Unexpected Business Skills I Learned from a Fitness Contest

Summary

The speaker shares five transformative business lessons she learned from her experience as a personal trainer and bikini competitor. She emphasizes the unfairness of life and the importance of fulfilling commitments despite personal goals. The necessity of surrounding oneself with supportive people, the realization that success is about personal growth rather than external achievements, and the understanding that actions, not thoughts, determine reality are highlighted. Lastly, she stresses the importance of clarity in goals to create momentum and progress, advocating for consistent effort over seeking immediate gratification.

Takeaways

• 💪 The importance of perseverance and commitment to personal goals, even when they conflict with other responsibilities.
• 🤔 Realizing that life isn't always fair, and success often requires going beyond what is expected to fulfill commitments to others.
• 🚫 The necessity to distance oneself from people who do not support or may hinder one's ambitions and dreams.
• 🌟 Understanding that extraordinary results are more attainable when surrounded by like-minded, ambitious individuals.
• 🏆 The realization that success is a journey of personal growth and character building, not just the achievement of a goal or outcome.
• 🎯 The power of clarity in defining goals and breaking them down into actionable daily steps to build momentum and progress.
• 🧠 Recognizing that actions and behaviors, not just thoughts, are what ultimately lead to success and the achievement of goals.
• 🤷‍♀️ The futility of expecting a significant life change from achieving a single goal or milestone, as personal growth happens incrementally.
• 🛑 The need to avoid self-deception and to confront the reality that hard work and consistent effort are required for any significant achievement.
• 🔄 The transformative effect of the process of working towards a goal on one's self-perception and confidence, rather than the outcome itself.
• 🛑 The importance of maintaining a clear plan and sticking to it, even when faced with challenges or when feeling less motivated.

Q & A

What significant change did the speaker undergo 13 years ago?

The speaker lost around 100 pounds and transitioned from being overweight to competing in fitness competitions.

Why did the speaker decide to compete in bikini competitions?

The speaker sought an ambitious goal to aim for during her weight loss journey, which would also help her career and confidence.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to her sales manager's concerns about her focus on the bikini competition?

She felt that she couldn't take on more clients due to her commitment to the competition, which was affecting her business performance.

How did the speaker's boss help her understand her responsibilities at work despite her personal goals?

The boss emphasized that her personal commitments shouldn't affect her professional responsibilities and encouraged her to manage both effectively.

What life lesson did the speaker learn about fairness from her experience in the bikini competition?

She learned that life is not always fair, and one must fulfill their commitments regardless of personal circumstances.

How did the speaker's perspective on friendships change after moving to California for her fitness career?

She realized the importance of surrounding herself with people who support her goals and don't make her feel insecure about pursuing her dreams.

What realization did the speaker have about the source of her confidence after winning the bikini competition?

She discovered that her confidence came from the process of preparing for the competition, not from winning the trophy.

What misconception did the speaker have about the relationship between thoughts and reality before her competition experience?

She believed that positive thoughts and visualization would directly lead to success, but later learned that actions and behaviors are what truly dictate outcomes.

How did the speaker apply the lessons from her bikini competition to her business endeavors?

She used the clarity of goals, the importance of the process over the outcome, and the understanding that actions are more important than thoughts to drive her business success.

What advice does the speaker give about the role of self-care in achieving long-term goals?

She advises against using self-care as an excuse to avoid the sacrifices needed to achieve goals, emphasizing that keeping commitments to oneself is more fulfilling.

How did the speaker's approach to goal setting and daily actions contribute to her success in both fitness and business?

She broke down her long-term goals into daily actionable steps, ensuring clarity and consistency, which built momentum and led to progress and success.