Ramona’s Trainer: Failing Forward
We’ve all experienced setbacks, tragedies and problems. Life is full of them.
The difference between successful people and those who aren’t is this: THE SUCCESSFUL FAIL FORWARD NOT BACKWARD!
It’s all in how you think about adversity, how you respond, that will make you or break you. I have to admit, I have failed in the past and I will continue to fail in the future.
I am the owner of Ramona Fitness Center, Ramona’s first fitness center. For 25 years Ramona Fitness has been the part of 20,000 people’s fitness program over those years. I’ve tried other businesses and some would say those have failed.
I opened Hurricane Juice and Supplements and it was in business for four years, but a time came to close the doors and fail forward. We decided to put it in the gym and save thousands on payroll and fixed expenses each month which was draining profits in a free-standing location. I failed forward by taking my new found experience in food service and took it into the gym.
I founded and opened The Promenade Club, Fitness for Women, along with my sister, Nikki, back in 2004. In 2004 ALL business was booming and the economy was great! We created an upscale fitness experience that was not surpassed in any part of San Diego.
We had modest goals and continued to succeed until the economy tanked. I learned that you cannot overcome a lease that is too costly for the potential net profit of that business.
How can I forget the $10,000 I invested in
Value Magazine
- This was truly a BOMBED or BOTCHED business decision. I saw great promise in the coupon book aimed at different cities across San Diego, but I was too trusting and naive and never saw a penny of that 10k, let alone a return. I learned to fail forward by making sure relationships are set up properly legally and IF IT AIN’T IN WRITING, IT AIN’T REAL!
It’s not whether you are going to encounter failure that’s important, it’s how you react to failure that really matters. Here are some keys from John Maxwell to Failing Forward:
• Take responsibility
• Learn from each mistake
• Know failure is a part of the process
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Take new risks
• Persevere
Good luck and please check out my websites www.ramonastrainer.com and www.ramonafitness.com for articles, workouts, videos and how you can get started on your path to you—only better!
A Ramona resident, Peter San Nicolas is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified fitness professional, Crossfit Level 1 trainer, and Titleist Performance Institute certified golf fitness professional.