Thursday 20 November 2008

What I Believe...

I was thinking about beliefs yesterday for an article I'm writing.

As I was thinking, I came to the sudden realisation that for REAL success to happen for any us it is important not only to be 100% crystal clear on our own beliefs (and to live them) but to share those beliefs with others whenever and wherever we can.

After all, our success always lies in our interactions with others.

If we want more money, better health, better relationships, greater education etc we rely on others to get it and, needless to say, those who share our beliefs are those who are most likely to help up achieve our goals.

Funny though, few of us ever share our TRUE beliefs about... anything!

Sure, we write, we youtube, we blog, we Twitter, we facebook, we Myspace and do all the other 'real time sharing' stuff but, well, what are we really sharing?

We (myself included) are normally sharing 'stuff'. Links to stuff mostly.

Yet we never let people 'in' and allow them to know what we really believe.

I think this is a BIG mistake and one that, instead of creating true connection with others, keeps us separate. And separateness keeps us struggling... no if's, no but's.

Yet, how easy would it be to create a connection if you we just took the simple step of outright telling people upfront, in advance, as often as possible and in as many ways as we can what we are 'about'. What we believe.

Don't you think that would change things?

Just a little?

I think it would. In fact, I think that the transparency I'm talking about would take practically ANYONE and make them immediately more attractive, more compelling and more successful.

To put it simply, I believe that it's easier to develop what marketers call 'raving fans' if we move away from a marketing message approach and move toward a transparent 'what I believe' statement.

In fact, I'm going to prove it.

First, I'm going to tell you EXACTLY what I believe and then I'm going to challenge YOU with an idea (read the end of this post for the challenge).

So here goes.

Here's what I believe:

==> I believe that the role of a health and fitness professional is one of the most important roles on Earth and that those of us that are called toward this role are in a position to literally change the World.

==> I believe that health and fitness professionals have played the role of poor cousin to the medical community too long and that this must stop. Doctors are, in my opinion, at their most valuable during trauma, but that they have no place in the promotion of health to the general population as long as they remain dependent upon pharmaceutical interventions. To this end, health and fitness professionals need to stop taking orders from medics who, despite having HUGE budgets and a global empire to support them are failing badly. They are more educated but less qualified for this role.

==> I believe that optimal health can only be achieved with a combined approach that takes into account mind, mechanics, physiology, individual nutrition, hydration, energy management, rest, recovery, regeneration and respiration. I believe that approaches that do not take into account ALL of these areas are incomplete and, at best, will only serve to improve fitness qualities and not health.

==> I believe that there are 3 separate strands in fitness; instructors, personal trainers and coaches. The coaches are those who are already and will continue to make the biggest difference to the world. I define a coach as 'someone who helps you win'. Therefore, a coach should not be concerned with following the herd or dogmatically sticking to one approach but instead, do whatever needs to be done to help the client win. (Winning includes protecting all aspects of client health whilst accomplishing the goals they've set)

==> I believe that there is a fitness profession and a fitness industry and that they are not the same. Those in the industry are those that struggle. Those in the profession have a life of success ahead of them.


==> I believe that there is a HUGE difference between a client and a customer. A customer is one who enters into a transaction whereas a client is one who is under the care of another. This means that a coach should be caring about their clients and their goals OUTSIDE of the sessions, not just when they are paid to do so.

==> I believe it is our responsibility to be the most qualified, most experienced and most excellent coaches we can possibly be and that this means developing our incomes to levels that are as high as the market will allow. I think we serve no-one by selling our lives by the hour for minimal rates and further, that those who follow the instructions of the higher paid experts ALWAYS get better results as they tend to adhere to directions.

==> I believe that charging high fees does not involve 'selling out' and abandoning 'the public'. One can still impact upon the lives of others through clinics, articles and the sharing of information. The question to ask is "How many people around the world will listen to me whilst I'm a struggling trainer compared to when I'm a super-successful, high paid trainer?" Get more successful and you have a greater impact.

==> I believe that true success comes from living a life of passion and, more important, purpose and that those who feel a purpose to their work will always achieve more than those who simply want to earn more money.

==> I believe that money is good. Get as much as you can and spend it on things that make you feel better about yourself and your life.

==> I believe that there are 2 ways to go through life. The hard way and the smart way. The hard way involves focusing on money and crying because you don't have enough. The smart way involves focusing on service and sharing your message with those who are ready to hear it. When you do, those who like your message will pay you to hear more : )


==> I believe that what you have is a direct result of what you have given up to that point. If you don't feel you have enough then, no matter how you feel about things, you haven't given enough. Give more!

==> I believe that you cannot give what you don't have and that to try is a kind of fraud. Don't talk to others about success if you don't feel successful. Don't talk to clients about lifestyle if yours is all over the place. Don't tell people about establishing new habits if you can't establish them yourself. Don't tell people about the importance of good nutrition if yours is poor.

I could go on but I think you get my drift.

This isn't some kind of marketing message. I have no ulterior motive in sharing but to lay it out there so that others don't have to guess about me or what I believe. now you know and you can take it or leave it : )

Now, my challenge to you!

What do you think would happen if you did this on YOUR blog or in YOUR newsletter?

Do you think it would make any difference?

Do you think it would tell a better 'story' of who you are?

Do you think it would bring you closer to those who you're trying to share your message with?

If you think so, I challenge you to do exactly as I've done here. Post your beliefs and watch the ripple effect take place in your business... and your life!

Go on, I dare ya!

Dax Moy
http://www.personaltrainersucces.ning.com

P.S - Don't forget to comment here... and tell me if you'll be posting to your blog. I'd love to read it : )

33 comments:

Dave said...

Hey Dax,
You are so right in so many ways. Since had a conversation in CT about passion vs. purpose, it has totally changed the way I communicate with my clients, in person and in my newsletters. It has also forced me to think about the bigger picture and realize that what I thought I needed to focus on wasn't necessarily the case.

Thanks for reinforcing the point,
Dave Soucy
http://www.thetruthaboutdiets.com

Marc said...

Dax,

Most of what you say is so true and to the point. If we all strive to be the best Coach/PT then every person we come into contact with will be better for the experience.

Marc Kent
http://www.marc-kent.com
http://www.commandofitnesscamp.com

jamie lloyd said...

Dax bloody fantastic! excuse my language but I am a true believer in that there are too many fitness gurus sitting on or even falling off the fitness band wagon and 'trying' to be a personol trainer or a personal coach without even having any passion, belief in their true lives anyway.
To be a true believer in your business I do think you need to be passionate and practice what you preach and share that passion with as many people as you come across!

Jamie Lloyd
http://www.russiankettlebellsuk.com

Coach Angela said...

Great post Dax! The world has had enough of the experts spewing out fitness facts like robots. People want personalization and relationships with you. Transparency, honesty and truly caring for your clients is what will bring you to the next level. They don't care what you know about proprioception. They only want to know that you care about them and what is going on in their lives.

Awesome!

Angela Ramos
www.HomeschoolFitnessCoach.com/blog

Jeremy and Alissa Nelms said...

Dax, some great points to think about. I always enjoy stopping and considering where I stand, and reading another's stance(s) is always helpful for clarifying, comparing, and reflection.

Thanks,

Jeremy Nelms
No Excuses Fat Loss!

Troy Anderson said...

Dax

Excellent post, very interesting while I have other blog posts topic written this is going to move to #1 on the list.

I love the challenge

Troy M Anderson
Personal Trainer AZ

Fitness Integral said...

Hi Dax,
Great stuff. So great that this will be my inaguration blog post! I haven't started a blog with the excuse that I couldn't think of a good enough topic for a first post. You just helped me get started. No more excuses! Thanks!
Kaisa Tuominen
www.fitnessintegral.com

charord said...

Great post Dax, I love your honesty; it's refreshing & liberating. I especially agree with your point about not following the herd; I for one want to be extraordinary, not ordinary, and that means being brave enough to go my own way and not just do what everyone else is doing : )

Char

http://www.charlotteord.com
http://www.charlotteord.blogspot.com

Paul Webb said...

Hi Dax,
great post my friend & I totally agree. I think we would all be better off if we lived by our beliefs instead of others.
Does our business reflect our beliefs?
I think we all need to be a bit braver and more transparent

Paul

FitAndBusyDad said...

You speak the truth on all your points and share a lot of the same beliefs that I do about our profession...especially your points about the medical community.
I've taken you up on the challenge and know that I will piss some people off, but I'll be posting my beliefs in my blog and sending it out to my list on Monday.
thanks again, Dax.

Brett Sanders said...

Hello Dax,
I loved the post it was very inspiring! Thank you!
I took up the challenge at http://personalhealthtrainer.wordpress.com.
I hope that I provoke some thoughts from you.
Best wishes, Brett Sanders.
http://www.nutritionconditiontuition.com
http://personalhealthtrainer.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Hey Dax,

Every word you have written here makes sense, how can we set an example to the people we want to connect with, if we are not practicing what we preach? would that not make us hypocrites?

I agree with what you say, and reading it gives me confidence about my own beliefs.

Right, time to take the challenge.....

Kyle

Anonymous said...

Boss,

As always you're pushing the envelope and challenging us all to raise the bar.

Will stick my beliefs on my blog asap, i love the posts especially about the medical community.

With regards to us being a poor brother to the medical community as a diabetic who has more than a "little" experience with them i do have to agree with you.

Would be interested to ask about any ideas you have about raising our game to get the fitness profession up to a high enough standard to be recognised.

Here's to the fitness revolution and persuing your passions.

Dave

Click here to visit the web's only blog about losing fat and getting rid of your back pain

Michael Thomas said...

Great Article. One of the best I have read. Expecially the part about transparency. That is something I try to do.
Thanks,
Michael Thomas
http://www.michaelthomasonlineblog.com/members/

Jonas Forsberg said...

Dax,

Wonderful post!

I sent you an email the other day saying for me, "practice what I preach" is extremely important, so I couldn't agree more with that statement!

I have been fighting for the whole medical community issue here in Sweden. I have had players going to their "house doctor" after an injured ankle, and all they get is the recommendation to rest and a description of pain killers.

Seriously, isn't time for personal trainers, physical therapists, and naprapaths to focus on the things that include fitness and movement patterns, and then the doctors could focus on throat problems instead?

Great post Dax. I just wrote my own version of it at:

- The SwedishTrainer.com

All the best,

Jonas Forsberg
Author of Burn Fat at Home &
Founder of The Swedish Trainer

Craig said...

Brilliant Dax ! tried to follow suit ! http://craiglowe.blogspot.com/

Luka Hocevar said...

Dax,
hard to put it in words when you write something like that and as I am reading all my beliefs and thoughts start coming out. It DOES come back to purpose rather than just passion.
I will definitely write thin in my newsletter and my blogpost.

In all honesty I could write a bunch of things that I feel but I just need to sit here and let it sink in.

Luka Hocevar
www.hocevarpeformance.com

Simon Dainton said...

Great post as usual Dax! Reading it made me feel uncomfortable about questioning my own beliefs, but I guess that's the point! It makes you think.

I wrote an article for my blog asking what clients believe in, and then decided to face my own beliefs and voice them in another article.

I did my best...
http://fitstreet.blogspot.com

Fusion Fit Sharyn said...

DAX!!!

Great post. I really can't believe how fired up I just got by reading that. You are stoking a fire that needs to be ignited, well done!

I appreciate your thought process and will be taking you up on the challenge. Transparency is definitely needed in this industry, as people are tired of being used, abused and misused when it comes to their health and lack of getting results.

I have been away from my blog for a few days, but you just gave me great incentive to come back stronger than ever!

LET'S GET IT!
Sharyn

Fitness Fusion Training
http://fftrain.com

Steve said...

Another great Post Dax!

Easy to get carried away with what will the search engines pick up etc when out there posting!

Also gets me thinking about 'elevator speaches' etc and being totally polished vs being authentic - perhaps even saying what you truly feel and believe and not what you think the other person wants to hear!

Cheers
Steve
(yes i'll be playing with this and i'll make a 'beliefs' post soon - www.sussexpersonaltrainer.blogspot.com )

Austin Lawrence said...

As always Dax you are spot on.
Your timing is spooky,you posted when I was re-reading Success Principles by Jack Canfield. Chapter 2; Be Clear Why You're Here.

Too true (unfortunately) about Fitness Professionals and people who work in the fitness industry.
Far too many people clock in, do a mediocre job, clock out and go home. The same people moan about the poor pay in the industry, but are one of the reasons.

Off now to post my beliefs on my blog.

Austin Lawrence

http://bellyfatoff.blogspot.com

Michael Bach said...

Just follows on from our call for me.
Stay true to your beliefs equals more passion and a better experience for all

I'm coming to terms with doing (more of)this for myself and hope to get there v soon

Mike
http://www.thebodyplanner.com
http://www.thebodyplanner.com/blog

Christopher Warden said...

Dax,

The way you speak in this post (and the beliefs that you have are as close to being "exactly as I think" on all counts. . . with the exception of the fact that your list is a bit more thorough than mine. :) GREAT POST and way to capture the thoughts of (I'm sure) many of the COACHES that read this.

Could I "borrow" some of the beliefs you've got on your list? You've articulated so freakin' well!

Thanks for the post,

Christopher Warden
www.christopherwarden.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

What an inspiring post Dax. So many great thought provoking points. You really caused me to take a deep look inside. Share so many of your beliefs and look forward to taking your challenge. They'll be posted. I give you my word. Just as soon as I get this wordpress thing figured with my blog. I transferred my DNS off of wordpress.com server and WILL win the battle of the transfer.

Thanks for all your inspiration. You're the definition of a great mentor.

Deb Froehlich
http://greenfitcoach.com

Bryan kavanagh said...

Hey Dax,

love the message!

ah im trying to be myself but im crap at bloggin. . .need more practice :-)

done one anyway! ha

Bryan kavanagh said...

oooppps pressed return too early

http://athleticbodysystem.blogspot.com/

there we go

Thanks Dax!

Dan Grant said...

awesome...what a great post and a no-brainer idea to take action on.

great stuff Dax!

Dan Grant
http://www.operationburnfat.com

Dee Tidwell said...

Dax

I seriously think if I were to put mine down, it would sound almost exactly like yours!
That's awesome!

Thanks for being there to stir up the pot!

I'm doing my best to do the same thing in the golf fitness industry!

Dee Tidwell
www.championshipgolffitness.blogspot.com
www.championshipgolffitness.com

DaleK said...

http://www.thedietskinny.com/my-mind-is-a-buzz-saw/i-believe

I could write a book about this but I can't because I'm working on building my 12 Days List!

DavidH said...

Totally inspired me. Wrote the post and glued it to the front page of my website. Thank You So Much Dax!

http://www.my-fitness-coach-blog.com/i-believe/

I Believe

David Hoffmaster, My-Fitness-Coach

Mike T Nelson said...

Great words and passion! Keep up the great work Dax.

Rock on
Mike T Nelson

Snigdha said...

Hey Dax, a great post ... your honesty about your beliefs oozes out ! Yeah.. I totally agree on those two key points ... transparency & clarity - the prerequisites to achieve success ; and you can not sharewhat you don't have yourself !!
Actually, I was ( yeah! recently I retired voluntarily from my job after over 25 years to follow my true passions in life after ensuring certain minimum requirements life financial independence, own home, family responsibilities etc. )always sharing with my colleagues that two things mean a lot to me - no 1 - get your definitions ( read beliefs) clear ( including the definition of definition so that once defined certain things do not become so rigid that they eventually become dogma ); and no. 2 , " walk your talk" ( read credibility flowing from transparency in whatever you say & do )!!

My basic belief is " It is easy to be happy " and we all are here to be happy ... to choose to be happy. And I believe that it is possible if only we continuously try to " reconnect ourselves to the fundamentals" by reflecting,renewing and re-inventing ourselves .

Yeah-it may interest you to visit my blog http://snigdhasbouquet.blogspot.com

Ruth said...

Fantastic, really made me stop and think, particularly agree with the medical community bit. Off to post my own Beliefs at http://ruthgoodwinholisticlifestylecoach.blogspot.com