Love to Learn? Read This First

I love learning. A lot. My thirst for knowledge seems to know no bounds.

Literally from the moment I wake up, to the moment I go to sleep, I'm obsessed with learning as much as I can.

Maybe you're the same? (most likely given all human beings on earth love learning in areas that are important to them)

Thing is, with so much to learn, and what feels like so little time, I was feeling overwhelmed.

So I decided to close the blinds and meditate for 10 minutes. It's not something I do a lot of, but was feeling particularly in the mind so I gave it a shot.

So I closed my eyes and asked the inner wisdom of my soul what I should do.

Like 'magic' a path was shown to me and I was able to extract the answer I most needed.

For me, it was all about organising and structuring the knowledge I was trying to obtain.

I love learning about human behaviour and business and marketing and emotions and history and spiritualism and so much more.

Yet if you don't have structure to your learning, it can get really overwhelming, really fast.

So here is some advice if you're feeling overwhelmed with the (self) pressure of learning:

1. Take a step back from all your resources (books, podcasts, audio books) and ask, do I really need this right now?
   1. I used to read "just in case". Just in case someone would ask me a question and I wouldn't know the answer. Wouldn't want to look like an idiot, right? Now...well, I care so much less. If I don't know, I'll say. No ego. Just honesty. It's refreshing beyond words.
2. Learn for purpose, not pleasure
   1. Learned this one directly from John Demartini who shared it with a close group of my top clients. Whenever you pick up a book or learning resource, ask: how is this going to help me fulfil what I most want to fulfil? How is this serving me? Answer until you come up with a real reason why you should either read it, or scrap it (for today).
3. Focus focus focus
   1. So often, we (and by we, I mean, I), put so much pressure on ourselves to know everything about everything. I find it much easier, to focus the attention in one specific area, learn all about it, and THEN move on to the next. You can also break this up into different parts of the day. Say in the morning, you can tackle about sales, in the afternoon you can learn about delivery. Master those, then move on to new topics.

Learning is one of the most fulfilling tasks a human being can do. Yet if you start punishing yourself when you don't live up to the unrealistic expectation you've set for yourself, it can often become a chore.

Check in with yourself and see if any of the above might help you.

I'll speak with you soon.

Hayden

Responsiblity vs Accountibility

Spent an hour with my good friend, (and sometimes coach), Kevin Roberts, on Friday. If you don't know who he is, you can listen to our podcast (i'll link below) or just google him.

In a few words...the guys a gun.

• Charges multiple five figures a day consulting. (and get's it),
• Was head honcho for the biggest idea's company in the world (Saatchi and SaatchI) for 19 years,
• Understands how to win in business better than anyone I've ever met.

At the bottom of the Park Hyatt hotel, we got talking about a lot of things, but one topic that we spoke about, was Responsibility vs. Accountability as a coach.

As a coach, often we get so wrapped up in the clients results, we find it hard to disconnect or distance ourselves from them.

That is, if they fail, we've failed. If they aren't getting the result, it's our fault.

That's backwards thinking.

And only leads to low self esteem and reduced confidence.

Here's the thing:

Our job, as coaches, is the following: - Provide the best advice we currently can (making sure to stay current and up to date) - Share the best tools and resources for change we've got in our toolbelt - Give support (and challenge) when it's needed to help the client grow

Their job as clients... - Do the work (perform the reps, eat the food, prepare the meals, rest the body) - Take full responsibility for the above - Speak up when things aren't on track (we can't read minds..!)

The shift I want you to make, (if you haven't already), is realising that you are accountable for helping the client get a result, but they're the ones who're ultimately responsible for that.

That is, as long as you're doing YOUR best, then that's what coaching is really about.

Think about the best soccer coaches in the world.

The guys who get paid MILLIONS.

They're not hired because they are the best soccer players, they're paid because they know the right stuff.

They know the plays. They know the strategy. They know where each player shines.

Put them on the field though....they'd get eaten alive.

Your job as a coach is so much less about beating yourself up over your clients mistakes (something you can't control), and so much more about learning how to help help them shine and bring out their commitment to a greater future (something you can control).

If only you spent 1/2 as much time on learning how to do that as opposed to worrying, you could really move mountains....

Remember, the best coach is rarely the best player, they just know what to do and how to get the best from those on the field.

The question is....which have you been focusing on?

ps. here's the link to that podcast where KR and I discuss this in depth also.

Words that work

In the process of writing my second book at the moment and am fascinated with language. I think thesaurus.com has had a couple of thousands views from me just this week..! Unlike my University days, it's not attempting to make words sound more complex that I'm working on at the moment, it's the opposite.

The question I'm asking: How do I make things simple, clear and precise?

Picked up a ton of lessons from former CEO and Chariman of Saatchi and Saatchi, Kevin Roberts in our recent podcast (fast forward to 30 mins to hear) that I've implemented almost immediately.

Even with my first book, I very deliberately attempted to make things sound simple for the reader (even if at the expense of my perceived IQ). Now, I'm even more so. There is such power in brevity.

Take today for example. I  had a meeting with KR where I prepared a simple one page memo. I was re-read before meeting where one paragraph said: 'Maintain a balance of the fundamentals of leadership.'

I deleted it and changed it to: 'Maintain a balance of the stuff that works.'

The memo was already about leadership and 'stuff' works better that 'fundamentals' in an informal memo between two friends. (Hell, it works best between nearly anyone).

The more concise, clear and coherent you speak with make your words, the easier it is for the recipient to hear them.

If in doubt, take a look at what famed copywriter David Ogilvy had to say on the matter:

I rest my case.

Hayden

Swimming Structures

Been a little while since I last checked in (via words) but wanted to shoot you an update.

Signed up for a swimming membership this week and have committed to going everyday for the next 60 days. Already 2 days in, I can feel the benefits and love the structure it’s providing.

As a business owner, structure is one of those (unknown) things that requires your attention.

When you work for someone else, the consequences are directly applicable to you. Don’t show up - don’t get paid. Do show up, do get paid.

Simple formula.

But when you work for yourself, you don’t get the luxury of this structure. Instead, -assume all responsible.

The biggest way I’ve found to assist with this, is by keeping set structures in place.

Having a set bed time and a set get up time is the key to this and where you can begin.

Here’s an insight into my routine:

• Bed by 10
• Wake up 4:55am
• Write daily inspiration email*
• Schedule email for 5:40am
• Read for 20 minutes
• Walk dog 🐕
• Go swimming (only just started this)*
• Record video content
• Begin real “work”

Then I just repeat and fill my day with different tasks I need to get done.

I attempt to keep everything as regulation as possible.

But what I also do, is hold myself accountable. This is why you see the * above.

I set a goal for having my daily inspiration email consistently out by 5:40am each morning. I also take an IG picture of the pool by 8:45am when I begin my laps. I also bought a membership to the pool (I am wise with my money so I will be using it each morning) to keep me on track.

These are the keys to starting a new habit. Get as much skin in the game and accountability as possible.

Then once you see the amazing benefits a consistent habit produces, you will be more and more inclined to continue.

The more I learn about structuring the day, the easier it becomes to simply get what I need to get done. ✊

Love losing money? Buy Bitcoin :)

I know it's sexy, but right now, if you 'invest' in bitcoin, you will almost certainly lose money.

Most like to label this 'investing'. However, unless you know what you're doing, it would be wiser (and more accurate) to call this 'hoping'.

Yes, you may get a 'lucky' break but smart young leaders manage their money wisely.

Money flows where it's most ordered and organised.

When you place your future in 'hope' it's almost certainly going to disappear.

If you go to the casino and play roulette, your odds are right there in front of you.

You can see them. (37-1, 18-1, 11-1 etc up to 1.05-1)

At the end of the day though, the house ALWAYS wins, and over the long term, you will lose money.

The thing is, roulette is not overly complicated.

It simply plays on the human desire to seek pleasure without pain, gain without loss.

Which is the amygdala talking....'gimme some cocaine!'

But what about bitcoin?

How do you 'win' at that?

There are so many moving parts, and MOST people have very, very little education on it.

They just heard about a friend of a friend who got in when it was worth a few hundred dollars per bitcoin.

"Now is the time before it goes up even higher!"

A LOT of vulnerable people are going to lose A LOT of money (good lessons to be learned though so all is fair).

Just like they did in the dot com boom in the late 90's/early 2000's and just like they will when the bitcoin bubble bursts.

The best idea, for all the charlatans out there, would be to create a Herbalife style Ponzi scheme where you literally 'get in on the ground level' and get people under you to invest - although I'm sure that probably already exists.

Did you ever notice how the only people really making money from bitcoin are either those who got in early and have extensively studied it, and/or those who are telling you just how lucrative an opportunity there is in it?

Surely that's a warning sign....

But if that wasn't enough, recently, while he was on tour in Australia, I had the opportunity to sit with and learn from human behavioural expert, Dr John Demartini. Among other topics, I asked him what his thoughts were on bitcoin.

This is a man with wealth very high on his values.

He has read about, spoken on and taught wealth creation for years, and is well beyond being financially free (meaning if he stopped working today, his wealth would create more than enough income for him to continue living a wealthy lifestyle).

He said he is not going to touch it.

The market is too volatile.

Wise words.

I'll stick in that boat too.

Unless you've begun to master your finances, have a financial cushion in place and have 'earned the right' to speculate with fluctuating markets (such as bitcoin or even the stock market), then you too should steer clear.

The wisest use of your money is to continue using it to fuel your growth.

As John says: I'm all about getting rich quick,  as long as it's over the long term.

Be wise with your money and you'll get more money to be wise with.

Ciao for now. Hayden

The Coaching Jigsaw

I always think of coaching, as kind of like a big jigsaw puzzle. Clients come to us, and it's our job to see how all the pieces fit together (and which are missing) to make a full picture.

Each day we learn more and more about their behaviour:

Why they do what they do. What their deeper problems are. What we can really help them with.

Each time we pick up on something new, it helps us to 'get it'.

It's like finding the right piece of the puzzle that just fits.

Once you've got it, you can really understand them further and continue to see why they do what they do.

(and once you know the real why, you can really help them create impact)

Once you get it, it's like someone finally turned on the lights.

It just makes sense.

Before that however, sometimes it's like pulling teeth.

You wonder why they're still making unhealthy food choices You wonder why they aren't doing the workouts exactly as you've written.

I mean, there is a reason you've written it the way you have....why can't they see that!

Well.....

Often it's that they simply cannot see the importance of it.

They're BLIND to it.

Which means they don't focus on it.

Instead, they focus on what they can see.

What is easy and what they know.

We all do it.

Because familiar is easy. We know familiar.

Plus it gives us a quick boost and hit of brain cocaine (dopamine).

But easy isn't what makes massive progress.

Massive progress is about finding the things that will help us get the best result possible...

And then doing them.

Our job, as coaches, (and leaders) is to highlight what the client cannot see for themselves.

To care enough to want to HELP them find their pieces of the puzzle.

There is a reason the word 'serve' transforms into 'service'.

Yet, so many trainers don't truly want to serve anyone but themselves.

They would rather check the clock, look around while training someone and waste everyone's clients time.

That, or go and do what they REALLY want to do (usually post another selfie, or watch netflix)

But I know you're different to most coaches out there.

I know you're here for three reasons: 1. You want to learn 2. You want to be inspired (by someone actually living this stuff, not just talking about it) 3. You're still working out the pieces of YOUR coaching puzzle.

Did you know YOUR life works the same way?

That your business, relationships and social life all have their very own puzzle?

Haven't you ever had that feeling of: "OH, I get it. That's where I've been going wrong"

That's you seeing another piece of the puzzle.

There are two reasons why coaches fail: 1. They don't know what they're doing 2. They're too afraid to reach out and ask for help

I've been stuck in both.

Feeling like I had no idea what I was doing was so unsettling. You can't truly do great work from a place of uncertainty

and, number two, letting my ego get in the way, or fear of judgement stop me, from asking for help.

No-one said you needed to know everything.

Or that you needed to do this alone.

We are just a few weeks away from the launch of the Coaches Growth Academy (will share a video with you soon)

It's a the most powerful resource for coaches to get everything they need to grow.

As business owners and as people problem solvers.

I am doing building this out of necessity.

I know what it feels like to be lost, confused and like no-one out there 'gets you'.

You want help, but have no idea which way to turn or where to even start.

Coaches Growth Academy is an online membership website with all the systems, structure and support you need to grow inside the business of fitness.

I ONLY want growth minded, dedicated coaches inside the academy.

This isn't for 'everyone'

Only those who are actually dedicated to grow.

The masters, not the masses.

Which means I will be staggering memberships and only letting in small groups at a time.

I learned a long time ago, the key to building a lasting (and impactful) community, is through having the right people on the bus.

It makes it more enjoyable for the you (the driver) and everyone else too (all the passengers)

If you want a sneak peak about this opportunity, reply with "Tell me more" and I will put a note in my diary to send you the video this weekend about what it is we do and how you can grow inside of this.

The future of fitness is here.

Enough games.

Let's work.

Now get out there and change some lives today.

I've got your back.

Hayden

Getting Your Power Back

Things happen in life. It's one of the biggest cliche's there are.

Take a look at this example from this morning where I got an email from my real estate agent.

I rent my beautiful apartment here in South Yarra, but this morning was advised the owner will be selling...with vacant tenancy.

I've got 60 days to sort it out, and then it's, Byebye, Hayden.

Been a loyal tenant for over 18 months now - including never being late or missing a rental payment.

Here's the reality though.

I am playing in someone else's sandpit.

I pay for the convenience of not having to fork out for maintenance, problems and permanent residency.

But on the opposite side, they can sell the property and boot you out - even if you've got a dog - with a ton of friends at the local park!

It's OK, as soon as I found out, I had about 3 minutes of victim "what about me" speak, before deciding I have options.

I got on Realestate.com.au and found 5 properties already to shoot applications too.

When things happen, you have a choice: Victim or Victor.

My good friend, Jack Canfield, has a formula for this: E + R = O. Events + responses = outcome.

The event happened (notice to vacate) + my response (start looking for new houses) and I get an outcome (get my power back).

Had it been the other way around...

Event happened (notice to vacate) + my response (cry, whine, complain, procrastinate and pretend like nothing happened) and I get a different outcome (stress, no home, no power).

Think of how the same happens in your every day life.

Facebook changes its algoithm - you either learn a new way to get traffic, or complain about the changes.

A client stops training with you - you either ask them what happened and use it as fuel to improve your service, or you cry they were a bad client and fall into a heap.

How we respond to the challenges life throws at us makes all the difference.

If you know you've been playing victim, maybe it's time to step up and step out.

A whole new world awaits....

Hayden

Talky, Talky.

I know most kids from the age of eight have phones now, but back when I was young, there were these things called 'walky talky's'.

Maybe I'm showing my age a little here, but with these things you could bascially hold down a button and speak to your friend who would have another device fifty or so meters away.

I remember I saved up money from my paper route for like 15 weeks just to get a set of these flash ones.

At the time (well before mobile phones) they were pretty high tech.

Mum told me I was wasting my money, but no boy at 12 years old has time to listen to how he should spend his money...

I was much too interested in being the next Indiana Jones.

So anyway, when my mates would come around, we'd pretend to go on a mission.

We found ourselves pretending to be in a famous movie scene from Jumanji, or hiding from the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park.

Then....after 20 minutes, it got a little boring.

Mum was right (as usual).

They were a waste of money.

Got about 2 weeks use out of them before I moved on, while they sat up in my toy box for the rest of my young adult life.

See, the problem was, without the fun stuff (the chasing, the bow and arrows, the intense scenes where we nearly fell off the cliff face), it was all just talking.

Talking, planning, preparing and 'strategising' are all fine (and can be part of the game) but eventually, you want to (and have to) pull the trigger.

Eventually, you have to let the rubber hit the road and actually DO the things you're talking about.

I'm sure you've seen it countless times before.

There's certainly no shortage of people who love to talk the talk.

The ones who can tell you everything you need to know about the length of the femur in relation to the hip extension to determine the depth of the squat and maximum velocity achievable for your body.

Then ask them to get under the bar and SHOW you and they struggle with 60kg.

They know all the theory behind the right times to eat, the types of foods to avoid and the exact chemicals to steer clear of inside of any obscure diet.

But don't know how to actually apply it to clients...because they've got none.

They are MASTERS of theory, but BEGINNERS of practice.

They've read all the books. Been to all the courses. Listened to all the podcasts.

And yet they're still broke, unable to actually perform any of the stuff they keep bragging about, and can never quite seem to get over their own roadblocks.

Instead, they're much fonder of telling YOU about yours and all the things YOU can do.

Here's the thing, DONE is better than perfect.

So many are afraid to get started (for fear of judgement) that they never get past the talking stage.

They're still stuck playing with the walky talkies like an eight year old boy.

At some point, you're just going to have to throw yourself in.

You're going to have to experience the treacherous times. Face the demons. Slay the dragons.

But that's how you LEARN.

Income follows action.

DO the stuff, get the thing. It's a pretty basic formula when you stop and think.

If you know you've been talking for too long, maybe it's time to get out there and experience the real deal.

You'll be glad you did.

Give it a shot today and let me know how you go.

Building a Brand....(basics)

Everyone wants a brand, few are willing to do what it takes to actually build one. Most are concerned with the quick fix.

Because It's sexy.

Most think they want a personal brand, but when you tell them it's a 3-year minimum, they aren't so keen.

There are three elements to building a killer personal brand: 1. Consistency. 2. Congruency. 3. Sacrifice.

1. Consistency: If you want to "be known" in 5, 10 and 15 years time, you need to DELIVER on your promise consistently.

Not just when you need to pay your taxes, but day in day out. Not just when you need leads, but also when you don't need leads. Not just you feel like it, but when you don't feel like it too.

This doesn't just go for sales and delivery either. It's EVERYTHING. Your brand is about how you speak to others - regardless of what they can offer you. What you're like without the camera on. What you do when no-one is around.

Which brings us to point 2...

2. Congruency: If you want to build a brand, but it's not WHO you are, you will fail.

If you still consider PT or coaching a 'side business' you will never make it.

Not until you JUMP.

I recently saw a business owner in a group complain he was having a hard time making sales. He mentioned he didn't have much time to make the calls, since he was promoted to his 'dream job' (his words) at work. He was struggling to get motivated to run his business on the side with these conflicting identities?

What does that tell you? Is this someone inspired to deliver their service? Is this someone passionate about helping others? That cannot wait to get up in the morning and serve?

Hmmm....

3. Sacrifice: Funnily enough, building a strong presence in the market is so much less about you, and so much more about what you can do for others.

That's the paradox most can't quite grasp.

They want to be successful, but they also want the selfies.

They can't resist the cliche pictures in front of the laptop (please).

They can't resist putting up the whole "be your own motivation" posts to show off their own bodies and gain the attention of other narcissists (desperately hoping that you'll jump on their profile and say the same).

How LONG can you hold off your own self-gratification?

How LONG can you be 'behind the scenes' on your social media and let you work do the talking?

Most attempt to 'cash in' their chips much too early.

They'd rather be in the spotlight now than wait until the spotlight is shown on them by others.

Building your brand is a slow, sometimes tedious process, but from my experience, those who take the time to build a solid foundation, don't have to continually rebuild themselves.

Hayden

p.s get more content like this directly to your inbox by signing up to my emails below.

Your Ego is Killing You

One of the biggest killers of growth, is the ego.

Unfortunately, every industry (and human being) has a certain degree of ego within.

It's just some have learned to remove the BS, and others are still stuck in their story.

When I ran the second annual "FBSA" event (Australia's largest multi-speaker event for fitness professionals to learn about business), I saw this full for the first time.

The previous year we'd sold out, every trainer (110 of them) stayed until the very last minute, and I had so much positive feedback I was sure it was going to be an instant hit the next year I created it.

When I launched, I expected at least 75% of the people who came the year before to sign back up.

I was counting on it because I'd gone and done something silly like hire a venue literally 2x the size and 6x the budget. (my ego was in the way!)

But when I put the sales page up, I got crickets.

So I messaged and spoke to a few of the previous years' attendees.

"Hey I'm running the summit again this year, you keen?", "Just wanted to give you a quick call and let you know, the summit is on again this year, would love to have you there, what you think"

It was like pulling teeth.

The main response I got: "Oh I went last year. I'm good".

It was surprising to me.

I thought, wow, in 12 months time, I'd hope not only are you a completely different person, but your business is also in a completely different position.

No-one understands the importance of removing the ego more than the world's best. When I invited my good friend, JP (Jean Pierre De Villiers) back to speak to a close group of clients, we did a Facebook LIVE beforehand.

JP had previously spoken around 9 months ago and was once again travelling from the UK to deliver the goods. (he's a professional speaker and coach around the world).

On our video, JP explained how he was pumped to be speaking again, and that it would be a completely different style of presentation, because each year, he evolves and continues to expand into a completely new level of person.

Just like a lobster breaks free of it's shell after outgrowing the last, I know the true 'growers' of the world take that same approach.

Saying things like: "Oh I'm good - I went last year" or "I don't need to read, I know that" is like when a client says to you "oh I know what I'm doing with my training and nutrition..." but they're still 10kg their goal weight and frequently binge. Things just don't add up.

What I encourage you to do, (starting today), is to remove the ego and regularly perform a 'business stocktake'.

• You may not be in a position where you're looking for the basics of starting a business like you were at one point, but now it's all about hiring your first trainer.
• You may not be looking at a system to help you with the admin management, but now it's all about going deep on your client base and finding the new referrals.

I wrote in my book Why Wait To Be Great, that one time I heard John Demartini speak mentioned he always considers himself 'under construction'. This is one of the most important lessons you can ever learn. If someone with 45+ years experience in one field can take the "Students mindset" into everything they do, surely you can too...

Something to think about ;)

Speak soon.