FOLLOWING YOUR GUT INSTINCT
Listening to Your Intuition
CLUB SOLUTIONS MAGAZINESept. 2007
We have all heard the term follow your gut. Following your instinct may have different definitions for different people. When a person first becomes alert to intuitive messages it may seem disturbing not to understand the importance or unimportance of the messages. Sometimes we just don't fully understand what these intuitive flashes mean. When people are first learning to pick up on their intuitive messages they may feel as if they are being sent off on wild goose chases. And, truthfully, I think that may be a fair evaluation. But the thing is, by following through on your everyday hunches, you are actually taking test drives, virtually honing in on your listening skills. These skills will serve you well when the bigger, more important messages need to surface, so pay attention!
These skills are invaluable in business. Keeping yourself in sound mind, body and soul can go along way in receiving and determining what these intuitive messages mean and what to do with them. We are all in the Fitness business and staying fit and promoting fitness is the single largest factor for having a sharp mind and outlook for making good decisions. It all starts with the business you chose, promoting exercise and being physically fit. You set the example for the life style and are a beacon for others to do the same. Don’t forget the reason you entered into this business and lifestyle.
Referencing the popular TV show The Biggest Loser. When it comes to Financial Services who is the biggest loser? Many times you are seeking to cut the fat. Just like the fitness mission statement, the first word in business is, you want to run a mean and lean operation. Do you really need all the services you are paying for?
Financial service companies offer several services that cater to entirely different fitness facilities. Software that is designed for a large club may not be the right fit for a smaller one. Are you paying for services you don’t want, software you don’t need. The purpose of choosing an outside company (or outsourcing) is so you can focus on your core business, interacting with new members and seeking new prospects. If you are spending time on complicated software and programs your club may never use who is the winner? In this case you are the biggest loser.
Following your gut instinct will help you decide if what you are about to pay for is actually worth your time. If the services sound too good they probably are.
"It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that's all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing is was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is wise to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better."
Look for software and services that are easy to use, don’t require a big learning curve, manuals or classes. If there is extensive training required then how was the software designed and by whom? Software programs should be self intuitive and require simple instructions for you to operate and maintain. The support staff should be available and educated on supporting you and the product. Can you access your real-time member information from anywhere, anytime, on your computer, via the Internet?
Some companies create many products to attract potential customers but only do a few of those services well. Your financial service partner will help you in your success. By removing the association of membership attendance with payment, your service partner will collect more money from your members than you probably can. They can provide you with the latest products and technology for far less than you could create these products on your own. They will free you up to concentrate on maintaining a solid membership base and a smooth running operation.
Any good partnership starts with meeting the needs and expectations of both parties and it is much better if you understand those needs and expectations up-front.
What does your intuition tell you? Most of us don’t have the time or the patience to devote an extensive amount of time to learning a complicated program. Remember your gut instinct, it has got you this far in your business and will continue to guide you if you let it. The opposite of using your gut is trying to control or make decisions and ignore that message through your intuition. . It is all good to collect facts and listen to others, but this also skews your ability to listen to your intuition or inner voice which knows better the direction you should take. . By listening to others opinions and advice you are actually forgetting what got you where you are today...
In the end we are all responsible for our own growth and success. Do your homework, collect your facts, speak with the people behind the services you are seeking and make sure the products line up with your operation. Experience the product first hand, weigh the benefits and costs.
Then sit back and let your intuition tell you what the best move is to make…
John Chalk is President & CEO of eFit Financial, located in Denver, Colorado. His company would be happy to answer any questions regarding Financial and software services and the products they offer.
Phone: (877) 772-3348.
www.efitfinancial.com - health club management software