Overcome Imposter Syndrome with Continuing Education!

Sep 09, 2024

For far too many continuing education is just a box they check to make more money and keep their certification valid. Unfortunately for them, they'll never excel as a career personal trainer.

 

Continuing education isn't just the foundation of a lasting career. It's the stairway to excellence. Continuing education is absolutely essential for those who want to make a GREAT LIVING while doing what they LOVE.

Here's why...

 

Continuing Education (CE) is key for two main reasons: Relevance and Competence.

I speak of Relevance because in an industry that's always changing regularly investing in education is essential to keep our knowledge current. Regular engagement in continuing education programs allows us to stay ahead of trends, anticipate client needs, and deliver a superior training experience.

I speak of competence because CE keeps our skills sharp. It means we're not just up to date... we've broadened our toolbox. And with these tools we can help more people.

Here's another way to think about this. Let's draw a parallel between human movement and CE. 💡

Skilled movers aren't those who are constrained to moving in just one way. Skilled movers have options. Skilled movers leverage various movement strategies to navigate the world and vary the stressors on the body. The broadening of tools that comes with continuing education is similar. More tools the have, the more creative we can get when solving solve problems.

Therefore, if you want to be more skilled at getting your clients to their goals. Lifelong learning is a must.

 

Breaking Through Plateaus—For You and Your Clients

Everyone hits plateaus—both clients and trainers. For clients, it might be a stubborn number on the scale or a fitness milestone that seems just out of reach. For trainers, plateaus often manifest as a sense of stagnation in their career. A feeling that they’re not progressing, or offering anything new. A feeling that they're falling behind.

CE is key to breaking through these plateaus. Diving deeper into specialized areas (such as biomechanics, psychology, etc.) and learning new skills equips us with the tools we need to tackle client plateaus with renewed vigor, creativity and confidence. CE lets us adjust our strategies. Which beats smashing our heads against the wall, hoping old tricks yield new results, which 🚨 *Spoiler Alert*... doesn't happen.

CE is essential for our careers and our mental and emotional well-being. Investing in our professional growth also develops confidence. And as we become more confident, the dreaded imposter syndrome loosens its grip.

 

Shed Imposter Syndrome. For good.

Imposter syndrome is a career killer. You've likely experienced it before... I know I have...

Imposter syndrome is the voice that tells you you’re not good enough, that you’re a fraud, that you can't do it. It's the voice that cripples self-confidence and action. For personal trainers, imposter syndrome is particularly debilitating.

 

Fortunately there exists an effective way to combat Imposter Syndrome. Continuing education.

As we grow our professional tool-kit the more confident we become. We trust in our ability to FIGURE SH*T OUT. Long-term educational programs are particularly powerful. Immersing ourselves in long-term educational programs develops a deep understanding of the art of personal training. This allows us to tackle client challenges with decisive solutions and drives confidence. It reminds us that we have much to offer. That we are valuable.

Longer educational programs provide the chance to thoroughly absorb, reflect on, and apply knowledge. Something weekend courses can't offer. This layered accumulation of knowledge allows us integrate new concepts in our training practice and make them our own. This empowers us and makes us less reliant on the rigid application of "see 'x' do 'y' training protocols. In essence, we transform from "paint-by-numbers" to creating a masterpiece on a blank canvas.

It is this integration that drives career excellence and sheds imposter syndrome.

Long-form education leads to mastery. A mastery that transcends mere memorization.

 

Continuing education is the foundation of professional growth, client satisfaction, and long-term success.

The next time you’re considering a continuing education program... Remember this.

Every hour you spend learning is an investment in your future. The best trainers are those who never stop learning. And that’s a journey worth taking.

 

Stay curious, stay committed, and keep learning.

Etienne Asselin, mhRTS

Founder of The Exercise Mechanic

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