Independent; ‘not influenced by the thought or action of others.’

Guru; ‘any person who counsels or advises‘

Now, i’m not for one minute suggesting we should all go about not listening to anyone or absorbing what other people say. All I’m asking is, are you paying a residual amount to a so called fitness guru for advice on how to run your business?

I have drawn my influence from a number of people over the years and found it’s that mix of opinion (different and dependent on who i’m talking to) that has led me to be independent.

If, let’s say, when I left the British Army to start a family and a fitness business I had begun paying a fitness guru for advice I wouldn’t be where I am now.

As far as I can see, fitness gurus make their money by doing the following:

• Entice you in with a freebie
• Give you enough information to wet your appetite
• Sting you on a residual basis to receive the ‘proper advice’

This money is a cost to your business and having this overhead is entirely unnecessary. And as you are undoubtedly building a business you can sell, this outgoing payment will come straight off your bottom line. You can’t sell this advice, it moves out of the business with you. It’s dead money.

Here are some simple steps to follow in order to create your own way of doing things without it costing you £££ –

• Check locally for free business mentoring schemes
• Have the confidence to attend local networking events in order to build relationships with other people in business locally
• Listen to everything that is said, including the advice you don’t want to listen to
• Filter out the stuff you don’t need and use the stuff you do

You have not only received business advice for free, you’ll have extended your natural network with people who are an open door to new business. On top of this you’ll have found a great way to learn about business yourself and therefore, in the long run, have no reliance on someone else’s knowledge.

It’d be great to hear your thoughts on this post.

Jon Reynolds

Founder

MFT