Today, I want to share some thoughts on why we choose to do certain tasks that keep our calendars busy each week.
The View from Collaroy Plateau
I live in Collaroy, and at the top of Collaroy Plateau, there’s a beautiful view that looks north up the coast towards Palm Beach. Yesterday, while walking my dog, I noticed a lot of people there admiring the view. What struck me as odd was that about 90% of them were in cars or sitting on bench tops, glued to their phones. These are likely people who work in a home office or cubicle and sought a change of scenery for some fresh air and sunlight. Yet, ironically, they reverted to their phones.
Watch the video or read on to find out more:
Breaking the Routine
This observation got me thinking about how, as fitness business owners, we often fall into routines. If you’ve started this year taking the same personal training clients or group classes as last year, ask yourself why. Is it the best use of your time? Or are you doing it just because it’s what you’ve always done?
Evaluating Your Tasks
If you’re ending ten-hour days feeling exhausted but haven’t signed up new members and maybe even lost a few, it’s time to reflect. Why are you choosing to do tasks like running the vacuum? Is it the best use of your time? Could you be doing something more impactful?
Making Better Choices
For example, adding a video to your website explaining what sets your gym apart or creating a Facebook ad highlighting your unique challenges can be ten times more effective than simply keeping the studio clean. Writing a well-thought-out job ad and interviewing potential staff can yield a 10 to 20 times return on investment compared to posting another routine photo of your group class.
The Importance of Being Present
The theme here is to challenge yourself. Like those people at Collaroy Plateau who went for the view but ended up on their phones, we often go through motions out of habit. Reevaluate your schedule and ask yourself if those tasks are still necessary. I did this exercise and cut out activities that weren’t important, saving about 40 minutes a day.
Adding Value to Your Content
If some tasks are crucial, like your Facebook videos, be more present. Consider what your target audience needs help with right now. Instead of a quick, poorly crafted ad, think about who you help and how you can showcase that. Share member journeys and stories to highlight what makes your gym special.
Reflect and Refocus
This week, take 30 to 60 minutes to review your weekly to-dos. Reflect on your schedule and see if you can eliminate or improve tasks. Spend more time with family or enjoy the beach instead of sticking to outdated routines.
Final Thoughts
If you’re sitting on a beautiful view in Collaroy but looking at your phone, be present. Consider what would make your content more effective. Think about your target market’s challenges and how you can add genuine value. Add captions for accessibility and repurpose content to reach a broader audience.