Saturday, January 31, 2009

Execute What You Believe In

I was watching a video over at GaryVaynerchuk.com and that one sentence struck a chord with me.

While information is great, and its always a good idea to follow the path that people may have already laid out for you, sometime you just have to "do you".

Take advice, listen and watch what others are doing, but its what YOU believe in, what YOU want to do that will ultimately make the difference.

Its hard to listen to yourself because that means there is only you to blame if it doesn't work. But now you know what works or doesn't for YOU. Have a plan and stick to it.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Whats Right?

Too many people focus on everything that's going wrong in their lives, but they often forget that there is usually alot of RIGHT going on.

The fact that you are in the comfort of your home or an office right now reading this blog on a computer or laptop shows that you have plenty to be thankful for.

Your friends, family, the fact that you aspire to be something more, and that you have values by which you live by all show that you have plenty of RIGHT.

Don't forget it and don't forget to tell the people around you to remind them whats going RIGHT in their lives.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

One BIG Goal for the Day

Write down one BIG goal for the day - something you've been wanting to do for maybe a few weeks or months, but haven't for whatever reason.

And don't sleep until its done.

I have mine, what's yours?

10,000 Hours

In his recent book, Outliers, Malcom Gladwell points out that researchers have found that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in something. How many have you logged?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Embrace Failure

Fear of failure, fear of not being liked, fear of being embarassment - these are what prevent most people from ever becoming remarkable.

Don't be afraid to ask the "stupid" quesion(s).

Don't be afraid to write or say something that everyone might not like.

Don't be afraid to go for a dream that other people say is not possible.

Embrace the screw ups, the times you fell short, the times you missed - thats one less time you will fail and one more way you have learned to succeed.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Surround Yourself With Quality People

The people you hang around with have a huge impact in the person that you are and the person that you will become.

And you have the same impact on them. Its your choice to become a leader, to become remarkable, to be admirable. By trying to make a difference in other peoples lives, you only further enrich your own.

Your friends, family, coworkers, significant others - these are the everyday people the can effect what you think, say, and do (and what you will eventually become).

Social networking allows to further expand on this and can help to facilitate the mindset and give you the resources needed to succeed. Sites like twitter, facebook, digg, along with various blogs help connect you to people with similar interests, motives, and drive.

There are other fitness pros, internet marketers, motivational speakers, athletes who are making it happen and who are willing to share information. Seek them out and give credit where credit is due.

Values & Time Management

From Elliot Hulse over at http://www.hulsestrength.com

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Iron by Henry Rollins

from Details Magazine 1993

I believe that the definition of definition is reinvention. To not be like your parents. To not be like your friends. To be yourself.

Completely.

When I was young I had no sense of myself. All I was, was a product of all the fear and humiliation I suffered. Fear of my parents. The humiliation of teachers calling me "garbage can" and telling me I'd be mowing lawns for a living. And the very real terror of my fellow students. I was threatened and beaten up for the color of my skin and my size. I was skinny and clumsy, and when others would tease me I didn't run home crying, wondering why. I knew all too well. I was there to be antagonized. In sports I was laughed at. A spaz. I was pretty good at boxing but only because the rage that filled my every waking moment made me wild and unpredictable. I fought with some strange fury. The other boys thought I was crazy.

I hated myself all the time. As stupid at it seems now, I wanted to talk like them, dress like them, carry myself with the ease of knowing that I wasn't going to get pounded in the hallway between classes. Years passed and I learned to keep it all inside. I only talked to a few boys in my grade. Other losers. Some of them are to this day the greatest people I have ever known. Hang out with a guy who has had his head flushed down a toilet a few times, treat him with respect, and you'll find a faithful friend forever. But even with friends, school sucked. Teachers gave me hard time. I didn't think much of them either.

Then came Mr. Pepperman, my advisor. He was a powerfully built Vietnam veteran, and he was scary. No one ever talked out of turn in his class.Once one kid did and Mr. P. lifted him off the ground and pinned him to the blackboard. Mr. P. could see that I was in bad shape, and one Friday in October he asked me if I had ever worked out with weights. I told him no. He told me that I was going to take some of the money that I had saved and buy a hundred-pound set of weights at Sears. As I left his office, I started to think of things I would say to him on Monday when he asked about the weights that I was not going to buy. Still, it made me feel special. My father never really got that close to caring. On Saturday I bought the weights, but I couldn't even drag them to my mom's car. An attendant laughed at me as he put them on a dolly.

Monday came and I was called into Mr. P.'s office after school. He said that he was going to show me how to work out. He was going to put me on a program and start hitting me in the solar plexus in the hallway when I wasn't looking. When I could take the punch we would know that we were getting somewhere. At no time was I to look at myself in the mirror or tell anyone at school what I was doing. In the gym he showed me ten basic exercises. I paid more attention than I ever did in any of my classes. I didn't want to blow it. I went home that night and started right in.

Weeks passed, and every once in a while Mr. P. would give me a shot and drop me in the hallway, sending my books flying. The other students didn't know what to think. More weeks passed, and I was steadily adding new weights to the bar. I could sense the power inside my body growing. I could feel it.

Right before Christmas break I was walking to class, and from out of nowhere Mr. Pepperman appeared and gave me a shot in the chest. I laughed and kept going. He said I could look at myself now. I got home and ran to the bathroom and pulled off my shirt. I saw a body, not just the shell that housed my stomach and my heart. My biceps bulged. My chest had definition. I felt strong. It was the first time I can remember having a sense of myself. I had done something and no one could ever take it away. You couldn't say shit to me.

It took me years to fully appreciate the value of the lessons I have learned from the Iron. I used to think that it was my adversary, that I was trying to lift that which does not want to be lifted. I was wrong. When the Iron doesn't want to come off the mat, it's the kindest thing it can do for you. If it flew up and went through the ceiling, it wouldn't teach you anything. That's the way the Iron talks to you. It tells you that the material you work with is that which you will come to resemble. That which you work against will always work against you.

It wasn't until my late twenties that I learned that by working out I had given myself a great gift. I learned that nothing good comes without work and a certain amount of pain. When I finish a set that leaves me shaking, I know more about myself. When something gets bad, I know it can't be as bad as that workout.

I used to fight the pain, but recently this became clear to me: pain is not my enemy; it is my call to greatness. But when dealing with the Iron, one must be careful to interpret the pain correctly. Most injuries involving the Iron come from ego. I once spent a few weeks lifting weight that my body wasn't ready for and spent a few months not picking up anything heavier than a fork. Try to lift what you're not prepared to and the Iron will teach you a little lesson in restraint and self-control.

I have never met a truly strong person who didn't have self-respect. I think a lot of inwardly and outwardly directed contempt passes itself off as self-respect: the idea of raising yourself by stepping on someone's shoulders instead of doing it yourself. When I see guys working out for cosmetic reasons, I see vanity exposing them in the worst way, as cartoon characters, billboards for imbalance and insecurity. Strength reveals itself through character. It is the difference between bouncers who get off strong-arming people and Mr.Pepperman.

Muscle mass does not always equal strength. Strength is kindness and sensitivity. Strength is understanding that your power is both physical and emotional. That it comes from the body and the mind. And the heart.

Yukio Mishima said that he could not entertain the idea of romance if he was not strong. Romance is such a strong and overwhelming passion, a weakened body cannot sustain it for long. I have some of my most romantic thoughts when I am with the Iron. Once I was in love with a woman. I thought about her the most when the pain from a workout was racing through my body.

Everything in me wanted her. So much so that sex was only a fraction of my total desire. It was the single most intense love I have ever felt, but she lived far away and I didn't see her very often. Working out was a healthy way of dealing with the loneliness. To this day, when I work out I usually listen to ballads.

I prefer to work out alone. It enables me to concentrate on the lessons that the Iron has for me. Learning about what you're made of is always time well spent, and I have found no better teacher. The Iron had taught me how to live. Life is capable of driving you out of your mind. The way it all comes down these days, it's some kind of miracle if you're not insane. People have become separated from their bodies. They are no longer whole.

I see them move from their offices to their cars and on to their suburban homes. They stress out constantly, they lose sleep, they eat badly. And they behave badly. Their egos run wild; they become motivated by that which will eventually give them a massive stroke. They need the Iron Mind.

Through the years, I have combined meditation, action, and the Iron into a single strength. I believe that when the body is strong, the mind thinks strong thoughts. Time spent away from the Iron makes my mind degenerate. I wallow in a thick depression. My body shuts down my mind.

The Iron is the best antidepressant I have ever found. There is no better way to fight weakness than with strength. Once the mind and body have been awakened to their true potential, it's impossible to turn back.

The Iron never lies to you. You can walk outside and listen to all kinds of talk, get told that you're a god or a total bastard. The Iron will always kick you the real deal. The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Motivation vs Passion

Motivation is a short term feeling - something that comes and goes. It can be sparked, but a breeze can blow it out.

Passion on the other hand is the drving force behind doing what you love and becoming successful. It can be ignited and will light the path you choose to follow.

What are YOU On?

Friday, January 23, 2009

The Law of Attraction

The Secret has been a huge success in dvd and book sales and lots of people are talking about it.

Some people fall in love with the idea that the law of attraction will just work for them, and there is no work involved.

Those people missed the boat. You only attract what you ACT on. Simple, but not easy.

Overdeliver

In everything you do. In your business, in your training, in your personal life/relationships.

Overdeliver. It get results. Period. Show that you care, give that extra effort, and be rewarded.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Get out of your comfort zone

Yesterday I wrote about deadlines, and the one thing that deadlines do is make you uncomfortable. You HAVE to act, or else. That feeling drives you.

Being uncomfortable, being forced to act, is what causes growth. The second you get comfortable, the second you decide to stop and "wait" is the second you will start to die.

Not literally, but you're definately not getting any better - and if you're not improving, you're better off dead. This is true in sports, business, personal relationships, you name it. Never get comfortable, never fall into the trap the people around you have.

What do you love to do?

Gary Vaynerchuck on following your passion, hustle, and building personal brand.

Have a Deadline

Its easy to relax and let your goals fade. In fact thats probably what you're used to doing.

Far too often, people think, say, or write down a goal - but there's no deadline. No "if you don't get it done by that day you fail", no public embarassment, no accountability.

The most sure fire way to lock it down and take action on your goals is to set a strict (public if you can) deadline.

People allow themselves to fail everyday, but no one wants to be humiliated in front of friends, family, or peers.

Sports make this easy. If I have a fight scheduled for june 1st, I am going to do everything I can to show up to that event in peak condition - physically,technically, and mentally prepared to my utmost ability on THAT day. June 2nd won't matter.

Personal, business, financial, fitness, etc goals also need to have deadlines and should be also be made public (even if just to a small group of friends). By doing so, you'll find yourself being more productive (cant waste time now that theres a date it has to be done by!), and less apt to quit or push it to the side (again).

Act faster and prosper. Deadline it and make it official.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Recent Revelation

Progress in any facet of life is about taking 1 or two steps back to move forward. Whether it be in business, sports, personal relationships, etc.

Think about the people that you know who are "stuck" - they continue to repeat the same things over and over again and never quite get to where they want to.

In the beginning stages of anything, progress is simple and more often than not just has to do with showing up.

Beyond that stage, however, there comes a point where you have to suck up your ego and evaluate where you are.

It might be uncomfortable, but uncomfortable is where real progress begins.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Inch by Inch

The Norm

Its easy to get in the vicious circle that is bieng the norm. The majority. Oridinary. Whats expected.

If you don't want to be like most people, then you have to do what most people don't do.

Extraordinary comes at a price, it comes from bootstrapping yourself to what you're passionate about and making the choice to LEAD. Everyone can be a leader, but few choose to do so.

Read everyday. Write everyday. Do what you love to do everyday. Learn everyday. Share ideas everyday. This is how you lead, how you make things happen, and get others to do the same. Set an example and become extraordinary.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Will Smith on Success

Whatever you think about Will Smith, this is great...






go get it.

Your Obligation

It should not just be a choice to live the life you want to live, but an obligation.

There are far too many resources out there to NOT make things happen.

Start today, even if just a little.

Write about something you're passionate about, read about something you need to learn more about, find people who are already making it happen and watch (and do) what they do.

Finish Strong.

saw this over at the Diesel Crew's blog yesterday

Friday, January 16, 2009

Randy Pausch

his book is currently a bestseller despite his passing this past year. Take 10 minutes to watch this.

Maybe

saw this on alwyn cosgrove's blog awhile back...

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I Don't Know Everything

and that's OK! The difference is that I actively seek out people who know more than me. If you want your performance, your business, your life to reach heights most people only dream of, then you gotta start doing the same. Search for the people in your field that are gettin it done, that are doing big things, and are thinking creatively to live the life they love to live.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Watch This

Many Lessons in this 20 minute video...

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Best in the World

The most recent book I've read is The Dip by Seth Godin - first off its about 80 pages which is great because I just knocked it off in one sitdown. Secondly, it brings great attention to quitting and knowing when not to quit. "The Dip", as Godin explains, is that long, drawn-out period of time where people either quit and give up or they go on and reape the rewards of their sacrifices - this is true in business, sports, relationships, working out, whatever. Think about it - when you first start an endevour, you're excited, your enthusiasm is high, the learning process is lightning fast and everything is great! However, as anyone who has ever done anything worth while in their lives, it takes thousands upon thousands of hours and years upon years to ever get anywhere - hence, "the dip". The key, says Godin, is to first off decide when and what to quit (and when to press on) so that you can become The Best in the World at what you truly desire to be. But you see, this is why "the best in the world" is so scarce - people don't know when and what to quit, and they don't know when to press on. This is why people are unhappy and lead mediocre lives - scarcity is created by everyone around you, so take advantage of this!

While there are many interesting things to discuss in those ~80 pages in Godin's book, the idea of having the mindset of "Best in the World" is a take home point for every part of your life. If you set out to be the Best in the World, then automatically you will be doing the things that only the Best in the World would do (and not do the things they wouldn't do!). By holding yourself to a higher standard and putting your energy towards accomplishing 1 or 2 great things rather than being just "good" at everything, you eliminate what Godin calls the "cul de sac" effect, where you are essentially going in circles and spinning your wheels. Getting caught in a cul de sac is a recipe for mediocrity and a way to acheive nothing. Decide what you want to become the Best in the World at and strive to make that happen - enjoy The Dip and reape the benefits that no one else waited to see (or waited to long in something else).

Friday, January 9, 2009

Excuses

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Follow In The Footsteps of Giants

No matter what your field of expertise, or even your hobbies, I think its very important to actively seek out people who are smarter than you or people who are "doing it" and living the type of lifstyle or doing the things that you one day would like to do. There's always an "inner circle" - you just have to find it! There are people out there getting it done and they are willing to share information, you just have to know how to find them. With the internet, and the "age of information", this should be easier than ever, but sometimes there is just too much bullshit to siff through. So to shortcut this process, check out some of the links in the sidebar and surf around for awhile and look what these people are doing, saying, and thinking.

Luck Vs Effort

""the paradox of effort is that while luck is certainly more appealing,you can't choose luck - its something that just happens. Effort, on the other hand is available all of the time" or something like that. Every second of every day you can choose your thoughts, your words, and your actions - the 3 things that will be direct your life in whichever direction you CHOOSE to go. It takes EFFORT to change the way you think, talk and act,and thats why most people are just STUCK. Stuck being mediocre, stuck not being successful, stuck being unhappy. No matter what your goals are, remember that its effort (focued, deliberate effort) to get to where you want to be and that the "lucky ones" are few and far between - and they never had any real fun getting there anyway!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Want vs. Willing

everybody wants stuff...people WANT to lose weight, people WANT to make more money, people WANT to get stronger, faster, and more athletic, people WANT to be successful. But to want something is just a feeling - it means NOTHING...that's why most everybody you know just sits on their ass, hates their job and is generally miserable. The fact is that its only the people who are WILLING to do what it takes to acheive their goals and then go out actually DO those things.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Don't Hesitate

So its the second, which means most people have already fallen off the wagon with their so called resolutions. Don't be like everyone else "waiting until..."...the time is NOW, so get off your ass and make things HAPPEN.