One quality seems to separate winners from everyone else. It is definitely not brains, and luck only shows up every now and then. The basic quality of winners is PERSISTENCE. Michael Phelps, winner of eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics, commented on TV that he had not had a day off from practice in five years. He said some of the best swimmers work six days a week. Phelps’ persistence gave him an extra 52 days a year of practice for five years!
All the research on trying to understand what talent is, turns up empty handed. Researchers have found that what works is practice. The more you practice the better you get. Tiger Woods practiced golf with his dad regularly from a very young age. By the time he won his first big tournament, he had earned 10,000 hours of practice. That same 10,000 hour mark shows up with the best surgeons and musicians. This can apply to the best business leaders also. And persistence is critical to STAY THE COURSE during these times.
Napoleon Hill, in his classic book “Think and Grow Rich,” states that persistence is a state of mind — therefore it can be cultivated. Here is how, in his own words:
There are four simple steps which lead to the habit of persistence. They call for no great amount of intelligence, no particular amount of education, and but little time or effort. The necessary steps are:
1. A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfillment.
2. A definite plan, expressed in continuous action, and experimentation to find what works.
3. A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends, acquaintances, staff and members.
4. A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.
STAYING THE COURSE — THE NINE FACTORS
Here is a summary of the nine factors that will lead to success in 2013. Score yourself 1-10 on each of them. Then, fold them into your plan for 2013. Ideally you should have started the year with all of them in place. Realistically, you will have to add a few of them at a time. But get going, now!
1. A strong, proactive marketing program.
2. A well developed sales training program.
3. A well developed sales management system.
4. A habit of regularly reviewing all costs and driving them down about 5 percent a year.
5. A team to explore and add new, non-dues revenue sources and aggressively manage those you have. The best clubs are over 40 percent of revenue through non dues.
6. A focused and consistent targeting and serving of the boomer market, almost run like a separate profit center.
7. Build a program specifically for fall prevention for members and non-members who are 60 and over.
8. Manage your attitudes and contribute by enabling and encouraging other staff and members to manage theirs.
9. Practice and develop persistence.
Shawn Stewart is the Operations Manager at Gainesville Health and Fitness Center. Contact him at shawns@ghfc.com.
