"It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor." -Marcus Tullius Cicero
When discussing this week's theme of exercise, I became excited because working out is one of my passions. Before I started my job here at Simple Truths, I sold gym memberships at a major health club chain. I went into the job with the assumption that I would be selling memberships just like I had sold other products in the past. So, that's why I was so surprised when I was started talking with folks who were interested in joining the gym. To them, I was offering much more than a card to get in a building... I was offering a way for them to improve how they felt. Folks who suffered from diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other issues came into my office and opened up about the pain they felt in relation to their illness and their deep desire to do something about it. I also met athletes who were working toward mastery of their physical art, and needed a place equipped to take them there. Though I met many people while working, there were a handful that really stuck with it and transformed their lives through that gym...they were my inspiration for working!
Now, it wasn't my job to simply "get the sale". It was my responsibility to help people know why they were coming, and how they were going to accomplish what they wanted to do! Today, I'd like to share a few questions that I asked everyone I met. Basic questions, but perfect for getting to the heart of the matter. I invite you to think through these:
1. What do you want to do?
What are your goals? How can you measure them? When do you want to accomplish them by?
2. How are you going to complete your goals?
What do you enjoy doing? What times are you going to exercise? Do you need a workout partner, or do you do better on your own?
3. Why are your goals important to you?
How long have you been thinking about working out? What changes have made you decide to work out?
You wouldn't imagine some of the answers I heard from those three simple questions. Their answers helped me understand so much of where someone was coming from... and exactly how I could help them.
So, what are some of your fitness goals? What motivates you? What events have caused you to step back and think, "I really need to make a change in my life"?