Her: So why don't we get started. We're just going to get your BMI (taps foot on scale to turn it on).
Ava: Before we get started, just wanted to get something out there. This is the third time I've had an appointment with you and you haven't been here or you have been late. I expect when I make an appointment with you, that you will be there and I feel you have not been respectful of my time.
Her: Excuse about someone scheduling her appointments for her, irrrevalent note about how she was ready literally a minute after I left (pissed) this evening. Apologized that I felt it was inconvenient.
Ava: It was not inconvenient, it was inconsiderate. I understand life happens, but when it does, I expect the courtesy of a call.
Her: Well I feel really bad that you were so upset.
Ava: Don't feel bad, it's not like we're best friends and you hurt my feelings. This is a business and I am a client and it's just disrespectful of my time to make appointments and not be there. I just felt we needed to discuss this before we move on.
Her:
It was all over so quickly but that might be in my top 5 most honest conversations. It was awesome and I was super pleased that I think we got the script effectively flipped in terms of who is in charge of this trainer/client relationship. I pay you, you work for me. You won't be late for our appointments. We exercise on my terms and with my goals, not yours. You did not invent cardio or target heart rates. I was using exercise equipment with heart rate monitors while you were still in grade school. Just show me some freaking exercises and shut the hell up. I loved the startled look she had when I first lit into her. It wasn't emotional or dramatic; no waving arms or rolling necks, no raised voices. I was looking her dead in the face and telling her the truth. And to her credit, after I refused to even acknowledge her excuses, she abandoned them. In short, I was difficult and I enjoyed it. She gets to be 24 and blond. I get to be intimidating and old. I went into the conversation expecting to bid her farewell but having said my piece, I was satisfied and ready to see what she had to offer.
2 comments:
Ha! Liked this one a lot. And I liked the way you phrased that one part: "As soon as I refused to acknowledge her excuses she abandoned them." Well phrased and observant. Nice!
I think we need to have more honest conversations. There doesn't have to be yelling or drama or condescending--just true conversations.
Post a Comment