Does It Ever Just "Click?"

I got an e-mail the other day from another personal trainer asking me if there was ever a point in my career where everything just "clicked" and came together. To quote him:

"For example, my first year = shitty training programs/no confidence, second yr = more understanding of program design, still a little unsure, this year = I feel it's beginning to come together, more confidence in program design, a certain quiet confidence (still humble, though). I think all the best in the business have a constant hunger for knowledge and a quiet confidence about them, they just get "IT", hopefully I'm on the right path for "IT".

I look back when I started in this industry (2002) and I cringe. The funny thing is, I THOUGHT I knew everything there was to know about strength and conditioning back then. Come to find out, I didn't know squat. Literally and figuratively. I was still very much a newbie. My programming sucked my first year in the industry; I am scared to admit that I was the “lets set you up on a machine circuit” guy. I didn’t even know what a deadlift was for crying out loud. Boooooooooo Tony.

To be honest, there are STILL times where I think I am the dumbest person on earth. I can look back as far as six months ago and shake my head in disbelief at some of the stuff I advocated or tried out with my clients. But you learn as you go. Trial and error, right? I mean if Mike Boyle can admit that he is wrong from time to time after 20+ years in the industry, I think anyone who claims they know it all is a pompous asshole.

I think the key to success in this industry is a constant thirst for knowledge. I have said this several times and it bears (or is it bares?) repeating…continuing education is crucial. Read and attend seminars; surround yourself with like minded individuals. If you do this, you WILL succeed.

It’s hard to believe that when I first started, I didn’t even know that places like t-nation.com or various other sites existed. I didn’t know who John Berardi, Alwyn Cosgrove or Mike Boyle were. And I think Eric Cressey was still trying to grow facial hair back then…;o)

Fast forward 5 years.

1. I am now writing for t-nation.com on a regular basis, as well as other various sites.
2. I have been fortunate enough to be asked to contribute to several e-books and manuals.
3. I work at one of the top clubs in the country.
4. And in a “I have kinda made it” moment: John Berardi, Alwyn Cosgrove and Mike Boyle all know who I am. I know this because Alwyn and Mike like to bust my chops about my little infatuation with Jennifer Garner.

The point is, I had a constant thirst for knowledge. I ALWAYS want to better myself as a trainer. I never want to be medicore. In essence, it will take time…but I do feel that everyone will get to the point where things just start to click. BUT, you have to learn from your mistakes as you go.

Quiet confidence….I like that.