In 1986 Michael Gerber’s The E-Myth was published.

It started a revolution.

Finally, small business owners had a path forward from “technician” to “entrepreneur.”

They discovered the critical importance of systems, and saw how spending more time working ON, rather than just IN their business, could set them free.

Gerber did a fantastic job of explaining WHAT to do, but his book fell short in explaining HOW to do it.

And that’s where the amazing new book I want to tell you about today picks up.

If your fitness business is disorganized and not running SYSTEMATICALLY, then there is an absolute ceiling to your growth.  Although most everyone pays lip service to the value of systems, very few understand how to create and implement them into their businesses.

The degree to which your fitness business is systemized largely determines how effective, and how profitable, it will be as you grow.

It also largely determines your quality of life as a fitness business owner.

Because fitness business systems give you leverage and control, and that gives you freedom.

I’ve written extensively about the value and importance of taking your fitness business from chaos to control via systemization in my letters about DUPLICATOR™ and EZ-Operator™ (the two most potent fitness management systems available anywhere, at any price).

With DUPLICATOR™ and EZ-Operator™, we give you the fish. It’s ready to eat.

But if you’re interested, as you should be, in learning how to fish, then I want to introduce you to a book that, in my opinion, is one of the most important business books ever written.

I say that because I’ve owned a business that was ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ and now I’m the co-owner of a business that is almost 100% systems-driven.

I did well with the ‘seat of my pants’ model because I can market and sell with the best of them.  But it was stressful and solely dependent on my performance.

Sound familiar?

Because of that, I repeatedly smacked my head into a HARD earning’s ceiling (and I’ve got no hair to cushion the blow).

I had very little leverage.  And leverage is the second sexiest word in business (‘margin’ is the first).

Now things are almost 180 degrees different.  Now business is booming, there’s nothing but clear, blue sky above our heads, and we’ve got TREMENDOUS up-side leverage.

That’s because of effective systems (my hat’s off to Sean).

Once you experience how systems impact your life: how much easier, more effective, efficient and IN-CONTROL they make everything you do, or manage, you want MORE of them.

And you want them in every aspect of your life.

That’s why, when I heard about the book Work The System by Sam Carpenter – I grabbed it and devoured it.

I might never be a systems savant like Sean – but even this old dog can learn a few new tricks.

And so can you – old dog or not.

Listen to what author Sam Carpenter says in his introduction to Work The System…

“I direct Work the System to those who have the following chronic internal dialogue: ‘There are things I must do right now, and there is barely the time or money or energy to do them. I will bulldoze my way through these tasks, and as usual, they will be completed just in time – but the results will be of marginal quality, and my body and mind will continue to be stretched to the breaking point.  I’m tired and stressed and can’t seem to shake free of living on the edge, and I worry about my frame of mind and my health.  There is too much chaos around me, too little control, and never enough money – things are far from what they should be…’”

Does that resonate with you?

If so, I’ve got 3 very serious suggestions:

1. Go here and download the first three chapters of Work The System for free (good), or just buy the book (better) for $15 here. It’s available in hard cover, PDF and audio versions.  The book is a great read, but it DOES require work to implement. You won’t benefit by osmosis.
2. Read about DUPLICATOR™ Fitness Business Management System. You may not need it at this time, but you will sooner or later.
3. Watch the EZ-Operator™ video and sign up for the early bird announcement list.  We’ll be re-opening this incredible system in September to 50 more fitness business owners who want highly optimized operations that delight your clients, staff and you.

To your fitness business success,
Eric

P.S. I coined the phrase “from chaos to control” back in early 2008 when I wrote the DUPLICATOR™ letter. Since then, it’s been borrowed by many top tier folks. Interesting.