A Blueprint for Career Fulfilment and Longevity

How do we create fulfilment at work? A Pilates Instructor spends on average between 30-40 hours per week at their job, that is potentially 2,080 hours per year in service of others. So, this is an important question to answer if we are to establish and maintain sustained joy from what we do.

In “purpose industries” like Pilates, mission alignment is a key driver of motivation and satisfaction; but passion isn’t enough to create and safeguard fulfilment in the long term. We need to dig a bit deeper.

If we evaluate (and then dictate) our relationship with our career; how this work meets our needs (or doesn’t); and examine how we cultivate relationships and a sense of belonging, it’s clear there is more we can do for ourselves.

Consider this a pragmatic blueprint for more professional joy.

Work For “Balance”

“Work-life balance” is a fallacy. Nothing in life exists in perfect balance; some things are heavy and others light. However, we can take action to optimise the good. Practical management of workload and composition (how your time is structured) is important. We know that a poorly managed workload, schedule fragmentation and inconsistency lead to dissatisfaction and burnout.

Split shifts, sporadic timetables, under-capitalised time, competitive rostering, or working across multiple locations creates, for many, a heightened level of logistical and mental load. We then go to the Studio and generously pour into our clients. This is a lot of energy out.

This can be managed by being intentional about work mix: how you schedule your time, what you teach and how you teach it.

For emerging Instructors, this is often a steep learning curve; but career Instructors aren’t immune to this paradigm. It is important to regularly flex your self-evaluation muscle and ask: what is working and what isn’t? Then find solutions.

You can also set yourself up for success by being strategic about your qualification(s). A comprehensive qualification with multiple Pathways creates opportunities for multiple income streams. If you can teach group classes and Studio private/semi-private you have greater flexibility to consolidate scheduling, reduce or eliminate split shifts and build substantive work blocks. (This is especially useful for working within school hours or around other commitments.)

The motivational value of having a mix of teaching formats in your week cannot be understated. Group - coupled with Studio teaching creates a satisfying blend of client engagement that keeps you feeling challenged and entertained, meaning you’re less likely to fall into a teaching rut.

The goal here is to take control over your output: work smarter and be inspired by the work you do in the process.

Professional Brand

Personal professional branding in Pilates is about more than how we “sell” our classes or style (however, this is important). Defining who you are as an Instructor is a vehicle for building relationships and experiencing a sense of belonging.

Relationships aren’t just “nice to have”; they’re a key strategy to achieve just about every personal and business goal. It makes sense that when we consistently show up in these relationships with authenticity, we generate greater personal and professional fulfilment.

We see the benefits of the personal brand most powerfully at the client level: engagement, experience and retention. A common quality among the most memorable and impactful Instructors is a well-defined, cohesive and honest professional brand.

When you bring it up a level, having a professional brand better positions you to engage with business, organisations and industry. These Instructors are more likely to connect with others and progress their teaching craft in a value-aligned and meaningful way.  

Consider:

Uniqueness.
What do you bring to the table that no one else does? What are your superpowers? Ask: how do my identity and lived experience influence my understanding of this job and my ability to do it?

Values.
What do you believe in? What inspires you? What fuels your sense of purpose in Pilates and outside of it?

Contributions.
What have you achieved to get here? Think about the sum of your experience, studies and qualifications.

When Instructors show up authentically, they build meaningful connections and amplify impact. It’s scientifically driven, sustained happiness all ‘round.

Embrace Specialisation

The Pilates industry has many avenues for specialisation that are only limited by your imagination and drive. The clinical route focuses on pathologies; the contributions of Scolio™ Pilates Master Trainer, Helen New is evidence of the power of specialised expertise being applied in a Pilates framework.

There’s also room to specialise according to population: pre-and post-natal, ageing/seniors, children and or teens. Fusion modality specialisation is an up-and-coming option: combine Pilates and nutrition, counselling/mental health services, massage, and more.

Pilates as part of elite level sport is a high-yield market. We see Pilates in cross-training applications across many sporting codes: AFL, basketball, tennis, rowing, boxing. The Method has roots in and continues to be put to great use for professional dance. (Pilates ITC Educator, Catherine Neal is a conditioning specialist for the Queensland Ballet Company.)

It is important to be guided by your interests, be curious and keep learning. Not only does this improve career satisfaction but it also positions Pilates Instructors as authorities in their field and elevates the industry in the process.

Strategic Career Progression

The business of Pilates is big, the market is contested and quick-moving. Equipping yourself with business intelligence and skills is a smart investment for career longevity. This applies to business owners and sole operators equally. You can seek out advanced training via Pilates training organisations (for example, Pilates ITC’s Advanced Diploma has dedicated, business modules), or explore short courses via alternative education providers.

The Educator trajectory is a rewarding and noble one. Shaping and supporting the industry’s future Instructors is rich with progression opportunities, and you can jump right in or build this portfolio over time.

The common thread here is a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development which is great for employability, job satisfaction and financial stability.

Active Participation in Industry

Advocacy is for everyone. When the industry benefits, the organisations and businesses operating within it benefit— so, everyone wins.

Business leaders are usually, and sometimes uncomfortably, aware of how much an industry is affected by outside forces like external regulations, public policy and economic trends. But there is a lot that individuals can do to generate influence.

Be a member of your chosen Association, sign up to their mailing lists, and get familiar with their scope of activity and agenda. The more you know, the further we all go.

You can volunteer and get involved in these Associations. Being part of something bigger than us is a great way to stay connected and feel inspired.

Our industry has a natural predisposition for community, mentor culture and collaboration. Today there is no need to feel isolated, no matter where you are in your journey.

People who find fulfilment in their work don't feel like they are 'just doing a job'; they perceive their work as a meaningful part of their lives, that contributes to others, but also informs their own sense of self and place in the world. 

Pilates is a career with ample opportunities for fulfillment, but it requires a pragmatic approach to navigate it with intention and joy.

Frances Cahill and Suzanne Newby are Directors of Pilates ITC operating nationally as well as Pilates Fitness Institute in Perth.

Enjoyed this article? Discover more like it!

If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy our other related content.

Check out this article below for more insights and inspiration.
+ How to nurture your longevity in the Pilates industry