Posts Tagged ‘Gen X’

Wellness Challenge?

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Wellness Challenge?  Today.  Tomorrow. Next week.  Next month. Next year.

Huh?  Exactly.  I need to remind myself of this every single day.

Wellness – physical well being – is not something that I can take lightly. Most people understand this.  And yet, the pressures of our lives can make it so challenging to be well, that we succumb to the pressure.

What happens next? We all know the answer to this, don’t we?

So, knowing the answer, what are we going to do about it?  What am I gonna do about it?  What are you going to do about it?  Today, I mean. Seriously.

What will your wellness challenge be today?  Carpe diem.

2009 World Championships

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Lane 8 @ 2009 World Championships

Lane 8 @ 2009 World Championships

Lane 8 at 2009 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.

That’s “Jack”, my son’s Teddy Bear. He has three exactly alike. He got them as gifts years ago.  The collar is actually inscribed “Jack”.

Our son was born in August 2000.  My Dad, Jack Noel, passed on, April 2001.

My Father, and our son, never met.  We were two months away from our trip to Pennsylvania when the phone call came, “They’re giving your dad three days”.

So, “Jack” the bear, has traveled extensively. He’s the one with two torn ears.  The other “Jacks” are in near perfect condition.  Our son was gracious enough to let the “tug-o-war with our yellow Lab” Jack travel.

Find a million ways, gimmicks, tricks – whatever it takes – to stay motivated.  Jack is simply one of them.

It’s Easier When…

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

It’s easier to exercise and eat sensibly during:

  • Youth – the full pressure of job, Family, mortgages is unknown
  • Mating season – (once we’ve mated, what’s the motivation?)
  • Wake up calls – motivating because of glaring consequences

The reality?  In the big scheme of life, youth lasts say 20 years, then fades quickly.

Humans are born to mate, like all living creatures.  Wake up calls may take a lifetime before they start arriving.

It’s all the other times in our lives that are the real challenge, the real key. Look around people.

Like I suggested a while back, “If aliens found Earth and gave us a pass/fail health grade, what would we get”?

Lane 8 You Tube video virus

Monday, September 14th, 2009

It’s amazing how difficult it is to stay focused over the long haul.

We’ve all seen people get motivated, set, and then achieve big health goals.  And then some time later, they fail.  They regress, almost predictably.

There’s a missing link. Staying there.

That’s where I come in. You will see, from my own struggle in real time, the simple secrets to long-term success. It amazes me how viral the right thing can become.

But you’re gonna have to want to follow. I can’t make you.  It’s completely up to you.  Always has been. Always will be.  Dream big. Get there.  STAY THERE!

Bonus: Another Lane 8 You Tube video found and placed in cyberspace – Australian Masters Athletics website.

No Expectations?

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

On the drive to Victory Martial Arts “Safety Demonstration” (recruiting) yesterday, I reminded our son there was no expectation that he enroll and take lessons.

All the children participated, even the first timers.  Our son eagerly lined up.  Surprisingly, two of his friends are members there and graciously welcomed him into the atmosphere.

Off to a great start and then somewhere in the middle it got more intense and he felt uncomfortable with his skill level, and returned to the audience with me.

I could not have been more proud.  He tried something.  He did his best.  I didn’t push him, even though I could have.  He’s nine.  How hard do you push yourself?  He’ll get were he needs to go.  Will you?

Maybe Today?

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

Maybe today is the day our son finds a physical activity that interests him. He is great on exercising his Mind.  Great with his Spirit. Decent on Money.

Body?  Well, he has a keen understanding of nutrition for a nine-year old. Much better than most adults.

Yesterday, after we pulled away from Twistee Treat, he asked me to call a number.  He said the first ten callers get a free t-shirt.

He passed the flyer up to me in the driver’s seat.  At the stoplight I quickly scanned it.

We were the fourth caller.  So today we go to Victory Martial Arts for a children’s safety demonstration, a t-shirt, and maybe something else.

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning? Although it may not seem so, it might be a good idea to watch this.  If you don’t have five minutes to spare on a day like today, maybe your life is too complicated.  Alan Jackson sings his beautiful tribute song:

This is why I pray without ceasing that someday soon, we can all live in Peace.

Lane 8 Needs Motivation

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Lane 8 Needs Motivation. Daily.  Period.

Ya with me?  DAILY.

Was reminded of that yesterday after giving a speech, a man asked me privately, “How do you motivate people”?

Without any hesitation, because it’s a common question, “If you want to motivate others, you need to be motivated yourself”.

It’s the first and only rule of motivation. Enthusiasm is the most contagious thing in the world.  The second most contagious thing in the world is the opposite.

The lack of enthusiasm.  Admit it or not, everyone takes their cue from you.

When you look in the mirror, are you a mountain or a molehill?

What Came First?

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

What came first?:

  1. The chicken or the egg
  2. The ostrich or the chicken
  3. Stick your head in the sand
  4. Chickensh!t

Does it even matter?  It does if you want to be an example instead of a warning.

“I don’t want to run unless I know I’ve done my best.  And the only way I know how to do that is to run flat out until I have nothing left. Running any other way is Chickenshit”!Steve Prefontaine

Same goes for life.

Guaranteed Instant Results

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Guaranteed Instant Results.  Get real.

Seriously.  We all want them. We all chase them.  There are even people who guarantee them.

But the craziest thing I’ve seen is that there are people who actually believe them.

Just yesterday, Labor Day, had a conversation with a friend and I told him I write these blogs for my son.

Yet perhaps, they are really written to myself.  You probably don’t understand this, but the real audience is me.

I need daily reinforcement that common sense only works if I make it common practice.  Period.

After writing for me and my son, these blogs are written for anyone else who wants to read.  But please don’t expect guaranteed results.