The Obvious Choice

This episode sees the panel look at how collaboration can help you in addition to others you work with.   The Episode: The Importance of Collaboration   There is a certain narrative in the online world around the scarcity of business and the need to look after oneself at the expense of others. We are here to tell you just how false this is and how reaching out, collaborating, and helping others can be one of the best things you can do for your business and its success. With the never-ending pool of potential clients and the multitude of other professionals doing great work, why not link in to what is happening and join the party?   In This Episode Finding the right people to connect and work with [0:15:05] Providing value to others and offering help where possible [0:20:42] The reality around the size of your potential market [0:25:28] A rising tide and the benefits of sharing ideas [0:28:02] Actionable steps for kickstarting collaboration [0:32:15] Reaching and out complimenting good work [0:38:41]   “Ten times out of ten, if you are able to communicate with peers in your industry you're going to get opportunities that you don't have otherwise.” — Ren Jones   Building a Network of Relationships A good first step in collaboration is to find people who produce content that you like. There are too many clients out there for you to work with by yourself, but you can serve more people by connecting and sharing ideas with other trainers. Through a simple practice of reaching out, you can easily build meaningful relationships over time, and these connections will push your boundaries and expand your opportunities.    Generosity and Its Benefits There is a lot to be said about how far you can get through serving and offering help to others. A generous attitude is always possible, so when you find your people it can be very easy to create a nurturing and supportive environment. We also recommend continuously thinking about how you can further extend these branches and broaden your horizons even more. So don't be afraid to reach out to those people you have identified that you like and respect.   Celebrating Others and Getting in on the Action If you want a booming business, you want to be close to the action, and where the people in your field are located. This means getting involved in groups, networks, and events. By pooling ideas with others you also improve your chances and output, and there are loads of ways to do this in real life and on social media. Don't forget to celebrate your colleagues, tell someone they are awesome today!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS  Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today the discussion focuses on the misconception that the value you offer through your service is equal to the effort you exert while providing it.   The Episode: Value is Not Measured in Effort   Sometimes we can begin to think that in order to truly provide value to clients we have to put in the most effort possible. Here at the OTA we believe this is fundamentally untrue, and that almost always, the best possible outcome is for things to just work. That means that less is often more, and the true measure of your expertise commonly lies in how simple and easy you are able to make things for the people you work with. This inner dialogue that we have with ourselves about our ability to help and provide value can be harmful and so we are here to remind you of what your clients are actually coming to you for!   In This Episode The OTA community question that sparked today's discussion [0:16:37] Glorification of 'difficult' and why it's okay to not have a problem [0:19:26] Valuing your own work and expertise first [0:26:09] Working less for higher returns [0:30:02] Examining your own feelings about your worth [0:33:39]   “Your job is to give a client what they need, when they need it. It is to optimize for the client.” — Jonathan Goodman   Giving Clients the Right Amount Simply put, online training involves more upfront effort, and less as time passes. Coaches and clients can make assumptions about the value that is on offer, but on examination, it is clear that value is not directly correlated effort. If you imagine things from your client's perspective, there is a point where giving them more, can make your service worse. You do not have to add on extra unnecessary challenges and components to their plan!   Shifting Perceptions of Expertise The online world often leads us to too much emphasis on difficulty, but it is also completely fine to not have a problem. Although part of the modern, social media-influenced psychology, this is a long-standing human tendency, where if something appears easy or quick, we possibly value it less. When paying for services, it is useful to remember that you are not only paying for the actual labor or advice, but also the expertise that has been acquired over time in order to carry out the work.    Working Less for Better Results The common experience of imposter syndrome also plays into this, and when we feel unsure of ourselves we can often feel as if we need to do more. But true expertise is being able to do things more successfully with less effort! We see that this issue is mostly about our own feelings and that if we remain focused on client outcomes and feedback, we can allay many of these doubts.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The panel breaks down how you can make your coaching business a little more fun, and how this can benefit you and your clients on multiple levels!   The Episode: Online Training Should Be Fun   Any business will have challenges and entrepreneurship is not a walk in the park. When you can bring some joy and fun into your work, whether it is the process of answering emails or the time you spend with clients, you can alleviate and mitigate much of the fatigue and stress that is to be expected. This can mean making things more in alignment with your unique personality, learning ways to lighten the mood with clients that are struggling, or just leaning into your expertise in order to feel more relaxed. Whichever ways suit you, we highly recommend making fun a priority for yourself and your clients.    In This Episode Injecting some joy into the stresses of online coaching [0:15:33] Creating an outlet to boost your energy and productivity [0:21:32] Insisting on enjoyment in your life and business [0:24:49] Reframing difficult client conversations [0:30:00] Bringing humor into your content and lightening the mood [0:34:01] Execution is everything [0:39:03] Enjoying the journey of building a business [0:42:17]   “Having the ability to interject humor when you're communicating with a client, wherever you can, is really a great way to better enjoy what you do.” — Ren Jones   The Difference that Fun Can Make Adding some levity to your work can make a big difference and make the tough times much more tolerable. Most of us know that entrepreneurship can sometimes be a lonely and tricky road to walk, so adding in some adjacent outlets and elements to your workflow can boost your energy and excitement. Remember, fun is physical and allowing space for that type of energy in your coaching can impact the results of your clients too, which should be your priority. Professionalism and fun are not mutually exclusive, you want to love the process of building a successful business!   Business Does not Have to Be So Serious There is no reason to suffer through your work, because running things as a coach can be such a creative pursuit. The idea of gamification has grown in the popular imagination in recent times, and this method for bringing the fun back into potentially arduous parts of work can be really powerful. This entails knowing yourself and what gets you going and how you can inject your personality into your work. All of these little strategies will be appreciated by those you work with, and have lasting effects on your success.   The Relationship Between Humor and Confidence Another important thing to keep in mind is that your content does not have to be completely serious. Sometimes we get confused about this, but in actual fact, usually, more expertise and confidence lead to more fun-filled content. When we present materials we have created, we should be free and easy with it, that is a good sign of the level to which you are in control of what you know. When you know your message well, you are free to adapt it and play with it, so go out and do something fun and remember, execution is everything!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

In this episode, the team break down the importance of consistency, and how to bring more of it into your online training business.   The Episode: How To Be Consistent   This episode is all about how to experience success that can be relied upon in the future, and refocussing your vision away from quick wins. There is a strong relationship between simplicity and consistency, especially in the beginning, so we recommend avoiding aiming for extremes, and unrealistic goals. What you really want to do is make it possible to keep doing what you are doing! The first step in laying the foundations is staying consistent, and then using the resultant success to build.   In This Episode  The superpower of consistency [0:13:10] Focusing on the work instead of the results [0:19:41] Creating a business that allows you to succeed [0:25:22] The majority of people give up at some point [0:27:01] Setting and then hitting the right goals [0:32:25]   “You've got to take pleasure in the work, not necessarily in the results of the work. Because the results are going to come as a result of doing the work consistently, relentlessly, while ignoring the day to day highs that happen.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Advantage of Consistency It pays to remember that consistency is actually a superpower for whatever business or project you might be working on. It is the thing that will take you to the next level, and it does not even require any talent! If you really want to separate yourself from your peers or competition, work consistently. The other thing that will happen when you work on the same things over an extended period is that you will slowly become really good at them, and can experience that success that takes time to accumulate.   Work Over Results Struggling with the day-to-day work of a business after the excitement of starting out forces many business owners to give up or drop the ball. It can get boring having to put in that time so tirelessly, so you have to find a way to stick with it through these valleys. Appreciating small wins and the people around you are two good examples of how to do this and will help you stay on track with your plans. This plan also needs to help you get away from the feeling that you are a slave to your business, and prepare you for the hiccups that are to be expected.   Simplicity and Consistency You need to be able to match what is realistic, with what you set out to do. Find a way to set realistic daily goals that can facilitate success over an extended period. The fact is that so many people give up at some point before they really reap the rewards of the early work they do. If you can just show up every day and do that realistic amount, this can be so different for you! Some days will just be about surviving, and that's okay, because if you can survive those days, some days will be about big wins!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world-leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055   Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

This episode focuses on how to manage feelings of being stuck and what to do when we find ourselves in a rut in life and business.   The Episode: What To Do When You're In A Rut   The inevitability of better and worse times in your career does not have to be an unnecessarily big problem. Through a little persistence and patience, we can ride out the tough times and will slowly experience the temporary nature of the valley we might fall into. These are lessons that are learned over time and through life, but we are here to affirm you, that some self-awareness, kindness, and faith, can make everything more manageable, even when it does not feel that way! As we have often said on the show, comparisons are almost always the enemy, and the more you can hold that thought in your mind, the easier the tricky periods will be. A slump can be kept in context if we do not spiral into a negative way that exacerbates the issue. Simple and patient action will get you through and prepare you for your next great success!   In This Episode Seeing through the plateaus and difficult periods between successes [0:16:23] Staying away from unnecessary comparisons [0:24:41] Getting accustomed to the tough times [0:30:59] The questions and doubts that can creep into the mind [0:33:21] A process to follow to break a negative cycle [0:35:48] Following your own needs with regards to routines and rest [0:38:03]   “Success comes, not in short, incremental gains, but quantum leaps.” — Jonathan Good   The Hills and Valley of Business It is a common experience to level up in life and business, and then for things to slow down. In order to keep going, we have to learn how to endure these periods, as they can trick you into feeling like a failure! One of the most foundational aspects of this is considering and examining your beliefs about success and money-making, and laying out a plan of unique goals and how to work backward from these.   Playing Your Own Game Each of us, to a certain extent, is playing a different game, and we should not be making comparisons between these sports with different goals and different rules! Ask yourself, what you really want from your life and your business, this will allow more space for your own success, and even celebrating others'. Unhealthy comparisons seem to almost be a part of human nature, but that does not mean we cannot learn better habits!   Negative Cycles and Thought Patterns The first time we go through a dip or a tough time with our business, it can be very hard and overwhelming. There is no easy answer, as we have to just stick it out, identify what is happening, and catch your thought patterns. These cycles can lead to questioning and doubts, and there are definite trigger points for this, often when we are less productive or inspired. The issue here is that the doubts and comparisons are mostly based on assumptions rather than reality, so as soon as we start making choices from a place of more awareness we can take action against any feelings of despair!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today we get into a discussion on the hard work and dedication that goes in before the needle can move in a big way for you and your business.   The Episode: How The Needle Actually Moves   This episode takes a more philosophical approach than usual as we get into the important themes of growth and success. The biggest message we want to deliver while addressing getting the needle to move is staying the course, and trying to keep some focus on the macro picture, instead of paying too much attention to the micro. It is all about doing the right thing in your business, day in and day out, essentially playing the odds in the right way. The needle does not move slowly and steadily, and you never know when you are about to strike gold, the trick to success is staying committed so that you don't quit just before you find the treasure you have been digging for!    In This Episode The lesson we should be learning from surprises [0:13:20] Putting your head down and sticking to the work [0:18:32] Harnessing a nothing-to-lose mindset [0:21:40] Your story might be different to everyone else's [0:30:29] Bearing the fruit of consistent effort and work [0:34:18]   “It's easy to zoom out on somebody else's life, and hard to zoom out on your own.” — Jonathan Goodman   Winning Through Consistent Work The events of life and business can be surprising! The truth is that we do not often experience slow and steady growth, but rather we have periods of intense growth and leveling up. It might even feel like a lot of stagnation, interspersed with a few lucky breaks. So what we really need to do is keep enough space open, by staying focused, for the five percent of the time that things go right, and make up for the other harder times.    Making the Most of Your Advantages There is a certain freedom that comes with feeling like you have nothing to lose, so that is a good energy to embody when working towards a big goal! It can come as a big surprise when your ship comes in, and the less you can focus on external stories and comparisons the more you will be able to enjoy it when it does. We recommend trying to zoom out on your life and path, even though this can be quite tough sometimes!   You Can't Predict When the Needle Will Move No one can know how and when the rewards for hard work will arrive, and it can feel daunting pouring yourself into something so unknown. But at the same time, things can change really quickly, and this is why sometimes it seems that someone comes out of nowhere and is an overnight sensation. In reality, this is almost always the result of years of work and the eventual success that comes from that!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today the discussion focuses on how online coaching assessments can be conducted in the most effective way.   The Episode: How To Assess Clients Online   We have seen, time and again, how newer coaches give too much attention to assessments with their clients. That is not to say that assessments have no utility, rather that, too much emphasis is placed on this part of a coaching plan. You do need a way to measure progress, as well as maintain an understanding and excitement around your program though, so how should you go about approaching assessments? As usual, the simplest solution seems to win: keep the assessments basic and safe, while tailored to a particular person's needs. That way, you get away from redundancy and any pitfalls around motivation and injury. If you can find suitable ways to show the progress a client is making, you will keep them interested, committed, and engaged!   In This Episode  The potential usefulness of simple assessments [0:16:51] Finding reliable ways to measure and assess online [0:22:49] Basic steps for beginners and assuming the need for this [0:26:20] Real-world assessments based on applicable measures [0:29:58]   “You really do have to favor reliability over validity.” — Jonathan Goodman   Keeping Assessments Simple and Effective The reality is that assessments do have their uses, but are not quite as important as they are sometimes made out to be. The trend also appears to be that as trainers gain more experience, they rely less and less on assessment protocols. This might be because stock processes can lead to improper conclusions, or just the lessons you learn make them less necessary. You may want to do a basic assessment around pain and discomfort when starting out with a new client, but the number one thing to keep in mind is to favor reliability while you are trying to track progress.   Parts of Assessments to Avoid When beginning a client journey, with an individual and a group, it can be quite powerful to start with the very basics, which makes the needs for assessments less pressing. Newer trainers seem to feel the need to do more assessment, which is somewhat unsurprising as they feel more compelled to exhibit so-called value. Unfortunately, this justification is not well-founded, and we recommend matching your assessment and plan more closely to a particular client's needs. You want to avoid the kinds of processes that might bring them down and stall their momentum!    The Focus of Your Client Assessments A great place to start if you are looking for assessments to do is with real-world applicability. This can be around clothes that a person wears, or an activity they do consistently, through which they may notice some progress. Your priorities should be to keep them safe, and measure progress. Avoid thinking in terms of impressing peers and even your clients, keep your eyes on the goal of serving your client before all else.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our team of experts discusses the right time to pay for advertising and the important steps that lead up to this moment.   The Episode: When To Pay For Advertising   It is a relatively common mistake for online business owners and coaches to start throwing money into advertising in order help or save their business. We are here to give you a simple message with regards to your advertising budget, spending money on advertising can add fuel to the fire, but is not a substitute for putting in the important work that starts a business. You need to get clear on your messaging and your target market before even thinking about spending on paid ads! The main idea here is that advertising can help you and your business, but will not save something that is failing otherwise.   In This Episode Using the power of paid advertising correctly [0:17:28] Ads on social media can be very effective for reaching your audience [0:22:51] Alterations to online platforms and their algorithms [0:26:08] Will paying for an ad help you to connect? [0:30:05] Spending money on advertising is not the first step! [0:32:12]   “I have found, in my experience, that a lot of people seem to jump to paid advertising far earlier than they should because it is a way to avoid doing the actual hard work.” — Jonathan Goodman   Building a Strong Foundation There is definitely a place for paid advertising for many businesses, but when is it appropriate and when is it most effective? The simple answer is after you have your messaging figured out and then you can add fuel to the fire by spending some money. We have seen how ads do not work without that strong foundation, and you cannot avoid putting in the hard work and getting things in motion before throwing money at it. If you can build a small and strong customer base first, then when you spend some funds on advertising it will have a great jumping-off point!   The Efficacy of Advertising on Different Platforms The truth about social media advertising is that it can be highly effective, but can also get expensive very quickly! If that strong customer base is in place, then you are able to reach that target audience in an engaging and powerful way. Remember, the online advertising space is a highly competitive environment where you are bidding against others for digital real estate. Pouring money into ads for the sake of it is to be avoided.   Tips for Better Advertising Posts When formulating ads or posts, you need to assume that the audience has no context for your content, this will help you be more effective in your messaging. We really recommend refining your copy with free social media posts before venturing into the paid territory, so that you can make the most of your budget when you do take the step. Another important tip is to keep your language simple and approachable, in order to cast the widest net.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The team sit down to discuss the most fundamental aspects of starting an online business.   The Episode: How To Build An Online Business When You're Tech Illiterate   One of the most powerful tenets of what we teach at the Online Trainer Academy is to keep everything as simple as possible. The First Principles framework can help a lot with building a strong foundation on which you can grow, and by removing what is unnecessary you can focus more time and energy on what is! All of this can be applied to the tech side of your training business. We want you to ask yourself, 'What would it look like if this was easy?' And to also address the areas where you might be able to cut costs. This message rings true for us all, but in the beginning, when you probably do not have a lot of income, or any at all, you definitely want to focus on minimizing expenditure that is not absolutely essential. There are so many useful technologies that are available to you that you are already familiar with, from text messages and email to PayPal and beyond, so why start paying for and learning new systems, when you and your audience are already accustomed to others?    In This Episode The power of simplification and using First Principles [0:06:02] How unnecessary complexity can stifle your business [0:14:53] The basics of building an online business [0:19:40] Utilizing existent and appropriate content and platforms early on [0:26:22] Automation and technology is not always the answer [0:33:11] When to consider leveling up your tech [0:35:01]   “To login and figure out what you don't need, is often a bigger job than figuring out what you do need.” — Jonathan Goodman   Simplification and First Principles One of the best indications of a good understanding of something is the ability to keep it simple! On top of this, adding complexity to your business can hold it back, so all you need to do, especially in the beginning, is cover the important bases. For an online training business starting out this means having a way to communicate with your audience, a method of accepting payment from clients, and a program through which you can serve your people.    Shortening the Road to Execution As we have underlined before on the podcast, there is so much useful online content that can be utilized for your business. The last thing you want to do is roadblock your progress by trying to create your own videos for routines and programs, that in all likelihood won't do more for your clients. Remember, you want to be spending the least amount of time and money on this before you start actually making money. The other guiding star should be how you can make things as easy as possible for your prospective clients.   The Downside of Automation Starting an online business will mean that you have plenty of learning to do, you will be engaging with many new things, and so you do not want to compound this by opting into unnecessary technologies and platforms. We have seen how automation and technology that is aimed at convenience can actually add barriers, so be wary of this! Automation works when it works, but can also be a pain to get familiar with.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today the panel of experts talk about the important process of execution and how to turn training into a business.   The Episode: How To Execute   Education and learning are important parts of becoming an online trainer, but none of the steps that happen before execution mean anything if you cannot put your plans into motion. Taking the steps towards executing will teach you more than any course, and will push things forward in ways that nothing else can. We understand that this can be the most difficult and scary step to take, it is a challenge for all of us! No matter what stage of your online business you are currently in, confronting these hurdles is a common experience, and is so necessary to move forward. We want to send you the message to take the leap, holding back will hold you back! There are always rewards from giving something a try and pushing up against your doubts and fears.   In This Episode The post that motivated today's discussion on the question of execution [0:15:39] Components of successful execution [0:20:20] Common fears that we all hold about external judgement [0:22:01] The gift of struggling and how it enables connection [0:23:55] Trying, failing, and the courage that develops [0:26:45] Getting past imagined suffering and confronting fears [0:31:58]   “Two people often have similar goals, the person who ends up succeeding is not because their goal is different, it is because their actions are different.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Challenges of Putting Oneself Out There We all suffer from issues of comparison, imposter syndrome, and struggling to get clear on our audience. All of these factors can lead to a lack of confidence in executing our plans and reaching our goals. It is important to remember that success depends on actions and not goals and that just planning forever does not count for much. We have seen so many times how once this piece of the puzzle is understood, trainers are able to crush it! It does take time, but it will all be worth it when you can execute confidently and successfully.   Internal Pressure and External Judgement We all have fears around judgment, and taking what you have learned and shifting it into a space that is exposed can be quite scary. In these moments of doubt, it can be helpful to remember that we all mess up, fail, and make mistakes. The more you expose yourself to these conditions and discomforts, the easier it is to face them! It is possible to prove to yourself that you can do hard things and the inevitably of mistake is not something to hold you back. The more you can embrace the freedom and a certain recklessness of diving in, the faster your business will progress.   The Power of Struggle and Relatability Shifting your mindset around struggle can be such a powerful move, and when we start to view it as a gift, it is like learning a superpower. Encountering struggle allows you to connect because it makes you relatable to an audience. The people you are trying to reach are undoubtedly also struggling with certain challenges and fears, so do not undervalue this circumstance that connects them to you! It takes a lot of courage to create, and when you exercise this courage it builds on itself and you will find that your worries wane in response. So double down on that enthusiasm for trying, and keep in mind that suffering happens more in the imagination than it does in reality.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC