What does the ideal client look like? Someone might imagine a great athlete with all the physical traits needed to perform at the highest level in their chosen sport. Although this athlete can be a pleasure to work with, it’s my opinion that this individual may or may not be the most effective client. The ideal client has habits that give them the best opportunity for success.
*PSA- having all the following habits are not necessarily needed for success, but the more of these habits you have, the greater your potential for success. Also, like all habits, they are modifiable. If you don’t have the requisite habits, you can work to develop them.
The 5 Habits
Grit
Grit is passion and perseverance over an extended time. This is the person we imagine when we see someone practice a skill such as a musical instrument or sport, day in and day out, year after year. They fall seven times and get up eight. They are the overnight success…….after 10 years of consistent hard work.
Coachability
Coachability is a client’s ability to give control to their coach and accept feedback or criticism without being discouraged. It is also the ability to take this feedback and adopt and apply it immediately for future success. These clients want to improve quickly and will take in information like a sponge.
Growth mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that you can improve at a certain ability or capacity. Someone with a growth mindset will look at training as a small step in the direction of a future goal or skill. On the other hand, someone with a set mindset believes that skills or abilities are innate or given. The individuals with a growth mindset see training as a lifelong pursuit.
Consistency
Consistency is extremely important from a psychological standpoint. The client that can train a minimum of 2 or 3 days per week, week after week, with very few extended breaks, will see continued results without the pitfalls of detraining. From a psychological standpoint, you are building a habit that gets harder to break the longer you stay consistent.
Hard work
Of all the qualities that reap the greatest results, hard work is the corner stone to improvement. It pertains to one’s ability to push themselves each and every workout. It’s what’s required to stimulate all physiological changes. Put simply, average effort gives average results, while hard work might just give you the result you were looking for.
Having even a few of these habits will help you be successful as a client and in other areas of your life. If you work hard to modify some of the habits that you don’t quite yet have, you may be surprised what you can achieve. If you are not seeing the results you want, maybe start with developing some of these habits. Your coach will love you for it!
Coach Pardy
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