We teach our clients and athletes to approach each season or each year with a goal. Yet we seldom set goals (personal or professional) ourselves and look back with regret when we realize we could have done better. Just like the seasonal exerciser / dieter, we becomer seasonal entreprenuers. Only, instead of fad diets or trendy exercises, we settle for logging more clients, more hours, more numbers.

Some of the strongest personal, as well as business, relationships I have developed over the years have been with people who have taken me under their wings and taught me about their business philosophies, their practices and their techniques in general. Often, they have become mentors. Greg Brittenham, the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the New York Knicks for the past 16 years always emphasizes that it is the sharing of ideas and training philosophies that elevate strength coaches to becoming great strength training professionals in the industry. Whenever he speaks, he promises those listening that by the end of the day he too will have learned something from them through their interaction. Just like building a base for your client and your athlete to grow from, we need to simarlarly build up our bases of knowledge and learn how to do what we do better or more efficiently.

First ask yourself, who are the professionals I want to emmulate and learn the most from and find them. Will they be speaking at a conference or seminar this year? Do they have material you can read or watch or listen to? Are they accessible? You would be surprised how many professionals are willing to take time to lend support to a colleague who is truly willing to listen and learn. People love to feel that they have had an influence on another person. This person can be a trusted and loyal advisor--sharing knowledge and skills, and helping you advance in your career.

Second, define the areas you know you need improvement in as a coach or trainer. Then, practice advancing in those areas. Become well rounded. That is not to stay current in the area you already excel in, but if you continue to do what you do, you continue to get what you got. Leaders are readers, so stock up on books on how to prepare for a 5k or marathon and work towards branching out into a new market. Pick a sport or activity that interests you, learn it yourself so that you can then prepare others to achieve success as well.

Plan out your training. Not plan out your training for each client (although DO THAT!), but rather plan out how you want to train yourself, both physically and professionally. Identify what you want to achieve for this year and design a program for yourself to accomplish it. Then figure out a reward system. Take up road biking, or hiking (maybe hit the Appelachian Trail!) or an extreme sport. Then reward yourself at the end once you accomplished your goals. Also, search out conferences and seminars that cover topics you want to learn more about (A weekend conference in D.C. or Orlando would be a great reward !!). You may have to venture out into non-C.E.U. territory, but “membership has its priviledges”. Meaning, take an extra acceptable on-line course to cover your C.E.U.’s but you may have to sacrifice credit for knowledge depending on your certification’s governing board. Then, while at these events, take note of what challenges your philosophies and decide if you need to change your thinking, or if what was presented only solidified in your mind why you teach what you teach.

Finally, make two or three connections at each event. Just because they are in the audience with you and not up on stage or in the program does not mean you can’t learn a lot from the people in the seats surrounding you. Listen to who they are, what they do, and how they do it. You may be surprised as to who you are sitting with. They may be one of the future featured speakers at the first conference or seminar you hold. They may have stumbled upon a gold mine of information or profits that just might elevate you, your training, or your business to the next level.

So start out the year the same way you start out your clients, with planning. Plan for success and plan for advancement.