Fit For Life: This Hurt!

Fit For Life: This Hurt!

 

Sometimes, the truth hurts.

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We consider ourselves a feedback culture at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp.

Every year, I send out a feedback survey to our members so we can grow as a team.

 

When we get responses, we try our best, within reason, to accommodate our members' requests. I still have the old-school mentality that clients' opinions matter, and we want a strong culture and community so folks feel seen and heard.

 

I recently sent out a feedback survey to my team so I could become a better leader. However, I got back some unfavorable responses that stung a little bit. If you have been to Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, you know I lean heavily on my team but am also hard on them to uphold our standards and be a world-class facility.

 

I love them like family and invest a lot of time, energy, and money in them so they have the tools necessary to succeed not only at work but in life in general.

 

We live and operate by our core values that hang on the wall for us to see every day, and they go like this:

 

•We are Growth-minded and grateful, which means we never stop learning and trying to improve. We also realize that it's the members that fuel the operation and to be grateful for every one of them.

 

• Solution-focused to solve problems, which means exactly what it says. It's easy to find problems, but don't come to me unless you have tried to figure out a solution first, as all problems have a solution if you look hard enough.

 

•We will deliver value and drive change: This means that we change and save lives, and although we aren't the cheapest facility around, the value outweighs the cost. We want to create such an amazing experience that price isn't a factor, considering what we deliver and the results we help people achieve. We have the most important job in the world.

 

With all that being said, a few statements in their surveys bothered me enough that I am working on myself to become a better leader. One was, "Do I lead by example, or do I just point and give orders?" Another was, "Am I approachable enough that you can come to me with concerns?" Both had comments that made me more self-aware.

 

I handed out these surveys while going through some unfavorable personal issues, and I wasn't in a good place. I was snappy and a little critical of a couple team members, and they let me know about it. We have a rule that regardless of personal issues, we don't bring them to work.

 

We hang our shit at the door and discuss openly in private. We do this to keep a positive and uplifting atmosphere where everyone can enjoy their time here without being bombarded with someone else's problems.

 

I knew this rule and was consciously trying hard to abide by it, but I unknowingly failed to uphold it and lead by example. It was a rude awakening, and I am glad it was brought to my attention so I could be better in the future. This morphed into me not being approachable because I was on edge and not showing up as my best self.

 

The point I am trying to make here and how it can apply to you and make you better (my purpose and mission) is to ask for feedback, take it, grow from it, and not get defensive when it's given to you. Even if you disagree with it, it's not our place to judge or invalidate someone else's feelings or opinions. In other words, you need to have thick skin and be willing to accept constructive criticism.

 

I want a culture where folks love to come to work but know we have a mission and purpose. It can be their happy place, but it's a business. Nobody can eat unless we focus on some of the fundamentals that keep the needle moving forward, and we generate the income needed to thrive. We are all hungry for growth, and this is essential.

 

Now, here's some hard feedback that you didn't ask for directly, but you are reading my article, so you will get some indirectly. Be honest with yourself, and if it applies to you, then take it and either make changes or stay in your current situation. You can ask others for their opinions or do a self-assessment. Either way, be honest with yourself.

 

If you are unhealthy, out of shape, and sick all the time, it means you are not doing the required work to change your situation. You most likely overeat the wrong foods, don't exercise enough, are not hydrated, and don't get the required amount of sleep. Do a self-assessment, and if you fall short in any of these areas, make the changes required, or you will stay unfit and unhealthy.

 

You don't have enough time in your day. Look at your phone and determine how much screen time you spend daily. According to a Google search, most Americans spend 2 hours and 24 minutes mindlessly scrolling social media daily.

 

Multiply that by 7, and it's a whopping 16.8 hours per week. That's two days per week that you could use to apply to something constructive in your life, like improving your health, spending time with people you care about, or making more money. Eliminate some stress in your life, and put the phone away!!

 

Feedback is essential when things are going wrong or when you are not accomplishing the goals you set for yourself. When everything is falling into place and there are no friction points in your life (which is hardly ever), then not much feedback is required. However, when you hit a roadblock, feedback is necessary to uncover any hidden issues you may have missed.

 

I have several coaches I can turn to that will give me raw and honest feedback. Tell me what I need to hear, NOT what you think I want to hear. This is how we grow and get better.

 

Final words: Feedback hurts, especially when you think you are on point. However, if we aren't willing to receive honest, brutal feedback, the chances of growth are few and far between. I always say, "Tell me what I am doing wrong so I can improve." I don't need to be told what I am doing right; the data will tell me that.

 

Let's improve together,

Coach Matt