Throughout our daily lives, our decision to do something or not do something often comes down to cost.
We often turn down something based on it costing us too much.
Many times it’s because it costs us too much money. Other times though, it could be because it costs us time or some form of emotional anguish.
For example, cost aside, I might not go do something based on the time it would take me to get there or because it’s something that would mentally drain me. If I am going to use time and money to go do something, it’s because it “fills my cup” in some way. For me, that is a trip for an Athlete Camp in Tennessee about three times per year. I’m not afraid to invest the money in it, I don’t mind the time it takes to get there and participate, and I enjoy the experience mentally.
Small backstory: I inquired about a local position that is open within an organization that I have done work for. I strongly believe I could help them, but I can’t/won’t do it for them full time because my gym and coaching service is my first priority. However, I felt I had room in my schedule to support them about 15-20 hours per week and it would be with something that I am passionate about. It would be work, but wouldn’t feel like work because I have enjoyment in doing what I do.
I sent them a proposal regarding my interest and a framework for how I could help them. I also included my salary requirements.
They turned me down. The two reasons they gave me: 1) they wanted someone full time and 2) they couldn’t meet my salary requirements.
It’s their decision and I wished them the best in their continued search for an individual that fits within their guidelines. For me personally, it was more of an “if it happens, it happens” and if it didn’t, I wasn’t going to lose sleep over it.
This story is not much unlike my experience as I meet with people who are interested in working with our gym and coaching service.
A reason many people give is cost. Sometimes, we aren’t exactly what they are looking for.
When it comes to cost, we aren’t the cheapest and we aren’t the most expensive either.
We also won’t be everything to everybody, and that’s OK.
We stand by what we are worth and how we know how to best serve people.
We also aren’t going to sell people on what they don’t need. For example, I’m not going to sell someone on working out with us 5-days per week (something I know other gyms do) when really they can get great results in even just 3 days per week. The vast majority of the results and wins you see me post or share about from our clients–they workout with us three (3) days per week. More is not always better. Similarly speaking, I’m not going to go sign up for a job or project for 40 hours per week when I can do the work in 15-20 hours.
I understand that we many not always fit someone’s budget, but for others, they see it as value because it “fills their cup” and it helps them accomplish their goals that they have long sought after and that for them makes it all worth it.
Because, here is something else to consider: while you may be turning something down for the cost, have you stopped to consider the cost of staying the same? Where you are right now, do you want to still be there next year or two years later? 5 years later? That place I applied to has been on a slow decline and continues to face battle after battle. I’m not sure they have considered the long-term cost of things getting worse or again, being in the same poor state next year at this time with the same struggles. However, what I won’t be doing is settling for less than I know I am worth because I am confident in what I know and how I can help them.
I can highlight many areas of my life where I made an investment up front, whether it be with my time, money, or mental attention, that it ultimately paid off in the long run and got me further ahead which ultimately made the sacrifice worth it.
Some additional examples as it relates to improving your health, nutrition or fitness:
- taking the time to track your food to learn more about your nutrition
- taking the time to get in a walk
- taking a few minutes to pack your lunch for work
- taking the time to make a healthier shopping list for the store
- spending the money on a Coach to have direction and clarity
All of these may cost us some time or mental energy, but they will pay dividends in the long run.
In closing, my encouragement for you: if you are going to invest in something, invest in yourself. An investment in yourself will always be worth it. Side note: don’t settle for less than you are worth.
Sincerely,
Your friend in wellness and fitness,
Coach Candice