It's not you it's me!

Ever had a client that is so annoying you want to strangle them? They turn up late, cancel at the last minute, keep texting to ask when their session is (2-3 times per day)? Their form is poor, they never push themselves even when you really encourage them and they never achieve their own stated goals?

Annoying aren't they? Well you could fine them or drop them and I have blogged about this before but there is another way...

Instead of trying to change them and getting stressed because you can't or gritting your teeth and mumbling whilst training them why not change YOU? Take control of you, rather than letting them make you feel like you are out-of-control.

OK – this is from the heart, I've been there and changed me. I'm small, aggressive, usually very angry and often considered 'scary' so if I can relax and roll-with-it so can you even though it might not be easy to start with, no harm in trying eh? Go on, you know you want to!

Remember that not everyone is like you and it would be a dull or very dangerous world if they were. Allow your clients to be themselves, learn what they think that they can do (not what you may know that they can do) and work with it, don't push too hard in training but by all means encourage and support.

Listen to your client, you may learn something about them that allows you to make a human connection with them and adopt your training style/approach to assist them better. They will often begin to ask you more training/diet questions this way too.

Expect the calls/texts and smile when you answer – hey, your brain does not really know the difference between a put on smile and a real one and it will lift your mood and relax you.

Be at the gym, clients house, park on time but be prepared to wait a little while – if you need to get away to another session immediately after their scheduled time tell them gently and apologise as you would if it was really your fault.

In short, I guess, love them – and you will relax and find the job easier!