A Successful Failure
*Before we get started…..
I was hesitant to write this article the way I have because I know that some people may mis-interpret my intentions … so I will clarify them before we begin so there is no mis-understanding.
My reason for writing about parts of my professional journey is not to impress you, but to impress upon you how possible it is for us to create ‘amazing’ if we consider, apply and embrace certain principles.
I don’t think that I’m amazing and I don’t consider myself to be particularly gifted but I do know that if I’m prepared to deal with some regular discomfort (hurdles, speed humps, setbacks, problems, challenges…..failures) then I drastically increase my chances of succeeding.
I know the more
...mind is that every gym and fitness facility has it s own unique personality and subsequently, there s a gym to match your own unique personality as well. Therefore, with a little gym shopping savvy and factors that we ll ...
By the way, failure is merely a label people give certain events.
I personally don’t use the term, but I will for the purpose of this conversation.
When I set up my first commercial business I was twenty six.
I had no real idea was I was doing.
I thought I did but looking back… I didn’t.
I knew I wanted to set up a commercial Personal Training centre.
There were none in Australia, so I had no blue-print to follow, no mentors to rely on and a whole bunch of people who (thoughtfully)
...normally become bored very quickly with anything that is 'organized' for them by their parents and so involving them in sport needs to be a normal part of family life, rather than something that is simply good for them. Taking ...
In my mind I had a picture of what I wanted to create… (the end result).
It was just all the in-between steps that I was a little grey on.
A lot grey on.
I had no idea about commercial leasing or how to communicate with, or negotiate with, real estate people.
No experience running a business.
No experience employing or managing staff.
Limited leadership experience.
No experience dealing with, or negotiating with, equipment suppliers.
No idea about business plans.
No marketing skills and no idea what ‘branding’ was.
No profile.
No tertiary qualification.
In my first year of business I asked some questions which were so stupid (to the person I was asking) that they thought I was
...various structural and internal blocks to the implementation of an exercise regime. First of all, determining a motivation that is inspiring rather than a 'should' is essential, otherwise she'd just end up resisting the exercise routine all the time. For ...
I was absolutely serious.
I didn’t know the most fundamental things because I had never been taught.
I was a bodybuilder who had worked in gyms.
My life (essentially) revolved around lifting heavy things, eating too much chicken, chasing girls and training my clients.
Simple.
Enjoyable.
But not great training for the would-be entrepreneur.
And not a great long-term success strategy.
When I was looking for premises for my first centre, the real-estate guy asked me what type of lease I wanted (as in the duration of the lease and options following the initial term) for the building I was about to sign up for.
I had no idea what he was talking about.
Here’s the conversation:
“So what type of lease are you after?”
“What kind are there?”
(He laughs
...at least, a book. We will just compare working out with free weights, with working out with machines. This will give you an idea of how old I am. The first gym I went to was in the basement of ...
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nup.”
“Oh.”
(Embarrassment).
It’s fair to say that I was humiliated, discouraged, criticised, ripped off, lied to and embarrassed many (I mean many) times in the first five years of owning and operating my own business.
More things didn’t work, than did.
In a similar position, I believe that many people would have said “I gave it my best shot… it didn’t work (I failed).”
I was either too stubborn, too driven or too stupid to throw in the towel.
I knew that because I wasn’t especially gifted or talented it was always going to come down to my perseverance, attitude and ability to finish things.
(The No.1 reason people don’t succeed, no matter what the endeavour, is their inability to finish
...able to get helpful advice on what equipment suits your needs. It's not very convincing when the people selling the equipment don't now any more about it than you do. 5. Customer Service and Satisfaction This is very important! The ...
In the first five years I had many lessons on what not to do in establishing, developing and maintaining a business (or any worthwhile project). Every day was a lesson in perseverance, adaptation (thinking on my feet) and humility (acknowledging my numerous shortcomings).
Here’s a brief snapshot of some of my journey over the last decade (or so!).
Again, not to impress you but to encourage you that when we apply some basic principles, even people with average skills, talent, knowledge and potential can create amazing.
Writing
Then:
Initially told myself I didn’t have the talent and that no-one would want to read what I wrote.
Wrote for quite a few obscure magazines and newspapers.
Wrote a lot and got paid nothing.
...their physiques themselves show off their capability? Or if their expertise is 'weight loss', are they so lean and fit that they deserve to be admired? Cos if they're overweight and flabby themselves, trust me - that simply shows the ...
Write every issue for several national magazines (one of which has a circulation of 200,000).
Wrote for a major newspaper for three years.
Had two books commercially published and self-published two more.
Have had hundreds of articles published.
I get paid well to write.
Media
Then:
Worked in community radio for 3 years for free.
Did my first radio interview in 1990.
Developed skills, asked lots of questions, studied the pro’s.
Hosted my first show on commercial radio in 2004 (at forty) - I was crap.
I slowly got better.
Worked on community TV in Melbourne doing a show called ‘Muscle TV’ (embarrassing I know).
Now:
Work regularly on three commercial radio stations.
Do about five to ten hours of live radio per week.
One of the stations has an average listening audience
...available, so how do you select which is right for you. There may be other benefits to some kinds of gym and home fitness equipment, exercise bikes can also strengthen and tone leg muscles for example, but cardio equipment s ...
Work regularly on national television (Network TEN).
The TV show I work on (9AM) has an average viewing audience of about 400,000.
Still learning, still asking questions.
Regularly do media interviews to comment as an industry ‘expert’.
Still make mistakes.
Still developing skills.
Still cringe when I see myself on TV.
Public speaking
Then:
Did my first public speaking gig in 1987 to twelve employees at a timber yard.
I was twenty four years old.
I spoke for fifty minutes on health, fitness and attitude.
I sucked.
A lot.
I got paid fifty dollars.
They got ripped off.
I prepared for the talk for two weeks (at least thirty hours of preparation).
I was so nervous before the talk I had to take my shirt off in the
...far too long on the same machines like treadmills, cross trainers, exercise bikes etc. They plod along at the same pace maybe reading a magazine, watching plasma screens or listening to music. Most believe that the longer they spend in ...
Subsequently did many average talks (100’s) for very little money.
Now:
I have spoken in six countries.
I do over 100 speaking engagements per year.
I am managed by one of the largest speaking agencies in Australia; ICMI.
I get paid more than fifty dollars.
My audiences are larger than twelve.
I don’t suck as much.
My business
Then:
One employee… me; janitor, book keeper, trainer, maintenance man, boy Friday.
Lots of hurdles.
Constant learning.
Annual turn-over: not much
Now:
Constant learning.
Forty-five Trainers.
Five administrative staff.
Full time PA (Kim).
Full time tech guy (Johnnie).
Over 1,600 sessions of Personal Training per week.
Have employed over 300 people since 1990.
Just opened a new gym (Gecko Kids Fitness).
Still making mistakes.
Annual turnover: More.
Academia
Then:
Majored in sandpit at school.
Focused on sport
...adequately trained, you may run the risk of injury. And if the center is not cleaned and sanitized regularly, you may be bringing home more than a buff body in terms of germs and other substances. This is why it ...
Studied a total of two hours in 13 years.
Was an academic dud.
Now:
Went back to college as a mature-age student.
Qualified as an Exercise Scientist.
University Lecturer.
Have taught in five Universities.
Call myself a ‘pracademic’.
Notable failures, stuff ups.
Solarium centre (it was the 90’s) - lost a bunch of money.
Beauty Therapy Centre (stop laughing) - made no money… maybe lost a bit.
Another PT centre (I was a partner but didn’t run it)… lost money.
Countless ideas and projects which didn’t get off the ground… or did and fell over.
Called a well-known identity the wrong name… on air!
Was talking to three hundred people in a seminar, lost my train of thought, forgot what I was saying. Oops.
And way too many more to mention in
...a solid foundation of basic strength. In late May, Sydney University announced its team for the first round of the Tooheys New Cup, the premier competition in Sydney club rugby. All of the fifteen players are past or current students ...
And now….
Every day I get up and I know that life is a gift and I have the opportunity to do something…. or nothing. I am passionate and driven because I choose to be. I know that some people will connect with my ideas and message and I know that some people will criticise my philosophies and my approach.
I’m okay with both.
I will continue to say what I believe even if it’s not popular and even if it doesn’t ’sell’.
I will not compromise my message for votes.
I will continue to learn, and continue to do what I do.
I will stay humble, I will be thankful for what I have, I will do my best to
...create a ruckus without bothering anyone, for one thing. For another thing, pick spot near a bathroom, as you will most likely want to hit the shower to cool off after a workout. Lastly, make sure that the room has ...
But now I (we) understand that failure is a crucial ingredient in the Personal Development journey.
Show me a person who’s never failed and I’ll show you a person who’s never done anything.
Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is an Australian motivational speaker, qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.
He can be heard weekly on Australian Radio SEN 1116 and GOLD FM and appears on Australian television on Network Ten’s 9AM. [http://www.craigharper.com/]Australian Motivational Speaker - Craig
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