Proactive. Persistent. Pleasant.

These three words have been the keys to my success in fitness modeling and television.. Being proactive, persistent, and pleasant is what sets working fitness models apart from people who have great physiques and beautiful faces but don’t get jobs in the industry. I’m going to show you how to put the “Three Ps” into practice to increase your odds of success.

Here’s a perfect example: I got a phone call from a friend who told me that a prominent fitness magazine was looking for a model for a video project. I was excited, and told my friend that I’d get my photo and résumé in the mail right away.

He suggested that I put on a tank top and shorts (something that showed off my physique) and drive two and a half hours to deliver my photo and résumé in person. My immediate thought was, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just mail the stinking things?” After all, it would save me five hours in the car, 20 dollars in gas, and potential embarrassment. He insisted that I should be proactive — and he was right!

I called the magazines office, told them I’d be in their area for some other business, and asked if I could come in to say hi and deliver my promotional packet.

When I got there, I was nervous, anxious, and actually a bit uncomfortable — after all, I didn’t make a habit of running around the ghetto in tight shorts and a tank top! But I got to meet Michael Neaveux, photographer extraordinaire…and he was impressed. He told me later that my proactive approach got me the video job.

Not all jobs come that easy, and that’s where being persistent and pleasant come in. I walked into the magazine’s office with a smile on my face and was friendly to everyone I met. Even if I hadn’t gotten the job, my good-natured attitude would have made an impression when it came time for the next opportunity. And I would have been right back there for that new chance at a paying job, with a proactive approach and a pleasant disposition.

By now you should be getting the idea that being proactive, persistent, and pleasant is a continuous cycle. You really can’t have one without the others and expect to succeed in such a competitive business as fitness modeling! If your proactive approach gets you a job, you better be pleasant during the shoot and persistent in fostering a relationship with the person who hired you.

Based on the response to my first few articles, I know that many of you desire to break into fitness modeling. Well, the “Three Ps” are powerful tools that can help you reach your goals. My advice to you is to practice being proactive, persistent, and pleasant in all aspects of your life, and see what a difference it makes!