Down the gym…

Have you ever noticed how there seems to be a particular group of people you always see down at the local gym? They’re the dedicated core who people aspire to be like and tend to use as a role model (at least physically): even if they haven’t yet achieved their specific goals, they act with purpose and everyone knows they will.

No one doubts the amount of effort required to get into shape. It’s easy to see, feel and sometimes even smell! Yet many find the end result to be worth the hard work and they’re determined to see it through.

Looking at it from the enthusiasts’ perspective; they just can’t understand why everyone else isn’t clamouring to join them. Why do people persist in activities they know to be bad for them? Don’t they know that just by changing a few habits and incorporating small, but consistent efforts they can be so much better off?

Let’s look at the typical gym statistics –

• 50% of joiners go for a couple of weeks, but then never return;

• 20% go regularly, and make very good use of the sauna, steam-rooms and the bar; Sometimes they’re even surprised when they don’t make progress;

• 20% go ‘full on’ for a few months, but then lose focus, get distracted, ignore their trainer or just ‘forget’ to go;

• 10% set themselves a target, plan out how to reach it, take advice and exercise the self-discipline required to progress slowly, but surely, to their goal.

Now, none of these are wrong, but people need to be realistic with what they expect to get back from their efforts, and don’t blame the gym for their lack of a six-pack.

While I would love to consider myself always within that 10%, truth is, I’m not. However, I doubt very many actually are – all the time. Nonetheless, I’ve tried to incorporate small practices to remind me where I want to be and alert me if I’m losing my focus. It’s like Zig Ziglar said:

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.

Okay, I’m sure this isn’t going to come as a surprise, but there is an obvious correlation between the above analogy and running a home-based business. Simply put, what you get out is directly linked to what you put in.