Last Friyay I had the pleasure of joining my buddy, and fellow fitness junkie, Andrew Patterson on Instagram Live. Andrew is starting up a podcast called “The Academy Podcast- Just Don’t Do It” - as a podcaster myself, I love the topic…talking about things NOT to do! Below is a quick recap of the three things Andrew and I talked about…

Question: what in business have you stopped doing?

Answer: “I’ve stopped worrying about how much business we have and focused my attention on how we conduct our business”.

Yes, bodies in the gym are very very important for business, HOWEVER, I always will make the argument that WHY those bodies are in your gym matters more. Focusing on how we do business points attention to system development, staff interactions, gym culture, and how many referrals we drive from business. It’s made us a PROACTIVE business rather than someone who REACTS to market change.

Question: What have you stopped doing in your coaching or training?

Answer: “I’ve stopped ‘telling’ clients/athletes/teams what or how to do something and now focus on asking questions during training sessions”

Early in 2018 after rereading ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnige, I decided to try talking less with my clients learning process.

I still ramble and sing along to whatever is on the radio, don’t get it twisted…

But seriously, I explain the exercise or rep/intensity scheme, give 1 cue that person should focus on and then let them go to town. As they perform their work, I ask follow up questions to get the client to provide feedback and I alter my questions as needed depending on the clients personality type, introverted or extroverted, etc.

Giving clients a voice empowers them, telling clients what they’re doing and what expected outcomes they should have, creates a very different learning environment in their brain, something that I want to avoid.

Question: What’s one thing you’ve stopped doing to allow you to have more time with your family?

Answer: “I’ve stopped letting my cell phone communicate with me”

I’m probably super late to the party on this one but I literally have turned off all notifications and noises my cell phone can make. I programmed my ‘favorites’ contacts to make sure they can get heard and seen, but other than that, my cell phone can no longer communicate with me. This has ensured that I can use the phone when I want to, on my time, to which I schedule time to review emails, check social media, etc.

Game changing when it comes to family time or being 1on1 with people who matter to me.

Give it a go!

I totally appreciate Andrew having me on- he asked some great questions and I look forward to his future work! If you want to reach out to Andrew, you can catch him on Instagram at @AndrewPatterson2727 or you can message him by email at AMPatterson2727@gmail.com !