdrawal today... so I thought I best put pen to paper...er, finger to keyboard.
So it seems that the article on the National Geographic Diet (my tongue-in-cheek description of instinctive eating) has generated some significant interest. For those of you who missed the piece, I explored the crazy dietary notion of not following any set eating plan (times, amounts, RDI's), but rather, learning to listen to, interpret and act upon the signals our body is constantly giving us; the signals we've so effectively trained ourselves to ignore over the years. The physiological signals which tell us wacky things like: STOP EATING YOU DON'T NEED THIS! The signals which clearly tell us (when we choose to listen) what our body does, and doesn't need (in terms of food). Not to be confused with the emotional and psychological urges and desires which tell us every five minutes that we need to medicate, sooth or reward ourselves with another unnecessary, indulgent, high-calorie 'prize'.
If you missed the article you can check it out here.
Okay, for those of you who want to re-connect with your body, learn something about yourself and give the instinctive eating thing a crack, here are my thoughts, ideas and suggestions (I would say rules but then I sound bossy.. and we really shouldn't have too many 'rules' when the very thing we're trying to do is listen to our body and let it tell us what to do).
1.Before you start your 28-day journey collect some base-line data. In other words; measurements and photos. Body-weight, girth measurements, body-fat percentage and a visual record (photos) are all good ideas. Remember; it's almost impossible for you to be objective about you.... so the pre and post-program testing helps us get some real perspective and objectivity about the worth of the concept we're exploring (in this instance; instinctive eating). Enough geekiness? Okay.
Unfortunately, we need to get a little scientific and quantify things as much as possible. For the program evaluation we want to take out opinion, estimation, guessing and simply assess the results.
2. Length of Program and start date. The length of our little research project is 28 days and you can start any time you like up until January 1, 2007... Then I can get your results, feedback, ideas and thoughts by the end of January. I will write up my report on my (personal) experience as well as provide an overview of the group results, vibe and feedback.
3. Keep a diary. Yes it's a suggestion... but consider it a strong suggestion. We know there are no 'rules' here at RYL (Renovate Your Life) but seeing as we're trying to conduct a pseudo-scientific study, we best document some stuff and look like we know what we're doing. Record EVERYTHING which will have some bearing on the outcome and be specific and thorough. What you eat, when you eat it, how much you eat, fluid intake, exercise, moods, hunger levels and sleep patterns (time to sleep, time awake). For example: don't write in your diary - Breakfast: cereal (not enough info). Instead, write Meal 1: (7.05am, very hungry) - 1 cup of oats, 1 cup of skim milk and 1 small banana. Meal 2: (10.45am, hungry) - 1 apple, 1 peach and half a cup of low-fat yoghurt... and so on. What we're trying to do is establish what works best for your body, and when we diarise everything we collect lots of valuable information, which over time will tell us what works best for us.
3. Don't eat until you're hungry. No matter what. The point of this study is for us to listen to what our body is really telling us and for us to learn what is optimal eating for our body. While I'm not going to tell you what to eat, or when to eat, I do suggest that you keep your intake of refined and processed foods to a minimum for the 28 days as they can mess with your blood-sugar, which often results in cravings. When we experience blood-sugar-related cravings, we often mis-interpret those signals for hunger and overeat. And get fat(ter).
4. Size of meals. Again, a suggestion.. smallish meals is usually the best option. Spend time establishing what is the best portion size for you. Typically, it's better to eat a small meal at 8am (for eg.) and another small meal at 9.40am if you're hungry again. Eating a huge meal at 8am and then nothing till February ain't a great plan. Better for digestion, blood-sugar, energy levels and metabolic function to stick with the smaller (more frequent, if necessary) meals. Not always practical, convenient or easy (we're about results and learning; not easy), but you're better to have seven or eight very small meals than one or two whoppers. However, if you do eat a big meal (not illegal in most states) then listen to your body....it will tell you when next to eat. Having said all of that, you may find you're weird and you function great on two bigger meals per day. Remember there ain't no rules, no absolutes and it's all about you listening to your body and seeing what works. You might eat four pounds of cheesecake on Monday (there's an idea) and a cow on Thursday ....and feel great. Doubt it.
5. Warning - Do not get involved in this trial if you have a pre-existing medical condition which could be exacerbated by a change in your eating habits. Diabetics, kids, people with eating disorders and pregnant women are just a few who should give this a miss. If you're not sure, see your doctor.
6. Change how you think - A lot of people who change the way they eat struggle simply because they weren't mentally or emotionally ready for the transition. Their body is fine but their head feels a little (nutritionally) neglected because they are accustomed to eating a certain (different) way. If you go into the process with the "I'm-a-martyr-and-I'm-making-a-huge-sacrifice" attitude, you'll last five minutes, you'll hate the process and you'll annoy the crap out of everyone within five miles. Focus on what you're gaining and learning; not what you're missing out on and before you eat every meal ask yourself this question: "Do I need this... or want this?"
7. Make sure you get enough micro and macro nutrients. If you think your body is telling you to eat nothing but donuts, there's a fair chance you're not listening properly... or you're listening to your head, not your body.
8. A Reward? Everyone who completes the 28 days, sends me a before and after photo and a brief report (no more than 250 words) will receive a RYL T-shirt... we will (okay, Johnnie will) set up a new section on the site and post your photos and report (we can omit the photo if you like). Then other people can learn from your experience... that's what we're about. Please ensure that you send us legitimate pre and post program photos.. we don't want photos taken two years apart!
9. Be organised. While we don't want our life to revolve around food preparation, organisation or consumption for these 28 days, it is important to be organised when it comes to your meals. This means having quality food available when you are hungry. Planning and Tupperware; the keys to success! Finding yourself in a situation where you're hungry with no access to quality food ain't what we're after.
10. Get going! Okay, off you go. Get organised, get your head where it needs to be, plan, prepare, change your body for the better, learn something and tell us about it.
If you have any questions post them on the comments section and I will answer them as quickly as possible.
P.S. It's a few hours later now and I just got back from doing my Saturday radio show. I interviewed one of Australia's most respected dieticians, Glenn Cardwell and ran the whole instinctive eating concept by him on air ... He's of the opinion that the whole 'listening to our body and eating accordingly' thing, has plenty of merit. Smart man.
His latest book; Gold Medal Nutrition (edition 4) is a great read and provides lots of quality information with no B.S. Love that. Check it out if you get the chance.
As an Exercise Scientist and Trainer I have spent much of the last twenty-five years helping people change their body. Smaller, bigger, lighter, leaner, more muscle, more flexibility, speed, power... Athletes, non-athletes, kids, mums, dads.....whatever they were after; that's what I did my best to deliver.
Early in my career I discovered that whether or not someone achieved their desired goals had very little to do with what was possible, or their genetic potential, and everything to do with their ability to deal with discomfort.
They say that every decision we make in life is in an effort to avoid pain, or gain pleasure.
We choose to eat the cake because we associate cake with pleasure. We choose to avoid the dentist because we associate the dentist with pain. We choose to stay in a bad relationship because we associate more pain with getting out of the relationship than staying in it.
But the reality is :
1) we don't need the cake 2) we do need the dentist and 3) we should get out of that destructive relationship.
If only we would give up the cake, look after our teeth and deal with our relationship (i.e. get uncomfortable) we would discover that the short-term pain/discomfort would make way for a whole new world of possibilities and a whole new level of growth, understanding and achievement.
Some personal-power muscles.
Lesson 1. Change is usually uncomfortable.
If you want an amazing life and you're all about creating positive change, then learn to deal with, if not embrace, discomfort.
Sorry Dude. Just how it is.
In the science of strength training we talk about a concept called progressive resistance training or progressive overload.
In simple terms, the theory is this: If you want to get stronger and continue to grow muscle (hypertrophy) you need to continually manipulate the training variables (weight, sets, reps, recovery time, technique, program design) so as to constantly and progressively 'force' your body to adapt to the ever-changing stress (all exercise is a form of stress).
When we talk about changing a body, we're talking about physiological adaptation... and a body will only adapt when it has a reason to. Most people in most gyms train their body in a manner where there is no need for adaptation... that's why they typically look the same, year in, year out. Or worse.
Rather than following a program or plan which is progressive in nature (causes them to get uncomfortable on a regular basis) they follow a 'maintenance program'... because it's easy and comfortable. And they love 'comfortable.'
They don't want to maintain, or intend to maintain... but that's all they're doing. They will continue on their cycle of frustration and zero results until they give their body a reason to adapt or until they throw in the towel altogether.
This adaptation/growth principle of exercise science can be applied to life and to our personal growth.
Lesson 2. In general, a person's ability to succeed will be largely dependant on their ability to adapt(deal with discomfort and change).
Life, relationships, careers, emotions, business markets, technologies, philosophies, environments are all in a constant state of evolution. This is part of the problem; we are creatures of habit and we like familiarity; we like 'same'.
Lesson 3. We like the benefits of change, but we don't like the process. But it's the process, not the results, from where the real benefits come.
Whether it's physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, professional, social or financial growth your after.... be prepared to get uncomfortable on a regular basis and you will dramatically improve your chances of creating your best life. By the way, the minute you make that uncomfortable decision, or do that uncomfortable thing you've been avoiding, the change process becomes instantly easier and your chances of success go through the roof ... because you got your head and heart (thinking, attitude, standards, emotions) where they need to be.
And you did what you needed to do.
Just like we work against resistance in the gym and we get stronger and grow muscle, those of us who work against resistance outside of the gym (problems, challenges, opposition, criticism, self doubt, insecurity, fear) get stronger and grow a different kind of muscle; emotional muscle, psychological muscle, self-control muscle, personal development muscle and spiritual muscle... and more.
Now go and get uncomfortable... and grow some muscle.
I love wild-life documentaries. I love watching those amazing creatures in their habitat, doing what they do. Well, perhaps not the tearing-each-other-to-pieces part.. but all the other stuff. Well, nearly all the other stuff.
Not so long ago, I was watching a doco and it dawned on me that there ain't too many chubby animals in the wild. Apart from animals which are genetically pre-disposed to have more fat for protection or survival (Bears, Penguins, Seals, Craigs), your typical animal in the wild is in pretty handy shape. You might say Buffed. Lean. Ripped. Rock-hard.
A few years ago I went on safari in Africa and while I saw thousands of animals, the only fatties I saw were the hippos.... but who's gonna tell them? Not me.
Interestingly, it's only when us very clever humans get involved with animals (i.e. feeding our domestic pets) that we start to see the rolls appear. My friend has a labrador that's about the size of a Hyundai..... she's like a three-door hatch with blond hair (the dog, not my friend).
Anyway, I started to think; how come these 'dumb' animals who don't have the magnificent education and brain-power that we humans do, don't have access to all those great diet books and that cutting-edge research (whatever that means) and certainly haven't read any of my blog (no internet access)... how come they're.... never fat? None of them. Not one.
Well the obvious answer is going to be that they run around all day trying not to get eaten by something with bigger, sharper teeth than theirs. Sure, we know that. They obviously have great exercise programs.... not to mention their incidental and occupational activity levels (you should try being a full-time hunter; huge calorie burner).
But, what about their diet? How do they know when to eat? How do they know when it's dinner time? How do they know how much to eat.... especially when there's not a clever human around to tell them.
Well, I kept searching as any good scientist and researcher would, and here's what I found: Hang on; you best sit down. This is big.
They eat when they need food. And when they don't need food, they don't eat.
Imagine that; not eating unless you actually NEED food. Crazy. That's never gonna catch on with humans.
Apparently, animals have this weird ability to discern a phenomenon called 'hunger'. When they sense it, they eat.
A little scientific I know, but hang in there with me.
Legend has it that thousands of years ago, we humans had this special ability also.
Okay, should I stop the sarcasm now? Oh alright.. but it's so much fun.. and I'm so good at it.
These days it seems that we are so dis-connected from what should be our natural instincts, so resistant to our body's physiological indicators, so programmed to eat certain foods, in certain amounts, at certain times, and so out of touch with what our body actually needs ... that some of us are rapidly heading towards a future of obesity, poor health and shorter-than-necessary life expectancies.
If only we would learn to listen to our body. If only we would realise that it's much smarter than us (the cerebral us).
There's a school of thought that teaches human bodies don't actually need set meals, set eating times, set micro and macro-nutrient intakes. This classroom teaches that daily nutritional requirements not only vary from person to person, but that they vary for the same person, from day to day. Some very smart people teach that eating instinctively, that is, in accordance with what our body is telling us, is optimal for health, function, appearance and longevity.
Imagine that. No diets. No set anything. Just a series of signals and responses. Clever.
Over the next month or so, you and I (if you stay with me) are going to explore the concept of instinctive eating, and in the near future I am going to conduct a strict 28 day research project on myself. I will document my results at the conclusion and tell you what I've learned.
I have considered the possibility of making this a group effort if some of you may be interested in joining me. If there's significant interest we can explore it... otherwise I will fly solo. I will be posting my instinctive eating guidelines and rules in the next week, so you may want to peruse them before you make any decision on the 28 day extravaganza..
Anyway, it might be fun. If you are interested, or you have any, thoughts, ideas or suggestions, click on the comments thingy at the bottom of this article and share with us all.
Is it just my imagination or are we all busier than ever? And seemingly, less fulfilled, more stressed, more confused and more... lost?
And having less fun. Definitely less fun.
"I'll have fun later. Right now, I'm busy being important and successful, get out of my way."
Lately, it seems that everyone I talk to is 'flat out'.
All in a big rush..... to nowhere in particular. We're extremely busy... doing... not a lot. Well, nothing of significance or real consequence. Nothing that makes us (consistently) happy or fulfilled anyway.
Sometimes we feel like we're just another speck of humanity on the big green ball.
Our lives are time-tabled to the nano-second... but we don't really know why.
We say we want a life of meaning and purpose...but we're too busy to sort out exactly what that purpose might be...
"Perhaps I'll do it this Sunday, because I have the afternoon off." "Yep, that's it; I'll do the what's-my-life-purpose-thing this Sunday....unless of course I get busy."
Lives have never been more chaotic, complex or frenetic... yet we've never felt emptier or less fulfilled. We're 30, 40, 50 or older and we're still not sure what we want from life. We don't have clarity and purpose, we have confusion, uncertainty and fear.
I spoke to a bloke this week who has been in a mundane, thankless, un-fulfilling career (which he hates) for thirty-five years... because it didn't dawn on him that work could be anything other than a means of paying bills. When I suggested that perhaps he could find new meaning, purpose, fulfillment, direction and excitement (yes, even in his fifties) he thought I was trying to sell him something.
I was; A LIFE.
When I suggested that he at least explore the possibility of either 1) making his current career more rewarding or 2) changing careers and creating a new reality, he thought I was nuts.
I didn't say it would be easy or smooth or comfortable... but, is it possible to change careers, lives and realities at fifty and beyond? Yep.
Don't mis-represent 'fear' with 'possibilities'... If we say "it's impossible", then we don't have to overcome our fears... and we can stay in our un-fulfilling (but safe) little world that we've built ourselves.
Every day I ask people what their life-purpose is, and the majority don't really know.
And not only don't they know, they never even really take the time to explore it. Sometimes they'll mumble and bumble their way through some trite, predictable, I-wanna-save-the-planet-type answer... because that's what they think is appropriate... and sometimes they will get cranky at me and tell me that I don't understand their situation and I'm being unreasonable.
Okay.
Some of us get up every day and do what we did yesterday... because that's what we do.
It's not part of a plan or anything... it's just a habit we are living. We don't have a desire to keep doing what we doing, but at the same time, we haven't clarified what we do want to do... and we haven't really done anything to remove ourselves from the less-than-desirable position we are in right now.
With me?
We want 'different' but we trap ourselves in 'same' because of fear, laziness, apathy and ignorance.
Primarily fear.
Fear of failure. Fear of the unknown. Fear of losing what we've got ("I'd rather have mediocre... than nothing"). Fear of embarrassment. Fear of discomfort (emotional, psychological, physical, spiritual).
We need to take time out to get clarity. Real clarity.
Clarity and Certainty about what we want for our life.
Clarity about our reason for being here... some of my critics tell me there is no 'reason'; we're just here. I choose to be here for a reason. What's yours?
Clarity about what we want for our future. When I ask most people if they planned to be in their current situation, they say no. "I just kind of ended up here." Crap life-strategy. By not making a decision, you are making a decision.
Clarity about our relationships. Too many people don't know exactly what they want, need or like in a relationship. They don't create good relationships, they just exist and survive in the ones they have. I choose not to have friendships with negative, destructive, life-is-so-hard, energy vampires. I choose to hang out (socially) with people who challenge me, teach me and stretch me. I choose to hang out with people I respect. I choose to hang out with people who make me laugh... and cry.
Clarity about our career. We're always hearing those stats on how we all spend 108.7% of our time working and that 264% of us are miserable in our career ....okay, I made the numbers up but you get my point. Spend time exploring, researching, asking questions, talking to people. Perhaps you need to study or re-train. Don't panic.. you'll survive ya big scaredy cat. I went back to University at thirty-six after an eighteen-year absence from (formal) education. And I spent three years, five days a week, hanging out with a bunch of eighteen to twenty year-olds who taught me way more than I taught them. I had zero computer skills, I had a full-time career, I had fifty-plus staff, I had people telling me I shouldn't do it, I had massive time-management issues .....and I had the best time ever!
Clarity about our beliefs, values and principles. Aaah, now we're getting into the juicy stuff.
Ask yourself two questions:
1) What are my beliefs, values and principles? If we are absolutely honest, most of us are a little hazy and foggy when it comes to articulating this - I'm talking about speaking with emotion and depth of feeling from the heart, not some rehearsed politically correct waffle from our head. If you really haven't clarified what are your 'core' beliefs, values and principles (what represents you, what is important to you) then maybe now's the time.
I know it's not convenient now but do it anyway. Who knows.. you may grow to like spontaneity!
2) Am I living a life which is consistent with my beliefs, values and principles? Answer this honestly and you may discover many of your big-picture answers. Many people are miserable because they are actually living a life which is at odds with 'who they really are.'
To gain genuine clarity requires space. And silence And no distractions. And focus. And time. And discipline.
And guts and honesty.
Some of us are trapped in an emotional, cerebral and creative fog. We need to stick our head up through the clouds and take a look at the big wide world of possibilities.
I love Planet Possibility; it's where I live.
I know I have many short-comings; but I choose to succeed anyway. I know I'm not super-talented... but I've decided to squeeze every ounce out of what I've got. I know that a life lived with purpose is not always easy... I'm prepared to be uncomfortable regularly. I know some people will be critical of my philosophies, ideas and choices; I'm okay with that. I know I will be wrong and make mistakes; I'll choose to learn. I know that if I don't believe in me, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. I know not to confuse 'what I feel with what is real'... because my feelings are not a great indicator of what's possible.
I know I want to live, laugh, love and learn. Every day.
What do you really want? And what are you prepared to do for it?
Following on from Part One, here's part two.......
21. Don't be short-sighted. Be less concerned with 'how much money you make to today' and more concerned with the business you're growing to support you in the long-term. Next month I'm opening the doors of my first kid's gym. I'm not really interested in how much money I (personally) make over the next twelve months (I'll probably make none), but I am interested in growing a program, product and service which will be around for decades, meeting needs, filling a gap in the market, employing some great people and making good money in the long term. Establishing a businesses which will grow, adapt and succeed for years to come is what I'm about.
22. Trust very few peoplewhen it comes to handling your money. I know you're thinking that I'm a cynical, un-trusting, crusty old grump... you're part right; I don't trust people until I know they are trustworthy. I'm not a cynic, I'm a realist.
Given the opportunity, many people will steal if cash is on offer and they believe they can get away with it. I know this is not a popular, or politically-correct view, but I have worked in cash businesses for twenty five years, and I have seen way too many people steal. Perhaps my history is not a great indication... but it's the only one I've had, so I'm giving you my truth. Hopefully you don't have the same experiences (I'd like your thoughts on this - go to the comments link at the bottom). In my own businesses I have had many thieves... and often the person you think is the least likely.... is the most likely. Do not take this warning lightly.
23. Operate with integrity. I'm a business owner... and I'm interested in the bottom line. But... I'm not obsessed with the bottom line. I know that it's possible to run a business with integrity, honesty and principles... and to not only make money... but long-term, to make more money than those who don't operate with the same values and business principles as you. Being honest and making money aren't meant to be mutually exclusive.
24. Keep the partners of your employees happy - This is a lesson I learned the hard way. Don't assume that when you give Sarah a job, you're just employing her. Oh no... you're employing her husband, Bill, as well. And don't you worry... Bill is gonna keep you on your toes! By the way, Billy Boy doesn't care about your business.... he cares about Sarah.
25. Get perspective on your business When we're always in it... it's hard to get real perspective and to be objective. It's also hard to be un-emotional when it's your little baby. My suggestions are: 1) step back (right back) and analyse your business and everything about it from a distance... and/or 2) Use someone who has the skills and perspective that you don't (friend, consultant) to methodically analyse all areas of your business (systems, services, administration, staff....). Make sure it's someone that you know is worth listening to.... not your Uncle Charlie who had a hardware store thirty years ago.
26. Be unpredictable (creative, daring). If you want to be like everyone else... then do what they do. If you want to succeed, surprise people. Don't conform. Don't (always) do what's expected. When you're unpredictable you keep your staff, your competitors and you.. on your toes.
Don't confuse unpredictable with erratic.
27. Give people a reason to be loyal to your company. Under-promise and over-deliver. Blow people away with your level of customer service and care every time... and not just while you're trying to grow a business... not just while it's new and exciting. I have watched many businesses stumble because the owner/s and staff have dropped the ball... after a great start to the game, they lose focus, standards drop and people find somewhere better to spend their money.
28. Make best use of your time and skills - Don't spend two weeks doing something badly which will take someone else two hours to do well; designing a logo, setting up a computer system (no really, I can do it), painting, building. I'm not saying you should never get your hands dirty, but I am saying, make the best use of your time and skills. When I set up my current centre (eight years ago) I cleverly decided that I would paint all of the offices (being the handyman that I am). I painted for one and a half days, did an atrocious job, spat the dummy and had to employ a real painter to fix what I had done. Waste of time and money, everyone laughed at my crap painting and my self-esteem took a battering. Sad.
29. Plan for growth - When my business grew rapidly I had no growth plan and I was unprepared for the demand. I literally could not meet the needs of my clients; there were too many. I was naive and had not anticipated many of the realities or possibilities of a new business and new type of service. I was always playing catch up... always 'surviving' rather than thriving. As a consequence, I lost potential clients. Dumb.
30. Create win-win relationshipswith other businesses. Synergy with like-minded business allies is always a good thing. I have a great referral network with doctors, physiotherapists (called physical therapists in the US), dieticians, psychologists, massage therapists, coaches, athletes and many others. They help grow my business and I help them.
31. Read the market and know when to diversify, expand, adapt, change. Don't get complacent. We need to continually (not daily, but over time) change, modify, adapt and grow our product, service and brand. Even a business like mine which sells something as simple as health and fitness (okay, maybe not so simple) is always changing what we deliver and the way we deliver it. Businesses are in a constant state of evolution.. and if they're not, they're being passed by.
32. Give people a reason to market your businessand sell 'you'. It's much easier for someone else to 'sell' you than it is for you to sell yourself. If people are 'talking up' you and your business you must be doing something right. So... do it right, all the time.
33. Remember you can create only one first impression. Make sure every experience people have with your organisation (including the first one) wreaks of professionalism and great customer service. A few years ago I wanted to buy a particular car. I had done my homework and knew exactly what I wanted. I headed to the closest dealership ready to put in my order and spend up. The guy who (eventually) spoke to me was rude, arrogant and condescending. I told him so ...and bought my car elsewhere the same day. Even though they had 'the product' I wanted, I decided not to become their customer because of the crap service. This is how we humans work; remember that!
34. Be wary about taking on a business partner. Have a business partner only if you must. (Again, not a popular view). Partnerships can be great or catastrophic. If you go into a business partnership CLEARLY define the boundaries, rules, expectations and responsibilities. And... formalise everything with a contract.
35. Invest emotional energy into your staff. Be genuinely interested in your staff and their lives.... but don't (necessarily) expect it in return. Apart from the fact that it's nice to be nice, it's also in your interests to have a connection and understanding with your employees about life beyond work.
There you have it. If the ex-fat kid, with no business experience can do it... ...so can you.
If you got something out of this article, you may also enjoy my thoughts on marketing. Take a look here.
At some stage, every successful business was simply an idea floating around in someone's head.
Nothing more.
And then one day someone took that idea, wrapped it in an action plan, made some decisions, got off their butt and turned a theoretical concept into a practical, living, breathing reality.
Aaah the wonder of (business) creation.
Google... just an idea a couple of fellas had; kinda worked out okay for them.
Remember: It doesn't matter how great your idea is, how 'ready' the market is for your product or service, or how much potential you have, if you don't actually make the decision and take the action.
Ideas are a dime-a-dozen.
It's good to have ideas... it's great to do something with them. There are millions of very smart, creative, talented would-be entrepeneurs who have been spinning their wheels for ten years because they never actually DO ANYTHING!
Talk a lot. Theorise a lot. Plan. Research. Talk more. Wait a bit. Write out pages and pages of notes. Wait a bit more. For ever.
And then jump up and down when someone else steals 'their' business idea.
Criminal.
I meet them regularly. They tell me how I need to change my business. I don't want someone who's never picked up a wrench or got grease on their hands telling me how to tune my car.
I have spoken to way too many people who are full of good business ideas and plans which never get acted upon.
The following article is a snapshot of what I've learned pioneering a business which was (at the time) the first of it's kind in this country... some thoughts and ideas for anyone considering establishing and growing ANY type of business. I'm not suggesting that you embrace all of my suggestions or principles but take a look and see what resonates within you. Some of what I've written may or may not be appropriate for your situation... or you may simply disagree; that's okay too.
This list is by no means exhaustive but it might be a starting point for you.
1. Find what you love todo and make a business out of it. Simple, but too often, it doesn't happen. The vast majority of people don't love going to work each day. Tragic. If you're passionate about what you do, you're more likely to create a successful business, more likely to stay focused and more likely to remain healthy, happy and positive.. all good stuff. Don't tolerate work, celebrate it.
2. Be VERY careful about employing friends. It's gonna get ugly. Very few friendships survive the new dynamic of the employer-employee relationship. Tears, tantrums and ruined relationships. Not always... but way too often. Trust me.
3. Get the people stuff right... Too many business owners and bosses get everything right except the people stuff... and they fail. Your biggest challenge in business (unless you're flying solo) will not be about marketing, business models, your competition or corporate logo.. it will be about egos, attitudes, personalities, opinions, emotions and politics - people. If you can't communicate, listen, manage, lead, resolve conflict and laugh.... don't employ people.
4. Consciously develop your business culture... "This is how we do things, these are the standards, this is what I expect, this is acceptable, this is the level of service we will deliver"... every time. Your staff and your customers must know and understand the culture of your business... a culture of exellence... of better... of different... of fun... of personal growth... of whatever you want it to be.
5. Be the leader people need. Whether or not you want to be a leader, once you become a business owner with employees... you're the leader. So lead! Don't be vague, indecisive and inconsistent... if you can't lead, they won't follow. Make decisions... do the tough stuff. Be a role model. If you want a cool book to read on the subject, check out JohnC. Maxwell's21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. It rocks.
"A leader who has no followers... is merely going for a walk" - Johh C. Maxwell
6. Have a vision for your organization and get people to buy into that vision. Know exactly where you're business is going... too many businesses are hit and miss. The old "let's open the doors and see what happens".. ain't a great success strategy. Where will you be in 1, 2, 5 years.. and how will it happen?
7. Don't tolerate people who are not on the same page as you. Too many businesses carry passengers. Staff who undermine you and the integrity of your business are like corporate cancer and need to be removed. People who don't want to work... get rid of them too. If someone doesn't consistently add value to your business, find someone who will. DON'T compromise.
See ya. Wouldn't wanna be ya.
8. Ignore most of the 'experts'. Most of them have never developed or maintained a successful business. A theoretical understanding of certain business principles doesn't always translate into a practical success. Find someone who's done amazing things in the business world.... and follow them around until they put a restraining order on you.
9. Hang out with successful people. When we hang out with successful people our standards change and we begin to see, think, operate and decide.. differently. They drag us up. Success breeds success. Find a mentor who's genuinely interested in you and your business. Successful, creative, dynamic, pro-active people are inspiring to be around.
And who can't do with a bit of inspiration?
10. Create a great work environment. One of my priorities in my business has always been to develop and nurture an environment that people love to be in. Over the years I have had people offer to work at Harper's for free for extended periods of time, simply because they love the environment, the atmosphere and the culture (I don't take them up on it). Make work a rewarding, fun, stimulating, and enjoyable place to be and (most) other things will fall in place.
11. Don't be a sheep.... It's smart to be aware of what others are doing but you're never going to really succeed if you're simply copying and replicating. Being an innovator is way better than being an immitator. It's good to see what others are doing and to learn from them... but it's great to invest your ideas, passion and creativity into your business.
12. Define professional success (for you). What do you really want to achieve through your career, business? How will you know when you're successful? What are the markers(KPI's)? It is money-based? Is it enjoyment-based? Is it lifestlye-based? Too many people understand what goal-setting is all about (on an intellectual level)... but don't actually do it. What are your goals, hopes and expectations for the first 1, 2, 5 years of your business?
13. Don't make it harder than it needs to be. As much as humanly possible cover all your bases BUT don't over-complicate the process. I have watched business partnerships crumble because people couldn't agree on even the smallest issues. Have a great product, create a good environment, know what people want, keep them happy.
14. Don't avoid stuff. Don't put things in the too-hard basket. You know this stuff; the stuff that will make the difference. People tend to do what they enjoy... rather than what needs to be done (same applys when we're talking about people's health). The little problem that goes un-addressed will turn into a massive headache in no time.
15. Plan. It's great to be passionate, driven and optimistic, but our enthusiasm and emotion need to be wrapped in a smart business plan. See, I'm not against planning and research.. but I am against planning for ten years without actually doing anything!
16. Be proactive not reactive. Do what most people in business don't; create, grow, develop, risk, lead, do ... in the words of Ghandi "be the change". Don't wait until your business is dying a slow death before you make changes.
17. Don't get lazy or complacent. If you have a propensity to be lazy, don't go into business. Quite often people start their new business, experience a level of success and then get complacent / lazy / dis-interested / distracted. Being a work-aholic is a recipe for disaster (on many levels) but so is laziness.
18. Give people a reason to buy what you're selling (and to continue to buy). In business we need something (positive) to differentiate our business or product from our competitors. An edge. The business types call this a USP; unique selling proposition. So many people (especially in the fitness industry) set up businesses which are virtually identical to twenty other businesses within a ten minute radius. And then they wonder why no-one walks through the door. Your USP might be something amazing like a unique product or service, or it might simply be that your business is the best at what you do.
19. It's great to be philanthropic and generous... but it's stupid to go broke in business. I have worked with some very noble, caring, community-minded, socially-conscious, generous people who have NO IDEA about creating a profitable business. They have a desire to create a business which 'helps' people... but often, the only person they don't help, is themself. They feel guilty about making money. Many 'nice' people fail because they are too uncomfortable to deal with (some of) the realities of business. Don't be afraid to charge. Don't devalue yourself, or your product by undercharging.
20. When you talk to your accountant, lawyer, business advisor, computer guy, etc.. don't automatically assume they are right or they know what's best for your business. Question things. Challenge them. Take every opportunity to learn. Sometimes they don't fully understand the nature of your industry or the culture, or needs, of your business. Listen to the advice, consider it, then you make a decision.
I Love food. Baked cheese-cake in particular. And lasagne. And dark chocolate. Specifically, Lindt.
And I love a hamburger with egg, cheese and onion. A massive hamburger, dripping with egg and sauce (ketchup for my American friends), covered in a pound of cheese and two inches of fried onions.
If I was hungry and someone got between me and that hamburger, there's a fair chance I'd hurt them.
Badly.
I have food issues.
I'm a work in progress.
People think that because I do what I do for a living (trainer, exercise scientist, educator, etc.) that I have an aversion to anything with sugar, fat, salt or flavour.
Are you kidding?
Let's get one thing clear: If I could eat five pieces of thick white toast with crunchy peanut butter for breakfast every day, and stay lean and healthy, I'd do it.
No brainer.
Cheesecake every night and stay in shape? Okay, I'm in.
Yes I love food (healthy food too), and yes I enjoy the odd, infrequent, splurge (oh, the frailty of the human condition)... but what I love more is:
.....being in shape.
I've been fat... and I've been lean. It ain't a big decision.
And for some people (like me) we need to make a decision. And we don't need to get all precious and melodramatic about it...
We just need to make the decision. Soon. Now even.
Do I want to eat junk (regularly), or do I want to be in shape.
I can't do both. So I Choose to be in shape.
I'm always talking to people who tell me how deprived they feel when they don't eat their favourite junk foods.
Q. You know why they feel deprived? A. 'Cause they focus on what they're missing (junk food), not what they're gaining (a leaner, lighter, healthier body).
It's an attitude and perspective thing, not a food thing.
So next time you're feeling a little 'deprived', don't focus on the cake (biscuit, ice-cream, chocolate) that gives you five minutes of pleasure... focus on the body that you live in twenty four hours a day.
By the way, I'm yet to talk to somoene who feels good (emotionally, psychologically or physically) after they have made a bad food decision or over-eaten.
Some practical suggestions:
Option 1. No junk, get you're head where it needs to be, don't be a sook, enjoy your new body. Have the rare splurge (once a month).
Option 2. Eat your five small meals per day (35 small meals per week) and allow yourself one meal per week where you eat a favourite junk food (not a wheelbarrow full).
Option 3. Eat a very small amount of your favourite food daily. The problem is not that we eat a chocolate; it's that we eat forty chocolates. I worked with a choc-o-holic who ate chocolate every day and lost twenty three kilos (50lbs)... because she reduced her intake from plenty ... to two chocolates a day (every day).
Have you ever met someone who has seemingly lost their identity to their career (or perhaps to something else)?
And if you take them away from that career (or whatever it is), it's like they don't know who they are... because that is who they are...
It (whatever it is) gives them their confidence, their self esteem... and their identity.
"Tell me about yourself" "I'm a Lawyer." "No, don't tell me about your job... tell me about you." "What do you want to know?"
"Well, a Lawyer isn't who you are.. it's what you do; tell me about you."
Aaah...
"What inspires you, drives you, gets you excited, gets you furious, makes you cry, makes you laugh?"
"What are you passionate about, fearful of, what would you fight for?" "What will your legacy be?"
"Err...well, um.. can you give me a minute?"
I met someone recently and asked him all of the above questions in the first five minutes (a little intense I know). He totally didn't get it... thought I was weird.
Probably right, but not the point.
When I discovered that he was a lawyer, we had this conversation: (nothing against lawyers by the way)
"Do you enjoy law?" "I wouldn't call it enjoyment" "What would you call it?" "Work." "Can't they be synonymous?" "Not where I work"
"Did you always want to be lawyer?" "No." "What did you want to be?" "A vet or a musician." "What happened?" "My father happened." "Waddya mean?" "Family law firm, weight of expectation, eighteen years old." "You're not eighteen now."
In the ensuing twenty minutes, he gave me fifty reasons why he must stay a lawyer and why he couldn't pursue something more fulfilling, stimulating, rewarding or (shock, horror).. fun!
When I suggested that he returned to his passion (of music), even just for fun as a hobby, he assured me that he didn't have the time or the financial freedom to pursue something with little, or no, financial rewards.
I left him to enjoy another thirty years of blah... Sometimes we're so busy existing... and conforming... and keeping everyone else happy, that we forget to live... and to pursue our passion. Or at least, try and discover what it might be.
Forget to do what makes us happy. Forget to be 'us'.
Not the 'us' everyone else expects, the real us. The us we love. Some of us have never even met the real us...
Confused?
We're so focused on creating a career, marrying before a certain age, producing our 2.3 kids, doing what's expected, making money, ticking boxes, doing all the necessary 'practical life' stuff, that we gradually and un-intentionally, lose part of ourselves. Of course we have to make money, pay bills and do all those grown-up things, but for many of us, somewhere along the way we lost the idealist, the dreamer, the optimist and the kid in us, who was always going to do and be something amazing.
Somewhere between then and now our standards changed, we started to think differently and we let the world beat the hope, excitement, creativity and the optimism out of us.
Somewhere, somehow... we settled. We compromised. We got tired, frustrated and disillusioned.
We got older... and more cynical..and more negative... and smarter... and dumber.
We started to rationalise our current situation with a very sensible, mature... and crippling perspective.
What if today was the day we gave the kid, the dreamer, the optimist and the idealist, a chance to run our life, or at least, have a voice in our life... and make some decisions?
Perhaps not all of the decisions.. but at least a few.
Maybe it would get some noses out of joint. Maybe it would be unconventional. Maybe it would be unexpected. Maybe it would be a bit lumpy and bumpy... for a while. Maybe it would make you uncomfortable and cause you to grow...and feel. Maybe it would be amazing and rewarding and stimulating and fun.
Have you ever wondered why men can run into burning buildings to save their buddies from certain death, give them mouth to mouth and donate a kidney... but in a different situation and at a different time, not even be able to give the same bloke a hug?
If it's a life or death situation, we men will all-but kill ourselves to prove our friendship, loyalty and love... but to give a casual hug as a display of affection; don't be ridiculous.
Other than life and death situations, the 'I-really-care-about-you' signal usually comes in the form of a flick of the testicles with a wet towel, a headlock, or a punch on the arm. All male code for; 'I love you, but I'm too dysfunctional to show it.' 'So here.. have a bruise or a dislocation.'
I have to admit, there was a stage in my alpha-male evolution when I wasn't so comfortable with the whole man-on-man, embrace. Even if it was my best friend. Not that he would try.
In testosterone land (where most blokes live), an unwelcome approach from a well-intending male hugger, can result in violence and significant injury. Best friends will rarely hug unless alcohol is involved.. and then they'll do nothing but hug. While falling all over, and expressing their un-dying love and loyalty to each other.
What is it with (most) men? We can't hug or express any kind of affection to one another (excluding the alcohol thing), yet we'll take a bullet to protect one of our buddies.
Fortunately for me, the last decade has been somewhat liberating and I now enjoy more man-hugs per day, than most blokes would endure in a year. I have some very large, affectionate men who work with me so I don't have much say in it, but overall, it's kinda good.
One of my trainers (Gary) is five foot eight, weighs 120 kgs (264lbs) and bear-hugs me every day. He picks me up off the ground, shakes me around a bit and then puts me back where he found me. Whether I like it or not; it's happening. 264 pounds, 20 inch arms; that's a lot of love.
Over the last few months a non-hugger has come into my life. We work together and have become friends.. in fact he's the bloke who created and maintains this web-site and the bloke who manages my speaking and media stuff. For the sake of his professional reputation and anonymity, we'll call him John Hopkins.
Now, unfortunately for Johnny, my business is also his new work base; the same environment which is home to that team of large, alpha-males, who are themselves, quite partial to the man-hug. If someone thinks you're okay, there's a fair chance you'll receive some affection.
Not an inappropriate, lengthy display of affection.. just a bit of, "I think you're okay, so here's a hug."
The last month or two has been an interesting case study for me because Johnny's pretty easy to like.. and the more the boys like someone, the more they want a hug.
To say that Johnny ain't too comfortable with the concept is akin to saying "Gee, there's a lot of people in China."
The good news is, he's been at the Harperdome for about eight weeks now and I think I'm starting to detect a chink in his alpha-male armour. Four weeks ago an attempted hug would result in swearing and threats, at the very least.
This morning I hugged him.. and not even a whimper. Progress. He won't say.. but I think he digs it.
He likes to come across as Mr. 'don't-touch-me-or-I'll-belt-you', but under that tough-guy, forty three year-old exterior, is a twelve year-old who wants a hug and a bit of love.
It's okay Johnny. You don't need to be uncomfortable; we love you.
Other than under the influence of alcohol, the one exception to the 'no hugging rule' seems to be on the sporting field. To the casual observer, it would appear that the sporting arena is some type of exclusion zone for what is acceptable (even expected) male to male behaviour.
While in general, the bloke will avoid any physical intimacy or displays of affection with other males at all costs, it is on the sporting field where we witness a type of relationship which seems to be at odds with the typical behaviour of the male of the species.
It appears that once the man steps onto the sporting field he struggles to keep his hands off his other team mates; with inordinate amounts of hugging, fondling, kissing, rubbing and inappropriate touching being commonplace.
Even the most insignificant reason will see blokes running from all over the field to fondle, touch, pat, slap and rub a team-mate's backside. For some unknown reason the backside seems to receive a lot of attention.
The following, is a slightly modified extract from my latest pocket book; 'Food For Thought'...enjoy.
Most of us are 'three square meals a day' people.
Research tells us (I hate that expression, but it's true) that our bodies actually function optimally on more frequent, smaller meals, rather than less frequent, bigger meals. Our body isn't built to run on a sporadic mix of whopping meals, tiny meals and 'normal-size' meals...or one or two gigantic meals.
When we eat small, similar-sized meals, more often, we are:
* Less likely to gain fat * More likely to keep our blood sugar levels in a healthier range * More likely to keep our metabolism elevated (the rate at which our body uses energy) * Less likely to overload our digestive system and feel sluggish * Less likely to have blood-sugar-related cravings (and do stupid things) * Less likely to have energy peaks and troughs * More likely to stay mentally sharp * More likely to have the body we want
To my knowledge, there is no scientific evidence which indicates that a mix of bigger and smaller meals is ideal for a human body, yet that's how most of us eat; four Corn Flakes for breakfast and a deep-fried buffalo for lunch.
Stupid.
A small farm animal for dinner, followed by a crappy sleep (because our digestive system is grumpy with us) and no breakfast the next day (because our body is still trying to deal with the cow from the previous evening).... Clever aren't we?
If you are typically not hungry at breakfast time, it's probably because you're eating too many calories, too close to bed time. We often eat our biggest meal, when we are moving into the least active phase of our day. Instead, try eating a small, low-fat dinner (300-500 calories) about four hours (yes, four) before bed time.
You'll be hungry in the morning.
If (for example) you were going to eat 2,000 calories per day, you would be better served to divide your food into five meals of 400 calories, as opposed to consuming the exact same amount of food in two whopping meals of 1,000 calories. It's not only what we eat (fat, carbs, protein, cals) which is the issue, but when we eat and how we structure our meals over the course of a typical day.
The woman who eats five small meals per day, while her identical-twin sister consumes the same amount of calories in two large meals, will (over time) be leaner, lighter and healthier (discounting the other variables).
Your dinner doesn't have to be as big as a Hyundai and served on a plate to qualify as a meal. A meal might be an apple and a yoghurt.... or a handful of chicken (not a whole chicken) and a salad. We need to change the way we think (about food), as much as we need to change the way we actually eat.
We eat big meals..... 'cause that's what we've always done. We don't need it... we just do it.
We're educated, we're intelligent (allegedly) and we're fat.
America, Canada, Australia, England, New Zealand; more educated and informed than ever before (about nutrition, obesity, lifestyle, health issues)... all getting fatter by the year.
If you want a rough guide as to how much food is ideal at each meal, look at the size of your fist and that is about the volume of food you can aim for (if you exercise a lot, you may want to increase it by fifty to a hundred percent). Of course the fist thing is not a scientific standard but it can give you a starting point and seems about right for most people.
I know; right now you're wishing you had bigger hands.
*If you are an elite athlete or you have the metabolism of lion, you may want to igonore this article and pass it on to a chubby, two-meals-a-day friend...
As a business owner who sells a service and needs to pay a few staff, it's kind of important that my team and I keep people coming through the doors of the Harperdome. And that more importantly, that we retain clients, keep them happy and help them achieve their goals.
No revelation there. Obvious stuff.
So with that in mind, you might assume that I have some big, complex five-year business plan and a whiz-bang marketing strategy that's been developed by my team of highly paid business consultants and experts, somewhere deep within the bowels of the SS Harper.
Aah, not exactly.
Aah, not at all.
According to my business guru friends, I am a marketing disgrace.
My marketing buddies have been telling me for years that my company should have a significant annual marketing budget....Our marketing budget is zero; every year.
They also tell me that, at the very least, we should have a large advertisement in the yellow pages, as our competition is growing....We don't have an advertisement.
Some other business buddies have suggested that we get people to commit 'up front' to our services for extended periods of time. .....We don't do that either.
They tell me we should sell general 'gym memberships', after all, it's the biggest Personal Training centre in the country, there's enough room and resources.....we have no members and no memberships. All training is by appointment only. Apparently; a stupid concept.
Contracts? Nuh.
Minimum training commitments? No; if they train once only, that's fine.
Selling strategy? None really. No hard selling. Ever. We chat to people, we listen, we ask questions, we create rapport, and if we feel we can help them, and they are inclined to train with us, we proceed. Otherwise we suggest alternatives to help them achieve their goals. I have sent many people to other centres or specialists who I feel would best suit that person's needs. It's a crazy business concept my dad taught me; we call it honesty and integrity. Sometimes we need to step out of our what's-in-it-for-me-now mentality and think on a different level. People who are all about 'now' usually do the worst (in my experience).
People buy largely on emotion and instinct, and if you connect with people... then there's a fair chance they'll buy what you're selling. If people feel they're being 'sold', they are less likely to buy. Despite people's aversion to high-pressure selling, many businesses continue the practice. Maybe (a big maybe) they'll hook someone short term but, will they create a long-term, win-win, relationship with that person? Not likely.
I'm about the next ten years, not the next ten days.
Dealing with the competition? About a year ago a new fitness centre (part of a large chain) opened up six hundred metres down the road. Some of my friends (self-appointed, well-intending, guardians of my business) went in to panic mode. "What are you going to do", one of my mates asked. When I told him "nothing different", he thought it was the beginning of the end. Over the last year our business (the one with no marketing budget) is busier than ever and the gym down the road (the one with the big marketing budget) was recently sold to another chain.
Waddabout young sexy, gorgeous staff in teeny weeny outfits? Nuh. The majority of my trainers are late-thirties plus. I have several staff in their fifties and my 'most experienced' team member is 67 years young and amazing.
Okay, I know what you're thinking. "But Craig, you do lots of media stuff and that's what grows your business."
Two things to think about here:
1) I rarely mention my company name when I do media stuff, it's usually all done under the Craig Harper banner. Many people who follow me in the media don't even know about my business.
2) My business grew from one client to well over a thousand clients before I did any media.
So while I don't really have a traditional marketing strategy, I guess I do have an unconventional marketing philosophy...of sorts.
Here it is:
Spend little or no money on marketing - Won't work in every business, but if you do things strategically and thoughtfully, you'll be amazed what exposure, interest and momentum you can create before you spend a cent. Again, this has worked for me personally (in a small to medium sized business) but I realise that Coca-Cola or McDonald's may not share my perspective.
Invest time and energy in your customers - I spoke to an older gentlemen recently who was interested in being trained by one of my team. I spent twenty minutes with him, had a few laughs and he booked in for three sessions per week. Now, if he trains three times per week for the next year, he will invest in the vicinity of $8,000 in his health. Good for him, good for my business. Why did he choose Harper's? Because he had visited eleven centres (we were number twelve) and I was the first person who listened, didn't 'sell' and spent more than two minutes with him. I would have happily spent the time with him no matter what the outcome was. If the first eleven businesses had half a clue, we would never have met.
Develop and continue to develop a great product... If you do what everybody else does, you'll get what everybody else gets; mediocrity. Not saying we can't learn from others but... much better to be an innovator than an immitator. When I set up my first centre, it was the first of it's kind in Australia. Most people (all more qualified and more experienced than me) told me that the concept (of a Personal Training centre) wouldn't work in this country. "Not a big enough population, not enough disposable income, it's a fad." Glad I chose not to listen.
Be the shepherd, not the sheep.
Give your clients a reason to market your business for you. This is how it works in Personal Training (for eg.). Get a fat bloke in shape and ten things will happen:
1) He'll be a slimmer, healthier, satisfied customer. 2) People will want some of what he's got. 3) He will sell you and your business (verbally and visually). 4) He will create 'brand awareness' for you. 5) You will have more people walk through the door. 6) He will boost your credibility. 7) He'll bring five of his fat buddies, who in turn will bring fifty of their buddies.. and so on. 8) Your business will grow. 9) You'll make more money. 10) You'll buy a boat.
Okay, maybe not a boat.
But, you get my point.
I don't believe it's as complex as some people make it. But then..I don't have that marketing degree and I've read no marketing books.
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