What does the language, “my client has to want it more than I do” mean to you?
I’ve browsed some of the posts here and I’ve seen the language “My client has to want it more than I do,” used in a few of the posts. What does this mean, specifically? Why do you use this phrase in particular? It seems to refer to motivation — my client has to be motivated. Do you feel it’s a situation you get trapped in if your client is unmotivated? I think it’s a curious way of saying something and I’d like to understand the concept that this phrase describes. Thanks!
Is this part of client selection? Would you reject a client who doesn’t “want it” enough? How do you as a personal trainer work with a client’s (possibly fluctuating) levels of motivation and commitment to their program and goals?
A trainer cannot manufacture motivation for a client. We can help them tap their own motivations. We can help them restructure their personal beliefs on fitness and health. We educate, guide, and support their efforts. The industry has really evolved over the years. I think some of the wording we are hearing and seeing is the result of media exposure and some of the terminology used by fitness celebrities and fitness experts. Fitness Professionals are attempting to bring these ideas to the public. In doing so, we try to phrase ideas in ways that the public can grasp or has been exposed to already. An effort to capture their attention so we can foucs their energy and thoughts more effectively.
I try to clarify motivation for my clients. In doing this I often need to rephrase, create images, tell a story, etc. When a client comes to me and says “I want …”. I reply saying things like, “If I sold what you want, would you walk in and put your money down to buy it? Well in this store effort is the only form of payment that will get you what you want.” Or, “What you want is buried deep under this gym. How much time will spend you coming in here to dig it out from under us?” This sounds like “pep talk” because it is. I ask them to tell me about times when they had to work hard to get something they “wanted”. Then I use that to help them realize that is the same thing they need to do now. The same energy they need to find now.
There is a lot more to this than I could ever put in a few paragraphs. Does it answer your question? If not, what is missing? What is it that you are still looking for? Where do you think you could look to find more answers? If you want more answers, what are you ready to do to get them? Tick tick tick! Do you get it? www.hawaiifitnessacademycom