How do you remain energized so you do not experience professional burn out?
I know a lot of trainers and fitness instructors who focus on training so many clients, that they ignore their own personal need to stay healthy and excited about teaching/training. It would be great to know what other fitness professionals do to stay excited and energized about working with their clients.
I like to always make sure I block off an hour or 2 in the middle of the day that is MY time to workout and I dont let anything interupt that. I treat it as if it were an appointment with a client. If you can’t get motivated about helping your clients lose weight or achieve their goals day in and day out you might be in the wrong profession! So if you have trouble motivating yourself just thing of how excited your clients get when they get results!
I am constantly reading new articles and watching DVD’s to get new program and coaching ideas. My clients enjoy the change and I’m excited when I try something new. I also change my workout routine to include some of the challenging workouts I’ve designed for my clients. It helps me gauge the intensity of a workout and how it might be modified.
1) workout or get a massage for YOURSELF, or do something for your body once a day
2) go to group fitness classes or trainer seminars/conventions
3) get a new client! It is exciting and new to meet new clients… one new face a month (even for a few meetings or a referral, if it’s not a long-term client)
Variety!!!! Variety with your training modalities and with your actual job! I’ve been in the industry for over 26 years and the only way I avoid burnout is to work in different environments and remember that variety is the key with my clients as well as with my schedule. I schedule my own time every morning for an hour. This is usually my workout time but I know its the time I can de-stress and not have to talk to anyone.
Continuing education through networking, conferences and other types of education will help keep you motivated and also continue to give you new ideas. Give your clients, job and schedule variety regularly and never stop learning!