Is it time for you to Call the Man?

I say, “re-taught,” because this is one of those lessons that we all get the pleasure of being reminded of, over and over.

You’re lucky. As you’re receiving the benefit of my error. I’m sharing it so that you may avoid the mistake I’ve been making.

My story begins ten days ago, in the swimming pool, tossing my son into the air so he could make big splashes. With one heroic hoist with my good arm, I sent him hurling ten feet into the air (or so it seemed) and as he came splashing down my left ear went silent.

“Okay, I know this feeling,” I said to myself. “It’s just water clogged.”

For the entire time in the pool that day I tried unsuccessfully to release the pressure. It wouldn’t let go.

Later that night I finally gave up, hoping the morning would bring relief. It didn’t.

Virtually deaf in my left ear, head under pressure with a steady echo I began the next day and every day since.

During my week and a half of suffering with what became a depressing, life altering struggle I tried just about every home remedy known to man. I used drops, hot water rinses, decongestants to dry it up… I even used the infamous ear-candles that, if you’ve never seen or heard of them, really have to be experienced. Pretty wild…

I did it all with not even the slightest hint of release.

My general care doctor was convinced I had some sort of “inner ear tubal inflammation” that would need intensive anti-inflammatory treatment. I didn’t want any part of this.

I did however spend a few nights reading on the possible implications of having the potential ear problems that were being guessed at. Not good, not comforting at all.

Rather then medicate I opted to seek a closer inspection. After searching for an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat doc) that could see me sooner than three weeks, I finally found one close by. One who’s front desk support recognized that I’d been suffering for well over a week and said, “To heck with an appointment. Just come in tomorrow.”

How refreshing that was.

Sweet Relief

So, after ten days of silence and all sorts of failed trials, frustration, difficulty and subtle fear, the doctor took one look in my ear and said, “Ah, got it. I’ll have you out of here in two minutes.”

He promptly did his ear clearing magic thing and informed me it was just normal ear blockage that happens some times and the pressure packed it.

I could hear! I instantly felt alive again. It was the world in stereo.

Wild to think that something as small as a clogged up ear can take such a massive toll on my life, energy, and mood. There’s no doubt I was short tempered, not sleeping, unable to focus and depressed.

When the Doc relieved my pain so quickly, not only did I feel a ton better but I also a bit foolish.

“Wow! That’s all,” I said.

“Geeze… It could have been so much more,” I thought quietly, unsure if I was disappointed.

The truth is I needed it to be something more to justify the time and attention to take care of myself. It’s a crazy thing that your life depends on you but yet it can be so challenging to attend to the care and maintenance of one and the same.

Hopefully you’re hearing perfectly well at the moment—so you’re without that constant reminder that there’s something you need to take care of, something that’s keeping you down, holding you back in life that you’re not attending to at the moment.

I’m here to be of service. My experience reminded today that some times that thing we’re putting off, that area of life that needs a-fixing, isn’t as big a deal as we’ve made it to be.

Just by being attentive to what’s up, being pro-active and taking the time to ask for the help, to “call the man” when you need an expert or someone on your side can get your life back to crystal clear like my ears in no time.

The Life Lesson Is…

The life lesson I’m sharing is really a two for one. First, to take action when it’s time for action—not later.

Secondly, to “call the man,” the right expert when you need it. That may be a trainer when you need get fit, rather than going it alone on courage and a good book. That may be coach when you need a new path for your life or even a counselor when you’ve been struggling hearing each other in your relationship for too long.

Whatever the case may be in your life, you know there’s something you’ve been putting off for too long.

Please accept this invitation, my somewhat embarrassing reminder of knowing when it’s time to stop delaying and “call the man.”

Now is the right time.

The photo? B-cause it makes me smile = feel good!

I love feeling great—And right now I’m not.

I’ve got this “ear thing” going on. Caught some little bug when I was in the doc’s office with my son getting his check-up and my left ear just clogged up. Then it became the whole left side of my head and sinus.

It’s not enough to do much about, doesn’t feel like it’s getting worse but it’s also not getting better. So I awake each morning with congestion, a mild headache and nearly deaf in my left ear.

While it’s clearly in my head, literally and figuratively, it’s more a pain in the ass than anything. I’m not running for antibiotics but after a week of this at about exactly the same place it’s getting irritating.

So I’m standing here in the shower listening to the water hit my head like the sound of rain on a car roof. And while it is a somewhat melodic tone I’d still really like to be free of this ailment—I’d like to be well, fully. I know this won’t kill me, but it is enough to zap my energy, take my sleep, and make my head foggy. It has an accumulative affect.

But I see the perfection in this ailment. While I’m longing to be back at Full Strength, without times of feeling “less than well,” I would not know what “Great!,” feels like. If I always felt unstoppable and strong it would just be what is and I’d never give it a thought. Like a fish relates to water, I would not have the appreciation for I’d not recognize it.

I think the same goes for any tragedy. When people face loss and failure, it can have the affect of helping us become more present and appreciate life as it is. The more devastating the loss the more powerful the call to “wake up and smell the roses” can be. This is the hidden gift that’s so easily overlooked when we’re struck by tragedy and loss.

Life challenges us—its’ pressure forges us stronger like fire and pressure strengthen the steal for the sword.

Good news is you need NOT get sick to appreciate being well, nor do lose everything to appreciate financial freedom. Life is not committed to your pain or suffering. What it’s nudging you for is attention—you absolute full presence in the moment. When you drift too far into future fantasy or back into past memories, it’ll slap your knuckles to pull you back to this moment.

And yet, even when you are alive and awake to the present, living in full gratitude of each moment, these things will still happen. For some amount of tragedy and triumph are an integral part of the balance of life.

The question, and the challenge, is; will you embrace them from a position of Strength and accept the opportunity to be even more grateful, even more present, even more of your absolute truest, fullest self? Or will you shrink away, carry the burden, live with regret and become your own worst enemy?

What’s Your Kryptonite?

As one of life’s greatest and most reliable gifts are obstacles, I ask you to consider: what pain, limitation, or belief are you tolerating now that is preventing you from living at full strength?

Most all of us are quietly suffering with something in our lives every day. It’s zapping our strength, limiting our potential, holding us back—it’s our Kryptonite. That powerful, mysterious, yet invisible force that’s zapping our Strength and energy.

You’ve come to learn to ignore it, to live with it, or to tolerate or pretend it’s not that big an issue.

It’s what I’ve been doing with my left ear for over a week now. I ignored the discomfort and finally this morning I decided to at least get it open again and get my hearing back. And it worked. I can hear again.

I feel so much better. Now, I’ve not 100% resolved whatever I’ve had but I’m on the road back. I’m doing something about it—and that’s where it all begins. I began by acknowledging my discomfort and, rather than overlooking the problem, I faced my own weakness.

What’s the invisible Kryptonite in your life that you’ve been tolerating long enough? What limitation are you ready to give up, to abandon?

Are you carrying around an extra twenty pounds that you know is weighing you down like an anchor but it’s not critical enough to do anything about…yet?

Have you been tolerating living with just enough energy to get out of bed? Are you letting stress be the master in your life? Are you surrounded by friends and family that you’ve not effectively enrolled to support the vision you have for yourself?

Have you gradually let your strength, energy and self-image slide as you focused on “more productive” pursuits like making money? Are you done feeling less powerful, confident, capable and energized than you should?

Today is the day to get the Kryptonite out of our pockets and start on the path to the Full Strength Life?

You could wait for a really special event—maybe even something tragic or frightening like your own near death experience. But the reality is that every day is a near death experience, so any moment you wish to grab hold of your full strength life, the reasons are real, inspiring and already waiting for you.

The First Step

Step #1 on the path to your Full Strength Life is recognizing and naming your Kryptonite. Let’s cross procrastination off our list and do this one thing today. Even better, now.

What’s your kryptonite? What’s silently, quietly and invisibly holding you back from your full strength life?

Please do share…

The Transformation of Eric Simpson

At 45, Eric’s experienced enough to know how downright difficult and unfair life can seem to be at times and he’s also able to fully embrace just how powerful, and truly Transforming this new life is. What we see, what catches the eye, as is almost always the case, is the “before and afters” of his body. But when you’ve seen the story, heard it in Eric’s own words you know that the new, more energized body is simply icing on the cake. It’s great window dressing but nothing compared to the stunning Transformation he’s achieved in his family, career and LIFE.

That’s the tricky thing about “Transformation” and all manner of fitness plans. People get to thinking it’s about the body, that we need to change the way we look and the rest of it will come along happily. But unfortunately, it’s usually the case the a breaking down, tired, worn out body is a window to the inner self and life of a person and life in dis-repair. Hence, trying to fix the outside when your broken from the inside is like trying to fill a cup with a hole in the bottom. It can’t hold the coffee until you plug the hole.

If you have the aching sense that it’s time for some things in your life to change, perhaps it’s time for a Transformation. Even if it is just a need to get your body leaner, fitter and stronger… the end result will almost always include getting some things you didn’t even think about in order, and working in your favor.

If you want to know what Transformation is about, listen to Eric’s story, watch the his inspiring story on video. It’s flat amazing and moving.

To Your Life @ Full Strength,

Shawn

Eric's Transformation Success Story Video

With recent concern about the purity and safety of several popular protein powders and shakes set in motion by the recent Consumer Reports article, it’s comforting to know there’s one true premium nutrition shake.

Hand-built with only the finest, highest quality ingredients, under the most meticulous care and attention no other manufacturer would attempt, Full Strength is pure, premium nutrition you can count on, every single day.

While I have several issues with the Consumer Reports analysis and commentary that triggered this scare (which I’ve be vocal about here), this news is not only devastating to the products in question, but it unfortunately impacts the entire sector of proteins, powders, shakes and drinks.

Yet with the dark storm clouds looming I have to admit I’m feeling a bit of excitement—for the challenge that most protein and nutrition shakes face, presents a terrific opportunity for Full Strength to shine.

We’ve accepted the challenge and responsibility so that you are can live free from worry about quality, purity and reliability—we’ve done the worrying in advance, handling every detail of each batch we create.

While making the common vitamin capsule is about as complex as heating a Pop-Tart, creating a nutrition shake is more like launching the Space Shuttle. In creating Full Strength we understand and accept the complexity of the challenge so that our giant leap in quality is one small step for your life performance.

Whereas most nutrition shakes are but one of a company’s suite of several dozen products—usually an afterthought—Full Strength is all we do. It’s our flagship, our intention, an expression of excellence in every shake.

You see, most nutrition shakes are built from a recipe that does not specify the source of each ingredient. This means for most companies “cocoa powder” for a chocolate shake is all the same. They purchase solely on price and availability. Compelled by a focus on profits over quality, the recipe quickly becomes a “copy of a copy”—a certain recipe for mediocrity.

On the other hand, Full Strength is built with the artistry and passion of a fine wine or fine art. We do what we do better than anyone else in the world. Full Strength is our “Mona Lisa moment.”

We personally oversee every step of the creation process. We know there is only one cocoa supplier of the quality we demand with the finish and taste required for Full Strength. We use a specific premium source only—with cocoa, as well as with every ingredient.

Vigilant in our standards, we require assays on each ingredient that goes into every delicious batch, followed by detailed post-production third-party analysis to ensure a consistent, nutritious, extraordinary experience in every serving. Hence the true “hand-built” nature of Full Strength.

I am steadfast and resolute in my confidence assuring you that Full Strength is free from all concerns of contamination from the toxins and heavy metals that were cited in the Consumer Reports story. In order to put your mind further at ease, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Full Strength has been put through thorough analysis, searching for the same heavy metals Consumer Reports found.

The results, analyzed by a fully accredited lab in the state of California, show zero traces of any of the feared metals.

The Full Strength Lab Results Show Zero Heavy Metal


These results are yet another testament to Full Strength, its premium formulation, ingredient sourcing, pre-production assays, and stringent quality-controls throughout our small-batch blends. But even more so our commitment to creating the best life-enhancing nutrition money can buy, at any price.

So while others run around in fear and concern, blend yourself a delicious Full Strength, sit back in comfort, with confidence, knowing that the only side effects you should keep your eyes out for are: More muscle, less bodyfat, more energy and all the lifestyle empowering results that the Oklahoma Study showed. [University of Oklahoma Full Strength Results]

I invite you to step out of the fear and confusion and into your Life at Full Strength.

If you’ve not experienced the Full Strength difference, I urge you to listen to me but trust yourself and try it. You get the shipping and I’ll send you, absolutely FREE, a couple Full Strength shakes to taste it and more importantly feel the strength and energy.

Grab Your Full Strength Samples Here…

To Your LIFE @ Full Strength,

Shawn
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The Seaweed Diet... for Real?

It was the top local morning radio show, Lewis & Floorwax on 103.5 Fox in Denver. I’m on the show a few times a year and the guys have come to rely on me for straight, no BS answers to everything health and fitness. So when they’ve got a question they ring me up.

This morning’s LIVE, on the spot question was on the Seaweed Diet. Yes, the Seaweed diet… a guy who called in had told the duo that he’d lost 22 pounds in 4 weeks (maybe 6, not sure) by eating 2 ounces of seaweed a day! Wait! That’s not all. His claim continued with, “…and I’ve lost the weight without changing anything I’m eating or adding exercise. I’m still eating all the cheeseburgers, soda pop and candy I want.”

Here’s what I had to say about this so-called “seaweed diet”:

First of all, as far as I know there really is not “Seaweed Diet,” yet. I think that was just how he’s referring to this wackiness as but then again, he had to get this somewhere. Lord help us if there is because it is just the sort of obtuse, extreme, weirdness that the human mind likes to grab and hold on to. Thus, if it’s not out there, expect it to be soon.

Hence, you can consider this advance warning.

The first BS Alarm in any diet, pill or miracle cure is the line, “and I can eat anything I want still.” First off, short of a stick of TNT in rear, eating anything you want, doing exactly what you’ve been doing will get you exactly the results you’ve been getting. Thus, on hearing this I get an instant red flag.

The red flag gets me to pondering what this guys intention is. Is he just setting up some viral marketing? Does he have some intent to benefit from this story? To this I have no answer but it’s a question that can be helpful to reflect on.

Now, I don’t believe for a moment that seaweed has some miracle weight loss powers and that some overweight guy in Denver just discovered. Nope, nor working.

But, let’s say for a moment that this guy actually believes–I mean 100% believes–what he’s saying and he has no ulterior motive, why might he be experiencing this weight loss? The answer is in the question: He believes.

If he believes that seaweed works, if it gives him hope then it can have an impact. That impact may be that he’s having to pay attention to eating something, the same thing, every day. And that thing he’s eating is not a normal food and thus it focused his attention and in some way wakes him up to eating, to his experience, to life. The wake up to eating, the sense of having done something good for myself, the awareness in itself could easily all come together to effect the way he’s showing up in life.

If he’s got more hope, he will behave differently–without effort. This likely includes making subtle choices that are better for him, eating less without the sense of sacrifice or diet. With belief, hope and awareness on his side he’s already a stronger, more empowered man.

So, from his perspective he’s not changed a thing because he’s not taken the usual path of suffering and sacrifice. Still, he’s eating better and who knows, maybe even moving more, doing more. The changes are subtle and no off major effort so he feels like the thing he believes in, the seaweed, is the source of it all. Technically, that’s a case of projection–he’s unknowingly projecting his own power and Strength on to the seaweed. Sounds sort of funny but that’s the way it works for most of us. Well, not with seaweed but we are all inclined to find an object or person that we can project out power on to so we can deal with it.

For, and I quote, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.” ~ Maryanne Williamson.

Okay, enough psychology for now.

What we have here, once again, assuming the absolute best for this guys story, is a case of The Placebo Effect. The the power of belief is very real and should you ever doubt it, consider that the placebo, which is used as a standard control in pharmaceutical studies, outperforms that drug in study better than 50% of the time. That makes the placebo the most tested, proven and wildly successful “drug” available anywhere to anyone.

Other possibilities for this weight loss anomaly may be that the seaweed is acting like bulk and fiber. Once again, making a slight shift in his digestion and appetite. Let’s face it, 22 lbs off a nearly 330 lbs man, while a great start could easily be achieved through some very moderate shifts in eating habits and lifestyle.

And one last possibility is that seaweed, which is likely a type of kelp, is rich in iodine. One of the causes of hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is a deficiency of iodine. Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland to produce thyroxin, the thyroid hormone.

If the gentlemen in question were suffering, unknowingly, from hypothyroidism as the result of iodine deficiency and started eating seaweed… well, yeah, you got it. Hello Houdini!

Even if this were the case and he accidentally resolved a nutrient deficiency by eating seaweed wouldn’t it better nice to know it? Personally, I’d much rather know how change was affected and how to control it then wind up spend years of my life building a tribute to the seaweed God.

There’s my take on this story. There are a number of ways to explain the declared weight loss. All possible but I’m still leaning towards the first response. B.S!

Here’s to your LIFE @ Full Strength!

Shawn

P.S. Want a more honest, effective and authentic way to lose weight? Check out these: The 8 Universal Keys to Weight Loss.

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Chapter 5: Basecamp: The Reboot

When was the last time you woke up fully rested—eager and energized to start your day? Think back; perhaps it was day six of a seven-day vacation that you were last in balance, enjoying your natural flow of energy.

As rare as this surplus of energy is for most, think of how a child awakens each day. My young son, Nathaniel, pops out of bed every morning with his tank full. No need for a Grande coffee or anything to get him going. He’s ready and eager to greet the thrilling day ahead.

What was the first sound you heard this morning when you awoke? Was it a radio station blasting or the screeching sound of an alarm buzzer tossing your cells into their own alarm state? For most of us living The American Dream, it’s a moderate voltage wake-up followed by our favorite brew, a shower and whatever it takes to get us back on the warrior path.

We’ve become so accustomed to living in a fatigued, compromised energy state brought on by chronic stress that we fail to consider it could be any other way. It’s become the norm. And many actually embrace it, using it to get them moving. This chronic stress drains us from the inside, stealing our energy and vitality. Combined with poor nutrition and lack of sleep, as it often is, you’ve got a recipe for physical, mental and emotional depletion—a virtual house of cards ready to collapse at any moment.

Then one day, elevated by a sense of urgency, you decide from your over-stressed, over-committed state that now is the time to get in shape. You take on a fitness plan in hopes to correct this physical wreck in mid-collision.

“Sure, you can do it all,” you try to convince yourself. The Big Red “S” carefully concealed on your chest, you dive into a Transformation—like you’d dive into a swimming pool—and in your overstressed state your body responds as if you’ve dived in with both hands tied behind your back and cement galoshes on. To your great astonishment you sink like a rock, only to blame the water, not your compromised state and lack of preparation.

Enter into a Transformation physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted and your results will reflect your depleted state. You’ll likely wind up another casualty of the mysterious “loss of motivation or discipline.” A causality on the fitness expressway.

There is a better way. You can and must get your body and mind working with you and for you before you’ll enjoy the sort of Transformation success you’ve envisioned or desired.

NEXT: [PART 2] Why People Fail to Transform

Is Success All You Imagine?

Success is the pinnacle, it’s what we crave.

I believe success is broken—an outdated pursuit that has been the result of more dissatisfaction, confusion, disillusionment and emptiness than we may truly ever understand.

We spend out lives justifying our vigilant pursuit of success while secretly hanging on to the fantasy that when we catch it, we’ll live happily ever after.

Fast forward: A man standing surrounded by piles of stuff, evidence of his enormous success—slowly scanning the room searching for that mysterious “thing” which is missing.

The some-thing missing is a feeling that was believed to be one with the success. Where is that good feeling?

When you looked into your future, envisioning your success it was assumed that satisfaction, pride and self-confidence would come with it as sure as water comes with ice.

Yet, instead of lasting fulfillment the success breads the need for more of the same—as if no deposits have been made—like a slice of cake leads you to crave more. So you are compelled to forge on, over the next peak to see if it doesn’t hold the view—and the feeling—you were searching for.

For most people the “piles of success” never reach such astounding levels as to provoke this reflection. Yet, we’re in the same boat—striving for the finish line, the success that will give it all meaning and justify the price you’re paying.

Success Sucks!

Yes, you read that right.

Are you kidding? Success can’t suck…

Ah, but when you arrive at the destination of your dreams, that you’ve slaved your life away for, only to discover the part that you most desired is absent, that sucks!

The inherent problem with success is that it’s externally driven.

Success is by definition “other defined.” It’s publicly recognized and endorsed achievement. It’s the applause for the athlete’s winning shot, the approval for the straight-A student, the award for the business making the most money.

Success is what you and I are supposed to do, it’s what works, what gets ahead in this world. Success is life porn.

Don’t get me wrong, success isn’t wrong or bad. In fact, I am certain it’s served us well to strive during the recovery from the great depression or after the WWII. These were times of where rugged independence was necessary and shaping the world.

But then I’d suggest an entire generation of “boomers,” simply picked up the belief that success was it, the gold medal for life, ran with it as an absolute truth.

The New Measure of Significance

If not success, what?

I give you, “Satisfaction!”

Where success is the what, the things, Satisfaction is the experience of, the feelings.

Success exists in and for others, satisfaction is personal. Satisfaction is as fulfilling as success can be fleeting. Success can be sold or traded, Satisfaction is indivisible from you—always with you.

Where success was the measure, I contend that “Satisfaction” is the gauge of a new generation—a generation searching less for the “thing” and more for the experience and meaning.

As Success becomes increasingly empty, requiring more and more success; satisfaction is compounding. The more you get, the more you have. It may fade but never evaporates.

Satisfaction is not in the size of the achievement or the magnitude but in the art of doing—it’s in giving your all, doing your best, investing of yourself. You can’t get satisfaction from winning the lottery, nor I imagine, from Wall Street slight of hand that makes you millions, while costing others millions.

Success can be addictive, satisfaction strengthening and freeing. For Satisfaction affirms you are enough, sound and capable. It’s about you. While success is about the stuff you are worth, have, or collected. Built in to this value proposition is the belief that you’re never enough—only that you have lots of stuff.

Success can be found flexing in less than your underwear in hopes of winning approval. Satisfaction is an intense, deeply cleansing, soul shaking workout; a 40 mile hill climb on your bike that pushed you to new limits, a run that pushed you beyond.

One of the most telling differences is that satisfaction can be found in quiet moments, alone. And of course, satisfaction can be found in success—it’s just not necessarily present.

As you may have already captured, Satisfaction is what was missing from the man standing amidst his piles of success.

Mystery solved.

How’d you end up with this “pile of success” sans the satisfaction in the first place?

Simple. When you set out to get what you wanted—what you thought you wanted, you did what 99.9% of us do; defined the success and attached the satisfaction as a given; squashing the two together flat as a pancake.

Then you promptly set course, full speed ahead, for Success. Not knowing that the “stuff” could even came without the “sauce.”

What’s the Satisfaction Solution?

I’m a huge fan of success—go for it, win, achieve, succeed. But do so with your eyes wide open.

Untangle Success and Satisfaction before you’re any further down the road.

Seek satisfaction, nurture it and it you. Strengthen your focus and intention to bring satisfaction into your life and watch success take care of itself.

Ignore what others believe is right or wrong for you. Satisfaction effortlessly arises when you’re aligned with your passion, purpose and ability.

You needn’t end global warming or secure world peace to feel the flow of satisfaction. It could be you enjoy engaging with people, changing or improving lives. It all pays the same when you’re rating it on your satisfaction and joy, the currency of your life.

Sure, not every career will pay the same. Some rich in satisfaction may be low in status but when you focus on what you love, your expression of joy you will become a shining light attracting all you desire in life. And all people, the wealthy and not, are drawn to the brightest, most illuminating spirits.

Do what brings you joy and your spirit soars, success naturally follows.

Satisfaction is the good feeling—aim for that good feeling and let the piles of success flow.

Here’s to your most satisfying life.

Work, family, life; dare I add in health, fitness, community? Life is demanding of your energy and presence.

In this increasingly demanding world we profess to inhabit, it’s not surprising that it gets to the point that even getting away can be exhausting.

To be exhausted is to be “empty, totally used up, deprived, depleted.” And from my own experience that’s just how it feels.

Exhausted happens. Some times it just can’t be prevented but, by and large, I suggest it’s the result of deeply engrained behavior patterns that don’t work for us, have never worked and will never work.

Exhausted literally means that we/you worked until there was nothing left and that means nothing was put back in. All energy, focus has been flowing one way: Out.

And here’s the tricky part: Who’s the one responsible for putting it back in? Is it the people, the employees, the customers, the family you’re sacrificing for or you?

Yep. You got it. It’s you.

Sacrifice is a concept that we, as a society, have developed a long standing co-dependent relationship with: On one hand we believe we are noble warriors and servants when we sacrifice ourselves, our time and our attention for others. On the other, we rarely, if ever, really do it without expecting a price to be paid for it.

It’s under the guise of “selfless service” and then we angrily victimize ourselves and expect others to pay us God-like respect and admiration or tolerate the brunt of our lashings because, “You have to, I have sacrificed for you.”

It’s the line we’ve heard a hundred times in movies and life, the parent telling the teenager, “You don’t know how I’ve sacrificed for you.”

And the rebuttal, which is proof there is wisdom in youth (or at least movies), “No you didn’t! You chose to do what you did because you assumed a role of responsibility, because you chose to be here and I don’t owe you for what you were supposed to do as a parent.”

Well, that’s a lot, but the gem there is “choice.” You can choose to drain and deplete yourself but if you make that choice of your own free will, if you do it mindfully then there’s no one who’s going to have to or will be required to pay for that.

What this means, when you remove the pay-off, you will also remove the incentive. There’s no longer a positive feedback loop, a righteous stance of superiority to make you feel justified in your sacrifice. And guess what that means? You got it. Cut off the feedback and you will most likely stop the sacrifice and exhaustion.

Exhaustion costs you, it costs your company, it costs your family and it costs your children. It’s a poor lesson to be teaching to anyone, least of all your children.

So what’s the opposite of exhaustion? Energized, engaged, present, focused. Or @ full strength.

The opposite of sacrifice is self-care. To put yourself first is to put others first—that’s the great irony. For when you are depleted, when you are compromised and exhausted others lose many times over.

It’s the wisdom of the airline survival instructions: When the oxygen masks drop, place yours on first before assisting others (those deemed to be weaker or less capable passengers). We all get the sense of this, so how about we take this logic and apply it to your daily life.

Self Care Is Yours
Putting yourself first for an hour a day can make more time, amplify your results, productivity, and most importantly, happiness exponentially. It doesn’t cost you time, it creates time.

It needn’t be anything drastic, no dramatic life shifts. Just get over the story, become aware of the model of sacrifice and your pay-off—what you’re expecting from others in return. Then add some “you” time. Nourish your body and mind with intention and awareness.

One of the most destructive, disrespectful patterns the busy man or woman can get into is eating without mind. That’s eating on the go, doing whatever you need to quiet hunger without attention to nutrition. Not only is it debilitating you today and killing you tomorrow, it’s sending a powerful message to your subconscious that you’re not valued, not important.

Eat for nourishment with awareness. For 10 tips on how to do this effortlessly see my “10 Practices for Nutritional Freedom” from my book Strength for Life.

Eat foods that are time and calorie economical, but nutrient rich. One of the most effective daily rituals for the busy man is a nutrition shake specifically tailored not just to build muscle or body but to elevate the mind, nourish your body and generate hours of focused freedom. That’s just what the clinically proven Full Strength shake is engineered to do.

With the rest of your time add movement. Exercise and train your body and when you’re not doing either of these, take a brisk walk, get your energy moving and awaken your mind.

I also recommend another practice from Strength for LIFE, the 5 minute morning gratitude practice. This simple practice of thinking and journaling a focus of gratitude each day can shift your state, presence and focus in a powerful, transformative way. Try it.

Here’s to you making the choice to abandon the exhausted, weakened state and choose the opposite, life from a position of Strength.

If you didn’t get the original invite check it out here.

Before I turn into a pumpkin–hopefully a lean, fit, strong one–thought I’d get in this quick summary of the day.

First good news is I am moving on to day #2, which implies today has been a success. I’ve successfully maneuvered ALL the requirements for a successful Basecamp day.

- I am “Sugar FREE” all day : YES!
- I’m wheat/breads free : YES!
- I’m dairy Free today : YES!
- I’ve had not a drop of wine of spirits: YES!

Not to suggest I didn’t have temptation. When the kids had a cookie this evening after dinner (a good healthy homemade one) I could feel the pull. And last week I’d have just joined them, without a thought. That’s how one’s eating just begins to unravel over time.

My Day in The Rear View

Training : 40 minutes on bike-trainer for 10 miles.

Meal 1: Full Strength Vanilla w/ Salba added

Meal 2: 1/2 curry chicken wrap with some salad

Meal 3: same as above

Meal 4: Amazing dinner of Salmon, salad, green beans, little rice

Meal 5: small (cutie) orange and hard boiled egg

Can’t say for sure how many calories that was but it’s not a heavy day. And ultimately the Basecamp Reboot isn’t about counting calories or dieting.

That’s all for now… more in the AM. Now to go score my required 7 hours sleep!

If you missed that one, it’s worth a look because A) It’s great and absolutely true and B) It will offer some texture to this message.

Following the dinner with Mr. Billionaire (mentioned in previous post) I was discussing with my friends the fine line between success and failure when one of my friends says,

“We spend our life growing-up, trying to get an ‘A’. Then we opt to be our own boss to aim for the achievement of being a self-made successful man—and find ourselves acting out our life of training, aiming for A’s on everything.”

What an excellent point!

Consider the the highest paid athletes in the world are celebrated if they can hit a ball 2-3 times in 10. And even more so if they hit it out of the park 4-5 times in a 100.

Then imagine the self-defeating paralysis an athlete would get into if their standard was 90%. It’s not realistic for them but we expect near perfection here, with our own lives.

The typical driven performer or entrepreneur is carrying his most pressuring parent on one shoulder and his most demanding professor on another—trying to prove his worth by getting an A while telling himself, and everyone else who will listen that he’s swinging for the fences.

Think about it. It’s just not possible. Right. You can’t be trying to be good enough, aka safe, and let ‘er rip at the same time. No one ever hit a home run without being fully relaxed and present to the swing.

I’ve no doubt it feels like you’re swinging “hard!” It should because it is hard to swing at all when you’re worried about performance, about making the cut.

My experience tells me that most of us who haven’t come to allow or even embrace failure are still short-arming it, muscling the ball and really just trying to get a few balls in play–regardless of the heroic story we’ve made up to feel better about our lack of compassion and constriction.

How’s your swing at success going? Are “trying hard” to not miss a ball or are you having fun, swinging freely and truly expecting a few home runs?

What’s your experience? I’d love to hear…