Fitness, Business, Fitness Business, & Achieving Life Goals

I had an Epiphany a while back that I decided to share with you… working for someone else is like renting your apartment.

Many people may live in an apartment all of their lives (I did for most of mine), and that is perfectly fine as long as that’s what they want, but we also realize that financially speaking, you aren’t building equity in an apartment. The money I payed for rent and any of the improvements I made on past apartments were lost each time I moved.

Working for someone else is like that. Many people may work for others all of their lives, and that is perfectly fine as long as that’s what they want. It does offer a paycheck, opportunities to learn and grow in the business (depending on who you work for), and probably some social interaction, but you aren’t building equity in your job. Managers, owners, and economies can change at the drop of a hat. Then, suddenly, you’re out of a job.

Owning your own company on the other hand, like buying a house, allows you to build equity in that business that you can later have someone else run and still make money. Or you can sell it and use the proceeds to retire or invest in a new company. If that’s your dream, then you need to start your own business.

Now, before people get up in arms and say, “Easier said then done.” let me say, “I know.” If it was easy, everyone would have their own company. It takes a vision, planning, finding capital, and endless hard work in the start up. Wouldn’t it be worth it though?

Those of you that know me may also say, “But you work for a company.” I know. I do. But not solely. I have side businesses that, if I chose to, or needed to, I could do full time. I’m also working on two major business plans and will launch one within the next year that will create that business equity I’ve been talking about. (I’ll reveal more about them at a later date.)

What about you? Where does your future lie?

Best of luck, Mark

OK, I know… weird title. But the point is that day after day I hear people say they’re getting too old for this or that. More often than not this is coming from someone who’s a good deal younger than I am. What a cop out! I, on the other hand, am happy to announce that I’m fifty and have fifty years more in which I’ll be kicking the backsides of those half my age. I will concede that my I need reading glasses now, have a touch of gray in my hair, and I have more aches and pains than I used to. That does come with getting beyond youth. My health and abilities are exceptional, however. Why shouldn’t everyone’s be? The majority of people set their sites too low. Maybe they campare themselves to their parents at that age or they can’t imagine changing their lifestyles and becoming so much more. I’m here to say that if you care enough (sound familiar?), you can have a whole new life after 50. Without putting a ceiling on it, what would you like to do in the next 50 years? What would it take to acheive it and what’s stopping you from acheiving it? Join me in getting better every year. Mark

With all of the possible program and product opportunities just waiting to be created by us, you can’t let your own search for perfection keep you from getting it out before it’s out dated or someone else beats you to it.

In the past I’ve had some great ideas (and I do mean Great) for training equipment, programs, and businesses that I needed to make perfect before I would put it out. Lo and behold, while I had my head in the sand fine-tuning, someone else beat me to it.

I’ve learned from that. Be quick to prototype. For example, now I’ll put out what I believe to be a good program, see how it goes, then correct what needs to be corrected. Most times people don’t need perfect. They are happy with good and thrilled when it gets even better. My first attempt at video blogging is is another example. The lighting is poor, I look like hell, and the sound is weak at best. But, it was timely to the NSCA conference and I knew I’d get feedback to help me make it better next time.

Don’t hesitate. Don’t let perfect get in the way of good. Put out your good attempt and then refine it as you gather additional information.

Happy creating! Mark

OK, this is my first attempt at a video blog. I know that the lighting could have been better. I just wanted you to see the background. And boy, it’s not very forgiving, but what the heck.

And I’m not talking about the business. An article that came out Sunday in the New York Times discusses the cost of overweight and obese employees in businesses. The costs of absenteeism, workman’s compensation, etc. is astounding.

“Obesity costs companies $45 billion a year. Obese people tend to miss work more often and tend to be less mobile on the job than their thinner counterparts.” “Obesity is also a more powerful trigger for chronic health problems than either smoking or heavy drinking.” states the article.  Obesity in the Workplace

Who should be stepping up to help? Well the obvious answer is the individual should be, but most need help in making it happen. If companies were wise, they would be investing in corporate wellness/fitness programs. The wise Personal Trainer or health club would be putting together programming for businesses to address those needs.

Think about that. What a need to be filled. What a niche to capture.

Mark

Sometimes when we’re trying to break through a plateau, choosing one day a week to go beyond your normal level can really help. Something a couple of my clients and I have done is to set a challenge day for ourselves. We have “1000 calorie Wednesday”. (I like Wednesday as a challenge day because you aren’t worrying about it on Sunday and messing up your weekend.) On every Wed. we all accumulate 1000 calories burned on any combination of cardio equipment we choose. This is not to say that everyone should be shooting for 1000 calorie expenditure, but to add in some kind of challenge day to push beyond what you normally do. 1000 calories is about 25-30% more than our typical workout. Soon, your other days don’t seem so hard and you can increase your intensity a little on those days as well.

Create your own “_____ calorie Wednesday” and kick it up a notch.

Good Luck, Mark

I hear it all of the time. People feel guilty about blowing their diet or feel defeated because they attempted something new and it didn’t work. Whether it’s diet, dating, quitting smoking, or starting your own business, it’s amazing how guilt and feelings of inadequacy can cripple someone’s chances at success.

Everyone slips. It’s natural. It should be expected, but often times it’s not. Then, when you do slip, you feel guilty and defeated for having failed. You think of how you’re a loser. You can’t do anything. So, why bother. Let’s just end the humiliation right here and now.

Guilt and regret are wasteful emotions. They serve no purpose other than to make you feel miserable and stop you from succeeding. Get rid of them. Making a mistake is an opportunity to do better. Learn from it. Plan for it. How could you avoid that particular mistake again? If you have never failed, you have never really challenged yourself and you will never reach your full potential.

The next time you slip up, start again, right then. Even if you’re in the middle of a self-doubt spiral, stop and focus. Ask yourself what’s important. Tell yourself that you can do it. Start again, and again, and again.

A little video about failure…

This is the first time I’ve tried to embed a YouTube video. So, in case it doesn’t work, this is the link CLICK HERE.