the state's growing, are you following suit?

Being a home grown Sand Groper from the bush you don't have to reinforce to me what is so good about our state. Recent figures quoted for the first half of 2009, when we were supposed to be in a recession, highlight to me that the word is already out about how attractive this state is to live in. 220 people a day are immigrating to WA; not a month, a day. That equates to over 40,000 people in six months who have decided to live in WA. What's my point?

The opportunities in this state for you to create sustain and grow a fitness business at the same time as creating the most self fulfilling lifestyle you could ever dream of has never been better. But with this massive growth comes some pitfalls if you aren't aware. Such as, 'how long will it be before you strike a spate of bushfires in your business which will need you to radically pour all of your efforts take your focus away from you, your lifestyle and your clients results?' Regular problems such as not having systems in place to deal with an increase in client numbers and how to effectively take their money, monitor sessions used up and keep regularly updating their programs. All of these little problems can be easily averted by looking forward and planning months in advance.

All of these problems mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. The problems will progressively overtake your business and life if you fail to plan ahead. If you are already in your own PT business (remember as soon as you take money for your services you are in business) and after reading this you can see the spot fires starting to appear, I would suggest you start taking steps to divert tragedy asap. Here's some steps I would strongly urge you to take.

1. Ensure you know what goals and outcomes you want to achieve in your own life. Your business is you initially so if you aren't right how do you expect the business to work.

2. Put rock solid foundations in place that will support you when you get challenged - as you will. The concrete pillars that fell at Rottnest Island have been reportedly found to be of poor foundational structure following this step yours ago may have saved a life. You following this step now may save your business and your own lifestyle from tragedy in years to come.

3. Get accountability in your life and if you can't do this yourself look outside and that person will appear. Someone from outside looking in can easily see dysfunction you won't be able to until disaster strikes.

The investment of time, money and self development now will pay huge dividends in the future of your fitness business but most importantly the lifestyle you deserve. Don't become a PT statistic and drop out fo the game, jump in and make a massive difference in the health and wellbeing of all West Aussies.

David Virgo