Click here to read about the most legendary coach of all time. You won’t recognize his name, but his record of accomplishment will blow you away.
The only reason you are invited, and encouraged, to read it is because most have never heard of this remarkable coach, his vision, his habits, his life. Soon enough, he will fade away, along with his amazing accomplishments.
This really is your only opportunity. Your life is too busy to come back. Being excellent at what you do requires you to work harder than the people who are good and very good at what you do.
So why do it now? Because if you don’t have time now, you won’t have it later either. This is the way life works and why those who are excellent develop a “do it now” habit.
Excellent people also know that their next best idea can come from others who are extraordinarily excellent.
Why? Because it could hold a simple angle or simple tactic to your success. But you may never know….
Ever struggle with your motivation to exercise or with making smart food choices?
(If you said no, you’re lying)
Yesterday while at Gold’s Gym Orlando, I asked one of the staff, “What is it that makes some people commit to exercise for a lifetime and others quit after a few weeks?”
What do you think? How would you answer it?
I suggested that we can not do it for ourselves, we must do it for someone else. If we fail, we only let ourselves down. But if we do it for someone else and we fail, we let them down.
The other person challenged my rational (which is exciting), and in the speed of the day, neither one of us, in this casual conversation, really had a desire to debate this further at that moment.
Yet on the drive home, what I had been trying to say was revealed. We need to be a role model for great health habits. This is the secret that eludes people.
You must be someone’s role model, for life. This means you can not fail. There is no greater motivation.
If this is flying over your head, you’re at huge risk to miss this simple, but compelling health secret.
What is it about the Olympics that stirs our soul and lifts our spirit?
Perhaps it the same as admiring a priceless work of art, or a magnificently built cathedral, or listening to a brilliantly written and performed song, or dining on a meal prepared by the finest chefs.
It could even be tonight’s sunset, or tomorrow’s sunrise.
Whatever it is, I believe it is critical to harness this passion.
This is passion for “art”, in all it’s forms. This passion is what stirs our souls and lifts our spirits.
And whatever it is, we must find it, grab tight, and never let go.
The time for letting will eventually come, and hopefully, we will be ready.
Rita Hanscom was selected as Master’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2009.
Rita Hanscom (San Diego, Calif.): Named World Masters Athlete of 2009 by the IAAF and World Masters Athletics after winning five gold medals in Lahti and setting a world record in the W55 heptathlon. She’s a deputy attorney general for the state of California.
The photo above is from the 2009 Master’s Track & Field Outdoor World Championships in Lahti, Finland. It was a privilege to meet Rita and her son and daughter.
In Finland, there was a sense of community and fellowship among the 5,300 athletes from 80 countries. It’s challenging to explain. It was unique, competitive, healthy and vibrant, supportive. Amazingly supportive.
Who couldn’t use as much of that that the law will allow, in pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
USATF Press Release, February 8, 2010: United States Largest Master’s Track & Field Indoor World Championships Ever, heading to Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
Click here to read the official USATF Press Release.
The past few weeks have been a painful reminder how challenging it is to stay motivated. Most of us can eventually find a compelling reason(s) to get healthy.
Few of us find compelling, long-term reasons.
That is why it is essential to figure out a million ways to stay motivated. A million. Are ya with me. Succeed or fail. There is no middle ground.
Yesterday’s blog post about bread and high fiber is really part of everyday life for my Family. Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), has taught us to pay much closer attention to fiber, hydration and a host of other high fibers food choices.
Just yesterday, coincidentally, this article “10 Tips to Better Digestive Health” arrived via email from our free Everyday Health subscription. Click here to read. They’re common sense and serve as a reminder that good health is not that complicated.
Once again tonight, the TV was on while I was in the vicinity, doing the evening things American families do. I don’t sit and watch TV, unless it’s American Idol, and even then it’s iffy.
But Diane Sawyer was talking about First Lady Michelle Obama announcing big plans to fight childhood obesity.
Childhood obesity? Are you kidding me!!!! For real?
How the hel heck is that possible?
We all know why, and there’s an old saying that proves this “fact”.
“The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
The best way to help our children is to help ourselves. We adults are in for the fight of our lives, if we really want to be a great health example. And if we don’t have the fight of your lives….
When do we think about our long term outcomes – from the food choices we make this week?
Um, well, uh, like never. Right?
Most of us can’t or don’t want to see that far, because it’s too much work. Or, we won’t give up today’s pleasure and convenience for tomorrow’s payoff – good digestive health.
Our son told me last Friday on the drive home from school that he had a “confession”. He doesn’t really like the bread (double fiber) we use to make his lunch sandwiches.
Grateful for the truth, but now what?
So last night on the way home from a doctor’s visit, I stopped to get some food items, including a different kind of bread, but with the same digestive goal – high fiber.
Blogging about health enhances accountability and increases motivation. Are you working on that too?
If not you, who? If not today, when? Seriously. Enjoy your lunch.
