09 May How to use lockdown to make your dreams a reality
Has lockdown made you decide it’s time for a change? Maybe you’d like to try a new career? Or you’re wondering how to start your own business? If you come to our classes, you might be thinking about taking the next step and becoming a Turn’d Up Fitness instructor? It could be anything, but making the first move can be a bit daunting, trust me, I know!
If you’re anything like me, before lockdown you probably lived your life at a million miles an hour. I was working hard, chasing those ideas, keeping fit, making time for that all-important self-care, reading and listening to something positive every day to empower myself. Not to mention being a boss, a best friend, a daughter, an auntie, a sister – the list goes on and on. It’s hard to work out what you really want out of life when you’re so busy. Now we’ve got the time and space to focus, I think lots of people are feeling like they want to make a change.
To help you, I thought I’d share some tips I’ve learnt on my own Turn’d Up Fitness journey. I’ve achieved my dream with lots of barriers, I had no financial backing and I’m dyslexic. If I can do it, you can too. I’ll be here, rooting for you and cheering you all the way.
So here we go, firstly and most importantly:
1. What do you love to do?
It could be anything! Have you watched the instructors when you’re doing a Turn’d Up Fitness session and thought, “I’d like to give that a go”? Have you always made your own clothes and are now wondering how to start your own business? Or are you a wannabe MUA who wants to start a YouTube channel? Any of these things could form the basis of a new business, or just a really fun hobby for you, but it’s the passion and love for your dream that will feed it and turn into something real.
Follow your gut and your passion will help you go all the way. If it’s something you aren’t head over heels for, you’re likely to lose your momentum and not go the distance.
I credit the success of Turn’d Up Fitness with just how much I love and value what I do. What kickstarted the brand was my love of dance and fitness, but what has seen us grow is the love I have for changing people’s lives and spreading positivity. That’s the core of the Turn’d Up Fitness brand. I put my all into Turn’d Up because I love it so much, but also because I get so much back from my girl gang.
2. Mirror, mirror
It’s very important to have an original idea and keep it authentic, but there’s a lot to be learnt out there from others. Is there a brand, or someone else out there doing something similar to your dream? Take a look at how they got where they are and there’s sure to be some learning there for you.
You need to follow your own path and offer something unique, but there’s no shame in following in the footsteps of those who have done really well before you. There’s a book by Carrie Green called ‘She Means Business’ that really helped me. It’s a must read for anyone wondering how to start your own business. Carrie set up her first online business when she was 20. She tells you loads of tips on how to succeed and achieve more. Women supporting women and showing each other the way forward is the way to go – this book was like having a chat with a friend.
I also looked to the people who were at the top of their game when it comes to fitness classes. Les Mills and Zumba are a total inspiration to me. Our programmes are completely different, but it is a similar business model and Les inspired me to get Turn’d Up Fitness made into an accredited programme – I didn’t want it to be a freestyle class.
3. Say no to negativity
When you first start making your idea into a reality there’s bound to be doubt in your mind, ‘It won’t work’, ‘I can’t do it’, ‘No-one will understand what I’m trying to do’, but please know, I’ve been there too and it’s 100% natural to have these fears. It’s human to have doubts, right? If you didn’t I’d be wondering what kind of superhuman you were!
Whenever I have a good idea, 10 seconds later a negative thought can ping into my brain saying, ’That won’t work out, don’t bother,’ but you have to fight against it. Focus on the positive instead, write down more ideas you’ve had and keep your creativity flowing. Or, if you’re really stuck, why not try some of the affirmations I’ve blogged about here, to help you ride out the negative feelings. Then come back and keep working when you’re feeling more balanced and positive.
With every idea comes a lot of work, but you need to follow it through and never give up, no matter how challenging things get, or when life gets in the way. You have to see things through until the end with commitment, dedication, energy, effort and creativity.
4. Trust the process
A really good way to make things happen is to visualise your success. I’m a firm believer in the laws of attraction. I think that if you start on a path and want something badly enough, if the passion is there then the universe has a funny way of making sure you get what you need, at just the right time. It sounds crazy, but it DOES happen and if you start to think that way too, you’ll be amazed, I promise you.
It took a bit of time for me to rewire my brain to think this way, but there’s A LOT of books out there to help. I’ve shared some of the books I love on the blog before here. Another really good book to read is: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It’s crazy old, published in 1937! But, it’s still a bestseller, so you can tell it’s a real eye opener, it definitely helped when I was wondering how to start my own business.
5. Trust yourself and your sixth sense
Pay attention to all your thoughts and trust yourself. Tune into your sixth sense. The sixth sense is something called “Creative imagination.” This “sixth sense” is the difference between a genius and an ordinary individual.
You can rely on the “still small voice” which speaks from within, through the faculty of creative imagination. An idea backed by plans, that is then backed by commitment and persistence equals results.
You’re the only person who can get you to where you want to be. Tell yourself you can do it and you will! Having belief in yourself and your ability to get things done is the first and most important step.
When I first started putting Turn’d Up Fitness together, I imagined women smiling and holding their instructor certificates. Just a year later it actually started happening. I was seeing the thing I’d dreamed of, happening in real life! It meant so much to me, to live my dream and change women’s lives. To get there I had to have a really strong belief in my plans and trust myself. It’s been an incredible ride and I know you can do the same – whatever it is you want to do. I hope sharing my journey helped you learn a more about how to start your own business, or take the first step in whatever change you want to make.
If becoming a Turn’d Up Fitness instructor is something you’d like to try, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s so rewarding and lush to be able to wake up and do what you love every day.
I can’t wait to hear about all your ideas and see them go all the way! What are your plans and dreams? Let me know in the comments. Sharing is caring…
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