You're always being watched

                                                                

I've been milling this one over for a bit, as I don't want to upset anyone, but it has to be said.

In my industry, there are tons of people labelled as professionals. I have no issue with that, just act like one.

I have lost it more than a couple times myself, and I admit this. It has been immaturity on my part, especially for when I have been getting a feeling for the coaching aspect of this career/profession.

My clients, especially the ones who have been with me for a while, know my style of coaching and know how to take a lot of my responses. Sometimes they are confused as abrasive, or "being a jerk" or something that is out of the context I am trying to get at.

I almost always make sure now that people understand where I'm coming from. It's harder online/through blogs because some of you haven't met me let alone don't know my tone.

What I'm referring to (the title, you're always being watched) goes deeper than this.

I, myself, am a Nutrition and Fitness Coach. I have labelled myself as such. I do have other things I like to do in life, absolutely.

However,

Clients need their coach/trainer to be the pinacle of Fitness and nutrition. They need to see you dressed properly (especially while in the gym) and giving every single person top notch coaching.
Would you like it if you wandered into a Doctor's office and it was dirty everywhere?
How about a dentist that while working on your teeth was scarfing down a hamburger ?
Why then is it okay to be a sloppy trainer?

My opinion is: It isn't.

As I have addressed before I do have a life, and what I choose to do in my own time is exactly that: mine.

However,

You're always being watched. At the Mall. At the grocery store. At the Theatre. everywhere.

In my younger days I did not think about this ONE LICK.

It makes a lot more sense now since I have had some great talks with other business professionals and professionals in my field.

It's also not the clients you're with aka. the people who have already hired you.
It's the clients you DON'T have.
I've gotten caught up in telling a joke or something before, and probably said it too loud. My client would have enjoyed it or laughed, but it's the person on treadmill behind me, the potential client, who is now formulating an opinion of me.
Maybe they were interested in training.
Maybe they wanted to see what trainers were like.
Maybe their view just went down on me in particular.

See what I'm getting at?

I am by NO MEANS perfect, but I have been re-evaluating time and time again on my poise, posture, and just all around how I conduct myself in general, ESPECIALLY in my work area (the Gym, PROUDLY Bent Iron Gym :))

So, to trainers in particular,

Maybe it's time to conduct yourself in a higher fashion.
When you said you were going to get back to the client/potential client, do it. would you want to wait around for a call?
Would you want someone to be telling you a joke in between sets? maybe, maybe not. Ask the client.
Are you talking too much about yourself? Maybe. Maybe not.

Get constructive criticism, not only from clients but other gym members. Introduce yourself and old yourself high in this position.

Be one of the "good ones"