In a recent Revolution Report email we shared our 7 Behaviors of High Performers. If you missed it, you can read what those behaviors are below.
It seems like a natural follow-on to share tips for how you, as a business owner, can work on those behaviors.
How do you work on and develop these behaviors, so that you can improve how you think and act like a business owner? Through habits.
Habit formation is the process by which behaviors become automatic.
So we took the topic to our team of certified Fitness Business Coaches and asked them for their insights. Here are the questions:
What habits do you see in the High Performing Fitness Business Owners you work with that contribute to their successful behaviors?
How do they cultivate and stick to those habits?
But first, here are the 7 Behaviors of High Performers we mentioned above.
#1: THEY MEET THEIR COMMITMENTS
On anything from making payments on time to giving and keeping their word, they recognize the importance of a commitment. They keep commitments BOTH to others and to themselves. If life gets in the way, like it does for all of us, a high performer owns it and works to make it right. It’s no accident that high performers are known for their dependability.
#2: THEY ARE OPEN TO FEEDBACK
A high performer wants to know how they are doing. Whether it’s feedback from metrics, their coach, their team or their customers, they thrive on receiving information that will help them improve. They are not satisfied with attaboys or echo chambers. This one is of the single biggest factors that separates high performers from the rest. And it requires a good look in the mirror to know if you’re really open to feedback, or if you just say you are.
#3: THEY ARE LIFELONG LEARNERS
High performers are learners down to their core. It never shuts off with them. They may not even realize how much they are absorbing from everything that’s going on around them–but they recognize the importance of always learning. In addition, a high performer looks for the learning opportunity every time they make a mistake (because everyone does), so that they don’t repeat it.
#4: THEY ARE UP TO THE CHALLENGE
If you put a high performer among peers, they are going to respond by upping their game. They become more focused, more diligent and more responsive. And they are ALWAYS looking for ways to be around people who can make them better. They do not strive to be the smartest person in the room.
#5: THEY ACKNOWLEDGE ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR HEALTH
This does NOT mean that they are always at peak levels. This means that they know that being a high performer means working on having a balanced approach. They attend to their physical health, their mental health and foster important relationships in their life. They do the important things that are needed to nurture and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
#6: THEY RESPECT THE NEEDS OF THEIR BUSINESS
They don’t let a weakness of theirs become a neglected area of the business. High performers know that it has to be done somehow, and they make sure that it is. This may mean they level up so they can do it themselves, or they find a way to get it done. But it doesn’t get ignored.
#7: THEY MAKE DECISIONS WITH THE LONG AND SHORT TERM IN MIND
A high performer doesn’t lose sight of the big picture. They don’t make knee jerk reactions that will just make a ‘now’ problem go away. They assess the situation and do what’s best both now and in the future. That doesn’t mean they are always right–it means they are always working to align the short-term with the long-term.
Kelly: There are definitely patterns that I have seen in the habits of High Performers.
One of the first, and in my opinion one of the most important habits, is that they reflect. The way that we teach our Coaching Partners to reflect is to commit to their weekly check-in. It’s more than just another thing we ask you to do and it serves a greater purpose than what it is at face value: an open channel of communication with your coach and visibility into your business. The information you provide in a check-in is information that you gather as you reflect.
Having to check in makes you take the time to reflect on what has happened the past week. What went well? What are your numbers? What is your progress to goal on your rocks and are you stuck or not making progress? Reflection is taking the time to see where you’re at and what you’re doing and then using this information to move closer to where you really want to be.
High Performing Fitness Business Owners reflect regularly and do so over different time periods, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. Another habit of High Performers is that they read.
Readers are leaders. Reading expands your awareness, helps you think about things differently and helps you learn.
And the third habit I see over and over in High Performers is that they say no. I’m sure at some point you’ve come across this quote by Warren Buffet: “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” Being willing and able to say no to things they shouldn’t be spending their time on, that aren’t serving them, and that aren’t moving them closer to their goals is how High Performers stay focused and get the important things done.
Asa: First off, be honest with yourself. Let’s talk real a minute…we all know that owning a business and running a team is not always “rainbows and butterflies”. This shit is hard, and sometimes it sucks, lol. There are some days you just want to say screw it and put your head in the sand. I get it.
But how do you handle it when shit gets tough. High performers are aware that as a business owner there are ever evolving peaks and valleys throughout their journey. They are expecting the unexpected and preparing for the future and the unknown. Building an infrastructure within their business with focus, discipline, and determination in mind.
Not only are high performers honest with themselves, but more importantly they accept critical honesty from others. Being willing and able to accept radical candor, at times, allows the high performer to break through their preconceived biases and really make progress.
Consider if you have someone in your life who is willing to challenge you in this way? Have you fostered a culture of transparency with your team? Do they really tell you as “boss” what struggles they have or progress they are making? If not, a good starting point is to ensure you create a consistent cadence of meetings and communication with your team. Have a team member facilitate and ask your team questions, gather information, versus telling them what they need to do and when they need to do it.
Being open to being challenged and learning something new *even if that means swallowing your pride* are attributes of a high performer.
Pamela: The biggest attribute is starting small and expanding once habits are set. Essentially, they aren’t trying to do it all and over commit.
Habits such as marketing activities, weekly meetings, and reviewing finances (just to name a few) are items on their priority tracker that get moved into their weekly calendar. They treat the foundational habits/items as firm appointments that can’t get rescheduled. I’ve even seen some be so committed that they don’t replace or exchange time on their calendar. The consistency of knowing what gets done by when is very important to them and aids in structuring their work week.
Another place I see High Performing Business Owners excelling is when they make decisions based on feedback. This isn’t necessarily spoken feedback, although I’ve seen that as well. In the case of metrics, it’s more than just gathering the numbers and entering them into their Campus Performance Dashboard. They look at history and set goals to meet that moves them into a growth for the business. They adjust ad spend and marketing activities accordingly based on lead performance and ultimately CO conversions. Just to name a few.
They are also asking themselves how they can get better. Personal and professional development is a part of this but the detail comes in looking inward to systems of their business and their service deliverable to see if it can be done differently, more efficiently, or better.
In general they are committed to their role(s) within their position(s) and don’t expect less from themselves because they are the owner.
Chris: When it comes to High Performing Fitness Business Owners, I’ve observed some key habits that set them apart.
The first habit that strikes me is their commitment to introspection. They routinely take time out of their busy schedules to pause, reflect, and assess their progress. They do this on various timescales – daily, weekly, monthly, even yearly. This habit of self-reflection helps them understand their strengths and weaknesses, learn from their experiences, and chart out the best path forward.
Another habit that’s hard to miss is their dedication to mental strength. Business ownership is tough, no sugarcoating it. High Performers are acutely aware of this and prioritize building mental resilience. They embrace practices such as meditation and mindfulness, exercise regularly, and ensure they get ample rest. They understand that a sound mind is crucial for sound decision-making.
Lastly, they have a keen understanding of the importance of balance in life. It’s not all work for them. They make time for relaxation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. They know that a well-rounded lifestyle is key to sustained high performance.
Grant: In my experience coaching High Performing Fitness Business Owners, a few habits consistently stand out.
Firstly, they’re planners by nature. They don’t leave things to chance. They chart out their goals in detail, breaking them down into manageable tasks. They know what they need to do today, this week, this month, and even this year to move closer to their objectives.
Secondly, they’re keen learners. They read extensively, not just about their industry, but about a wide range of topics. They understand that varied knowledge can lead to creative solutions and innovative ideas. They cherish the wisdom that books offer, and they invest time in reading regularly.
Thirdly, they’re adept delegators. They don’t try to do everything themselves. Instead, they build competent teams and entrust them with responsibilities. They understand that delegation is not abdication. They remain involved and provide guidance, but they allow their team members to make decisions and learn from their experiences.
To cultivate these habits, they start small and keep it consistent. They understand that meaningful change takes time, and they’re patient with themselves. They know the value of small, consistent actions, and they prioritize these over occasional bursts of effort. They’re always working, always learning, always improving. That’s what makes them High Performers.
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Similar Coaches’ Corner topics:
- How Can I Be A Better Leader In My Fitness Business?
- What Should a Gym Owner Delegate?
- How do Gym Owners Recognize, Deal With, and Prevent Fatigue and Burnout?
- What Happens When Gym Owners Let Emotions Guide Decisions?
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Our certified Fitness Business Coaches help fitness business owners like you achieve their potential and overcome roadblocks every day. Check out our Ask a certified Fitness Business Coach Guide to see more articles and guidance just like this.
