Life by the horns

Hi all,

 

I want to thank those of you that have taken the August challenge seriously and those that have shared with me their success, challenges, and upcoming goals.

 

As most of you know, I have two small boys that have started back to school, and this time of year is a little more stressful than usual.  So, the August routine solidification has been tough on me as well.  I've had my slip-ups, have had my list of excuses, and have had my total loss of motivation at times. But, we better keep on rowing and adjusting the rutter.

 

I've been at a very pivotal point lately due to time constraints.  I've pulled out of races that I have already registered for, sold my mountain bike, and just recently considered selling my road bike.  I catch myself saying things like "I just don't have the time, energy, or motivation."  By the time I am home, fix dinner, and help kids with homework, its time to go to bed, wake up and do it all over again while my kids and dog look at me like I am a distant stranger.  Hahahaha,....I'm starting to speak in chunks rather than complete sentences because it takes less time.  I need to do laundry, dishes, cut grass, finish building tree house, get oil changed, clean cars, fix faucet, on and on and on and on......Where is the spare time/energy to "workout", much less "train" for anything!  "Why bother if I only have 30 minutes to run?"  Maybe its time to shift away from training and more toward staying "fit".  HOLY CRAP!  What kind of mental disease has crept into my brain?  I wish I had enough flexibility for a good swift kick to my own ass or a strong punch directly between my own warped viewing eyes.

 

If I let myself continue thinking that way, I will end up allowing life to run me vs. me running life.  Right now life is kicking the shit out of a lot of us.  Its time to take a stand and start kicking the shit out of life.  I'm pretty sick and tired of feeling run over all of the time and left for dead in the middle of the road.  Its time to jump into the drivers seat of the truck that ran you over, blare the horn and dare someone to step out in front of you as you barrel down the road toward the person you were meant to become.

 

The excuses STOP! and you GO!

 

Its amazing how many of us have a thousand reasons why we can't do something we want to do when all we really need is one reason why we can.  Excuses are the tools a person with no purpose or vision uses to build great monuments of emptiness. 

 

"The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own.  You don't blame on your mother, the ecology, or the president.  You realize that YOU control your own destiny"...........................Albert Ellis

 

Its time to turn that pivotal moment into a decision that you will take control of your life and LIVE it.  You and those around you will benefit far more if you're not lying dead in the middle of the road.

No excuses

How are YOU doing with your goals this month?  What effort have you, will you, make today in the pursuit? 

 

I am asking that you share with me a goal you picked for October as well as what you are doing each day to prepare.  August was to be the month to hammer down a routine and form some great habits.  I like the accountability of sharing that.  (You can simply respond to me, and not all)  Its not easy forming new habits in exchange for some bad ones that we need to drop!  But, we CAN do it.  We can push through those rough patches and come out the other side a much free-er and happier version of ourselves. 

  

In watching the Olympics, I am reminded just how much of our pursuit is mental.  It is heart breaking to see talented athletes who have devoted years of training for one event crumble under pressure because of the mind.  Weeks ago, I typed a newsletter revolving around our minds, thoughts, and self talk.  I conquered a particular trail run because I was determined to not let myself conform to negative thoughts, attitudes, or efforts.  This week, I tackled the same route and crumbled.  Why?  My head was not in the right place.  I allowed too many negative thoughts to creep in that eventually overcame my "attempt" to change my thoughts from negative to positive.  You know my feelings on "attempting" to do something.  I am a firm believer that you have to make your mind up to DO or not do.  If you give yourself too many choices, you may give in and listen to the little lying voice that says: "You can't", "Its too hot"  or "You're too tired".  When you listen to that and believe it, red flags should be flying!  Its time to take the mental preparation VERY seriously or you will become an excuse oriented person that falls way short of your potential on a daily basis minute by minute.  The preparation is where its at.  More time should be devoted to getting your head straight.  Whether that's starting your day staring at your goal in the mirror, listening to your most motivating music, prayer, video, or talking with a mentor, its got to happen.  And its got to happen more often than you think.  Don't allow a single negative thought to creep in.  Negative thoughts and actions are cumulative and can transform you into someone you were not created to be without you even recognizing its happening.  You end up in a rut.  Then the day comes that you realize you're in a rut wondering how in the heck you got there.  The only way out is to throw it in four wheel drive and sling some mud, or have a friend pull you out with a chain.

 

"Be driven by excellence.  To be driven by excellence so at the end of the day, each month, each year, and indeed at the end of life itself, we must ask one important question:  Have we demanded enough of ourselves, and by our example, inspired those around us to put forth their best effort and achieve their greatest potential?"............Richard Huseman

 

A few of you have seen this commercial a few times, but find it fitting to post.  No excuses.  Just Do It.

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nike+no+excuses+commercial&mid=6416271DDACB5F73355B6416271DDACB5F73355B&view=detail&FORM=VIRE2

 

 

 

Hi all,

 

I am convinced more and more each day that the majority of our obstacles are self created and mental.  (Yes.., I understand that there ARE physical limitations, especially as we get older.)  However, I firmly believe preconceptions, narrow mindedness, negative thoughts/influences make us "think" we are less than we are and make us "think"we can't do things we CAN.  Over time, these thoughts can do some major damage to what could be our true potential.  Think about it....... Our minds are truly a battlefield.  If we're not constantly aware of this, we won't begin to equip ourselves for the battle.  No planning, no tools, and no motivation is recipe for an ass kicking and lost opportunities to be all that we could be.  Remember..... what you feed, grows.  Whether it's fruit or weeds.  Do you want to bare fruit or get overtaken by kudzu?

 

I, like all of us, have to go to war each day.  Sometimes I get my ass kicked!  (Okay...more than sometimes) When I do, I have to keep it fresh in my mind in order to not repeat it again.  As a runner, I have succumb to an ass kicking quite often.  I would also venture to say that its been mental 95% of the time.  If I let myself quit in a training run, I know I am weakening my mind.  If I can stop then, its gonna get easier to do so the next time.  Slowly, I will convince myself that its "okay" to do so.  I had a similar experience with two training runs on a section of the Art Loeb.  The first two attempts broke me.  I "couldn't" get to the top without breaking into a hike.  The 2nd time was more miserable than the first and I found myself thinking it was "okay", and how it was physical b/c I haven't been running lately.  Its sooooo easy to sell yourself to avoid pain.  Last Friday, I slammed the door in the salesman's face!  I refused to lose the mental battle again and redefined myself.  I could have ended the run deflated again and fed negativity or I could put my head down and simply not let quit, stop, walk, can't, etc. be a part of my vocabulary.  Its NOT okay to give less than your best.  Once you decide you ARE going to do it, it simplifies things.  Quitting is NOT an option anymore.  You know what door you're going to open.  You simply have to step through, and never look back.  (Yes, I also think it takes a lot of courage to "try" and have heard a lot of people give credit and say "at least he tried" Bull shit.  Do or do not.  Make your mind up and prepare to "DO" like you intend to actually "DO" Luke warm water sucks and the only thing you find in the middle of the road are dead possoms)  Trust me, I'm talking to myself here more than you all.

 

All of us are very different.  We all have different mountains to climb.  Whether its Everest or sitting up in your bed without assistance from a nurse, the battle of the mind is the same for us all.  Last Friday's run may have only lasted an hour, but the mental/physical choices I made in that hour changed who I was for an entire weekend. When you conquer fear, doubt, negative mindset, poor self image, and a slew of other psychological weapons of the mind, you become free to be all that you were meant to be.  We may not win every battle, but you better start arming yourself with positive thoughts, quotes, constant motivation, influences, and self talk to win the damn war!  Remember... "It's never too late to be who you might have been."

Hi everyone!

It seems that last weeks email was a bit controversial. For the most part, people appreciated it. However, a few may have misunderstood a few things. I write this blog each week in an attempt to stir a bit of communication. If that means firing people up due to differences of opinions, so be it. My days of thinking I can please everyone are long gone. I used to lose a lot of sleep trying to make everyone happy and keep them motivated. I've been the General Manager of both a 6,000 and an 8,000 member fitness facility in my mid 20's. I believed at the time that I could make all of my members happy. Its impossible! and it almost drove me to an early grave trying. I made a lot of money, but wish more than anything to have those years back. Money, nice houses, and nice cars drove me to "succeed". My definition of success is COMPLETELY different today than it was then. Stuff is junk. A car takes you from point A to point B. A house is not a home. Titles are silly. Providing for your family is not financial, its time related. The Jones' are on their own. I have nothing to prove to anyone and find peace in God. I wear my heart on my sleeve and am who I am. I will always strive to be better, but I won't strive to please the world. In the BIG picture, the things that stress us to the point of explosion every single day do not matter at all. I used to live to work. Now, I work to live. I used to live to workout, now I workout to live. Wait..... that last part sounded a lot like "wellness". No it didn't. You can live "Fit" "Wellness" to me is defined as "not sick". Surely, I can aspire to be better than "not sick". Fitness CAN be fun! The road there can get you out of your comfort zone, and teach you so much more about who you truly are and can change who you aspire to be. There is nothing wrong with aspiring to BE GREAT!

Trust me; I still try to please everyone, but these days I am more focused on life balance, my families' happiness, and simply being true to myself/beliefs. I may please you, the results may please you, but I'm not going to put on an act and schmooze. Over my lifetime in fitness clubs, I have observed countless bad trainers. Its always driven me crazy and I'm sure it always will. I am a very "Results" oriented trainer. I am very matter of fact and to the point. I don't do small talk, I absolutely despise gossipers, meddlers, story fabricators, laziness, whining, spoiled brats, stay away from negative and pessimistic people, hate drama, mindless TV, or anything else that robs me of energy, productivity, or results that I aspire to achieve. I am constantly trying to set the sails of my ship to give more attention to things that matter. I'm not going to spend an hour of my time convincing someone that my opinion is right. That hour could be spent throwing ball with my two sons or having a phone conversation with my parents to let them know just how much I love them while they're still here. Its just an opinion. Everyone has the right to have one. Mine may work for me now, and heck, I may have an entirely different view tomorrow.

There was also a part in that last email that stated: "I am preaching to the choir" You guys get it. You all are doing it. I love the transformations that I've witnessed. I am not necesarrily referring to the physical. I've seen each of you grow in amazing ways. It fires me up to see people raise their own bars to levels they never deemd possible. It excites me to no end to see people take on a new hobby, step out of their comfort zone, and grab life by the horns. It excites me even more for those people to inspire and set the example for those around them. This is life changing stuff. We can all share in that. We are a family of support, motivation, and love. Lets join together in the pursuit to positively change the lives around us.

Oh yeah............ Don't forget tomorrow is the Firecracker 5k and 10k. It starts at 8am at the college. It should be a lot of fun, and I look forward to cheering you on!