I’ll expand further, and offer lots of examples, in my training video below. Consider it a chance to sit down each quarter with a business mentor, over a cup of coffee, and have someone pour into you. I hope you tune in and enjoy it.

I’m a journalist by trade, a long-time health club owner and a fitness leader. Each quarter, I’ll share two business tips, one personal growth tip and one book (or audio) recommendation. I want you to find tangible steps or shifts you can make in your own fitness business — as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, studio owner or any wellness practitioner.

Business Tip 1. Your success lies in your ability to create community. Our income is directly attached to our impact and influence. You can choose to reach a wide audience of people with your skills and talents, or a smaller group on a deeper level. They both lead to greater levels of financial success and a sense of achievement and purpose. When we create a safe place for others to gather, meet, convene, and grow, we create a variety of business opportunities, whether it’s online or in person.

People are seeking community and commonality. As leaders, we can provide that. Consider who you have influence with right now. Is there a way for that group to get to know each other, work together, grow together or get healthy together? Look for opportunities to connect people and oversee communities. It’ll make your business stronger and more stable.

Business Tip 2. The way you do anything is the way you do everything. I heard this tip about a decade ago and have applied it to my life in many ways. From how I keep my calendar, to my planner, to my workspace, to even my car. When you take care of the things in your care, when you become a person who is prepared, ready and organized. These traits permeate everything you do.

When you are organized in your home life, you’re more likely to be organized in your work life. As fitness professionals, we see this in our clients. When a client adopts great fitness habits, he or she is more likely to clean up their eating habits as well. One good habit leads to ten more.

Personal Growth Tip 3. Have standards for yourself versus imposing expectations on others. This is a lesson that can feel like a gut punch. The training video expands with more examples. The idea is that we need to decide how we want to show up in this world. “I am a person who….” You fill in the blank. “I am a person who values other people’s time, who appreciates clear communication, who cares about good health, who is prompt, etc. You decide who you are. We tread into difficult territory when we want to impose the same expectations on others. Of course, if you manage a workplace or are a family member in a household, we have expectations for behavior and responsibility for others. But we often expand those expectations into how we want others to act, or respond, in accordance to our own standards. We can reduce stress in life by showing up as our best selves and let others be them.

Recommended Read: The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts by Kimberly Snyder I have been enjoying this book, which is a study of how we align our brain and our heart to make decisions together. The goal is to have a more peaceful existence with less stress, worry, or even chronic pain.