Seriously, you’re NOT worth it. I’m talking directly to you. If you were, you’d already be taking massive action in taking care of yourself. You’d stop eating shitty foods that leave you feeling bloated and tired. You’d get off your butt and exercise today, instead of tomorrow (because as we know, tomorrow never comes). You’d stop spending money on things that don’t matter (the new cottage, boat, car, video game, etc) and start spending money on what gives your life permanent value (your health in the form of proper nutrition, exercise and well being). Oh, this doesn’t apply to you? Then full apologies. But ask yourself this: how much do you really value yourself?
You see, I used to think when I started personal training that when people objected to the cost of training it was because they were unsure. They were unsure that the price of training was worth what they’d get in return. Would they see results? Would it work for them? Could they get it for less elsewhere? There was a million possible reasons in their mind why NOT to get training. I used to think that.
I used to think that when price was the issue for someone, it wasn’t what the cost of the product was that deterred them; it was the value they placed in it. In other words, they don’t believe that the product is worth the amount being charged to them. If they saw the value, they’d definitely buy it. Now, I don’t think so. You see, I think the real objection isn’t the value they see in the training, but the value that they see in themselves. They actually don’t think they are worth that amount! Shocking but true.
A perfect example is an experience a colleague had training a client. This individual had wanted to transform their body for a long long time. In fact, they confessed to a friend in tears how much pain they felt at being overweight. They couldn’t bear it any longer! The friend, seeing their friend’s agony, recommended a top personal trainer (someone known for proven results).
This individual was well within the means of affording training; penthouse apartment, new Porsche, $50,000 in apartment renovations and $15,000 on a walker… for her dog. However when it came time to get committed to their body, see results from a trainer with a proven track record, they balked at the price. This trainer charged the average price of training, a cost that for her to see results would be a fraction of her dog walker! But she refused. She refused because she didn’t find herself worth it. She said she knew she’d lose the weight, but it wasn’t the right investment for her. You might think she went out the next day and tried to find another trainer for less, or maybe buy one of those fad work out DVDs. Nope. One year later, she is now more overweight than ever. She is going to get in shape “one of these days”.
Another more real example of our lack of self worth is with doctors. How many of us will complain and shake their fists at the Gods, spend three hours on the phone and raise trouble when their phone bill is wrong? Most of us (I confess I did exactly this). We’ll do a lot of research on what is the best service plan and company to sign a phone contract, but when it comes time to find a good doctor, the very person responsible for our health? Five minutes, max. We go with whoever is available! This individual might be responsible for the future of our well being! They can make crucial decisions that will extend or shorten our life permanently, but once again, we don’t invest the time in it.
What is it that leads us to believe we’re not worth it? Why would we spend a lot of money on useless things but hesitate to spend anything on ourselves? I think a big problem is that our perception of what is truly important today has become completely off. We seek immediate material base gratification (DQ Blizzards, anyone?) and give up in exchange real, permanent life changing improvements. Instead of looking at the long term benefits of a healthy lifestyle (such as reduced risk of injuries, increased strength, improved flexibility, more energy, vitality, contentment-and looking better naked!), we do what can immediately make us “happy”. Instead of seeking outward satisfaction, we should turn inward and improve ourselves.
Now, I have to get off my high horse myself; I’m just as guilty as everyone else. I’m much more likely to spend my money on a new gadget rather than on a food intolerance test! At the same time, from personally helping to improve lives, I can see the long term benefits that my clients have seen from training, and it serves as a constant reminder to me that it is in fact worth it.
How Much are you Worth?
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