I put an enormous amount of pressure on myself. Sometimes, I wonder what the point is. Why can’t I just relax, why can’t I just be content, why do I expect so much from myself?

Tiger’s interview this last week with Scott Van Pelt for the ESPN Sports Center Sunday Conversation was freaking unbelievable! My biggest fear is not realizing my full potential. I really believe that hell would be seeing what you could have accomplished if only you believed in yourself and tried your hardest.

One sequence in particular really hit home with me:

SVP: You have 64 wins on the PGA Tour, a fortune in the bank, how do you fight the human nature that says ‘I’m going to hit the snooze button today, I’m gonna take my foot off the gas, I’m just gonna coast for a while.’ Where does the hunger inside of you come from?

Tiger: I don’t know how you can think any other way.

SVP: There’s no….what would allow you to be satisfied?

Tiger: Hmm - win more.

SVP: So the 64th is…it feels as good, as fulfilling, as the 1st, the 2nd, the 33rd?

Tiger: God yes. Oh yeah.

SVP: So there’s no point when you can sort of put the feet up on a Tuesday afternoon and say ‘Today I’m not going to the gym’.?

Tiger: No. Because the next…that’s…I look at life as: the greatest thing about tomorrow is that I will be better than I am today. And that’s the way I’ve always lived my life. So I have no understanding why people do hit the snooze button because you have a chance to become a better person, become - for me - a better athlete…all the different things you can do to become better for tomorrow. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of that?

In an ESPN article he had almost the same answer:

“The greatest thing about tomorrow is, I will be better than I am today. And that’s how I look at my life. I will be better as a golfer, I will be better as a person, I will be better as a father, I will be a better husband, I will be better as a friend. That’s the beauty of tomorrow. There is no such thing as a setback. The lessons I learn today I will apply tomorrow, and I will be better.”

I believe the point of life, the reason for living, is to always improve, to always get better and ultimately to grow and evolve as a human being.

Oh man. I love this stuff. It really gets me going.

My money is on Tiger this weekend at Augusta.

Hat tip: Adam McFarland (a friend who shares the same outlook on life and is killing it with his business)

I remember in 5th grade I had to write a note to myself that was going to be buried in a time capsule. We are supposed to dig it up in the year 2020 (I think). (Does anyone who went to Walt Whitman Elementary School remember?)

Anyway, the sealed letter was about how we hope we’d turn out. I remember so clearly writing about how I’d be happily married with kids and have a wonderful and thriving business that was very well known. I had no idea what kind of business but I just knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur.

I guess that’s from my father. Since I was a little kid, he has always told me, “If you want to make a lot of money, you have to work for yourself,” among many other things like, “If you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything you want!”

But I think there’s one major difference between my generation and his. I believe his generation only cared about making money.

Michael Gerber, one of my favorite business authors, (and somehow I happen to be on the same list as him!?) wrote in this interview with Tim Ferris:

“Today’s entrepreneur is more likely to be interested in meaning rather than money. Money that comes with the absence of meaning is too big a price to pay for the new entrepreneur. Understand, I’m not saying that everyone I meet today has the question of meaning in mind. But, when I begin the conversation about meaning, more people I meet today are interested in having the conversation than ever before.”

Interestingly enough, I care way more about meaning than money. My ultimate satisfaction will come from helping millions of people not from becoming a millionaire many times over.

My meaning occurs when I get praise like this and this and this and this and this, etc., etc. That’s what it’s all about. I’m not saying every entrepreneur cares about meaning. Many don’t. I’m also not saying I’m running a non-profit.

I do want to make money but how I make it and the impact I’m having is far more important to me. I measure my success (and impact) on how many people we’re helping. The more money we’re making, the more people we’re helping…and that’s what it’s about.

I think the older generation would just say, “I want to make more money.”

I constantly say, “I need and want to be helping more people!” This pressure that comes from within keeps pushing me forward because I know I can help people. I almost feel like I have a responsibility…it’s this weight on my shoulders that’s very hard to describe but it comes from the fact that I truly believe MyBodyTutor can help anyone with any sort of health and fitness goal.

Going back to the title of this blog post, today is February 29th. There won’t be another February 29th until 2012. 4 years is a long time away. Your life could be completely different. You may wish for it to be completely different but you have no idea how you’re going to get there.

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’m going to go back to what my father always tells me: If you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything you want!

You just have to start!

Ever since I graduated college, I have been obsessed with figuring out what makes me happy. I think the pursuit of happiness is by far the most important pursuit. And the pursuit started only after college because that was the first time I could truly be or do anything I wanted.

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” -Aristotle

When I was at Ernst & Young, it was kind of freaking me out that I wasn’t that happy…or as happy as I could be…based on my past happiness.

But the question, “How Happy Are You” is unreliable.

I cannot measure my happiness in absolute terms, so I have to answer in relative terms. I have to think, “Compared to Bob, I’m so happy, but compared to Doug, I’m not.” Or I have to think, “Compared to when I broke my foot 3 days before my Bar Mitzvah (true story!), I’m happy, but compared to when I thought I fell in love I’m not.”

And am I thinking of my momentary happiness, my happiness over the last hour, or my happiness over the past year? If it is momentary happiness, what if I have spent the last minute reflecting on bad childhood memories? Should I say that I am unhappy? Maybe 10 minutes from now I will be reflecting on fond memories. Should I then say that I am happy?

What makes me happy might not make you happy. And what makes you happy might not make me happy.

I believe one sure way to be unhappy is to settle for mediocrity. Actually, I think settling in any facet of your life is a sure way to be unhappy. That’s unforgivable.

I think the subject of happiness is fascinating. After all, we are all here only one time. Why wouldn’t you want to be as happy as possible? I’m determined to live the best and happiest life I can. I want to live the life of my dreams. I have way too much at stake not to.

Don’t we all though?

So, I’m watching the football games last night in Spanish because I was in the Dominican Republic for the weekend and I wanted some Buffalo Wings. (Yes, even Body Tutors eat Buffalo Wings.)

When my Buffalo Wings arrived at my table, 45 minutes later, I had a recurring thought.

If you are not going to give it 100%, don’t bother showing up. Thankfully, the Giants showed up.

After watching one of the most amazing playoff games ever (and almost having at least 2 heart attacks because of my Giants) I learned that my brother-in-law might be the luckiest guy in the world.

Well, one thing is for sure, he is married to my sister. But, my bro from another mo’, was in a squares pool for both games. You know, the pool where you draw a number for each team. This explains it perfectly, if you don’t know what I mean.

Anyway, not only did he win the 1st quarter and the final score of the Patriot’s game but he also won the final score of the Giant’s game!

Faaaaaaaaaaaaaakkk meeee!

FYI: The odds of that happening are 1 in 10,000! And for him, it was a pay day of $2,350. Last year the guy won $1,800 during the Superbowl.

Not terrible.

Oddly enough, I was reviewing a notebook that I brought with me of interviews that I’ve conducted with very successful entrepreneurs (people with companies that have $5 M plus in annual revenues), and there was one consistent theme.

The harder they work, the luckier they seem to get…

There’s no bones about that!

If I could do anything in the World besides what I’m doing I’d be a World famous DJ. Well, I might as well be the best in the World if I’m going to do something.

It’s amazing how music can TOTALLY change your state of mind. At least once per week, I have no desire whatsoever to workout but then I’ll throw on my headphones with some good beats and all of the sudden…bam…I feel like Rocky.

I feel like Mayweather getting ready to defend my title right now. As I write this (It’s 5:33 A.M.), I’m listening to music that makes me want to go for a run and then continue to build my company and then go out and do my two step. It’s hard to describe but the energy music gives me is simply phenomenal.

[If you’re curious, I’m listening to “Time” by Timbaland. I’m slightly obsessed with the first 40 seconds!]

The reason why I’d love to be a DJ (and loved being a DJ in college for my fraternity – yes, that’s me in the yellow) is because I love having an impact on people. It’s the same reason why any great teacher wants to be a teacher.

I love changing people’s perspectives. With the press of a button I could completely change the mood of a party. Literally, within an instant I could change someone’s entire mood. It’s hard to get more instant gratification than that.

It was a form of artistic expression and satisfaction for me. The same reason why I loved being a DJ is the same reason why I love my business. It’s just a slower process of change and evolution. When I write my emails to my clients every morning I strive to write something inspirational that’ll resonate with them throughout the day.

Everyone in this World is in the service business. If you have a boss, you’re job is to make his/her life easier. If you own a business, your job is to make your customers (and employees) happy. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs, teachers, you name it; all have the power to be a DJ in their own regard.

Why not act as if you’re a World famous DJ with whatever is you choose to do? You have the power to change someone’s mood and perspective no matter what you’re doing. You can either make or break someone’s day.

One day DJ Body Tutor or DJ Gilbert will bring down a house near you. For now, it’s just going to have to be in words.

Can you feel ‘em? Hot Damn!

Off for a run…

As much as we all enjoy watching the underdog win we also enjoy watching perfection. The New England Patriots played the Philadelphia Eagles last night and were losing in the 4th quarter. Extremely rare for the Patriots this season who in my opinion are going to go 16-0.

They did wind up winning and I’m sure many people were upset about that.

The same reason why I’d like to see the Patriots go 16-0 is the same reason why I love Michael Jordan and also enjoy watching Tiger Woods and a perfect game being thrown. These guys/teams are winners. They find a way. They make it happen. They don’t make excuses. They are the best in the world.

However, as a person, seeking perfection is extremely dangerous. In fact, if you seek perfection you will never be happy or satisfied and you will also never do anything. You’ll suffer from analysis paralysis which is an awful habit of over thinking something until you don’t do anything.

Microsoft has released many bugged versions of their product knowing that they’d improve upon it. If they had sought perfection from day 1, they would have done nothing.

Although I want to do whatever I do to the absolute best of my ability, I know it’s impossible to achieve perfection.
As much as I talk about marketing and design and all sorts of business lingo my website for my business (MyBodyTutor.com) isn’t the greatest in the world. I have about ten million ideas in my head of how I intend to make my company the company I dream of.

However, I can’t do or have everything I want right now.

But my website served its purpose. It proved to me that my idea works in a big way and that’s all that matters. If I let my perfectionist ways get the best of me, I would have never launched my company.

I would have never launched Bingcoupons.com. And that means I would have never started the Ultimate Discount Card.

I wouldn’t have ever done anything. In fact, this blog wouldn’t exist!

There is no such thing as perfection! It’s all about progress…

And as long as you are making continual progress personally and professionally that is all that counts in my eyes.

George is my dog. Like, for real, he is my dog. But anyone who knows George knows that he isn’t any old 230 pound dog.

Not only is he the biggest teddy bear in the world but he takes in the paper for my mom every morning.

I must confess that although my hairy brother is brilliant my mom did train him. Every day she would walk with him to the top of the driveway with cheese (that’s his kryptonite).

First, she trained him to pick up the paper. My mom would applaud, hug, rub and feed George every time he did it.

Like Pavlov’s experiment, George quickly realized that if he wanted the cheddar he’d have to perform.

Then, my mom would run ahead of him and reward him again if he didn’t drop the paper. Finally, she trained him to drop the paper once he got into the house.

George now does this every morning like clockwork. When my mom told me this over the phone I really didn’t believe her until I saw it with my own eyes.

George knows that if he wants the cheese, he’s got to get the paper. His genius dog brain probably works like this:

Paper…cheese…paper…cheese…paper…cheese…water from toilet bowl.

Now there are a million directions I could have taken this story. But I’m going to finish it like this…

George knows that if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.

Anyone for a snausage?

It’s Monday morning and I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, as always. I just had an amazing two weeks in the most holy land on this planet. That’s pretty crazy. Whether you believe in God or not…that’s pretty powerful.

In Israel, we had a chance to sit down with a guy from the suburbs of Michigan who moved to Israel 13 years ago. This guy was so perplexed by the question of where we came from and why we are here that he has dedicated his life to learning about it.

I forget the exact word he used, but basically, he said that human beings are supposed to experience joy at all times. Obviously, this is not realistic…or is it?

On the way home from Israel, I had the good fortune of sitting next to a Rabbi from Brooklyn. After learning he was a Rabbi, I asked him two questions. What is the purpose of life and how did we get here.

The answers to these questions led to an incredible 2 hour conversation. He was saying how so many people in this world who seem to have everything are so unfulfilled. He believes the solution to feeling fulfilled is to believe in God. He also believes that the purpose of life is to be happy…whatever that means, and to get married and raise a family. God has a plan for you and me and all of us, according to the Rabbi.

If you want something and you feel it then so does God.

I also asked him if he felt that God wanted me to be sitting next to him and if we were supposed to be having a conversation. He said, “Yes, of course! Everything happens for a reason.” He later confessed to me that when he first got on the plane he tried moving his seat because he didn’t want to be near a bunch of kids.

My take away from my past 2 weeks of my life is this:

Life is absolutely amazing. Why do people fight? Why do people hate what they do? Why do people hold back? Why do people not give it their all? Why do people complain as opposed to doing? Why do people not go after their true dreams? Why do people not believe in themselves?

Why can’t you be whoever the hell it is you dream of? Why can’t you have the body you desire?

I know the answer and it’s the reason why MyBodyTutor is taking off.

Life happens. There are too many distractions. There are too many hours to be worked. We are forgetting about what it is we really want to do and we keep making excuses. We keep lying to ourselves.

It’s the same reason why every mega successful person I’ve ever studied has personal coaches, trainers and a personal army of support behind them.

When you lie to yourself you feel like crap. There’s no doubt that when you wake up in the morning with a plan do X, Y and Z and actually get it done you feel better than if you were not do it.

And life is too short to not feel great as often as possible!

Why can’t MyBodyTutor.com be a company with tens of thousands of clients and hundreds of tutors one day?

Why can’t you do what it is you really want to do?

There’s not one good reason in the world. In the end, we’re all just going to be buried 6 feet under the ground.

I’ve never felt this inspired and pumped up in my entire life to make my dreams come true…

There’s nothing stopping me…

Or you.

Denny Strigl’s office today. He’s the COO at Verizon quoted with pride about turning down the iPhone deal.

Nice work, Denny.

Actually, Denny isn’t so stoopid.

No one likes to challenge the status quo. It’s too much of a disruption. It’s too risky.

But, In 2007, being safe is risky. Preserving the status quo is risky.

Several weeks ago I had the awesome fortune of meeting Seth Godin, one of the most brilliant business thinkers in the world. He was speaking about his new book, the Dip.

The Dip is any rough patch you have to get through before achieving your big goal…if in fact you’re chasing the right goal.

Every new project (or job, or hobby, or company) starts out exciting and fun. Then it gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point that’s really hard and not much fun at all.

And then you find yourself asking if the goal is even worth the hassle. Most people, don’t think the goal is worth it, causing there to be a major superstar shortage.

Unless you have a chance to become the best in the world at your particular craft you need to regroup and focus your efforts elsewhere.

Anyone who is going to hire you, buy from you, recommend you, vote for you, or do what you want them to do is going to wonder if you’re the best choice.

Best as in: best for them, right now, based on what they believe and know. And in the world: as in their world, the world they have access to.

For example, if you live in Syosset and want the best pizza in the world you might choose La Piazza. Or you might choose Mario’s. But, Mario’s or La Piazza doesn’t get to decide if they are the best in the world…we, the consumer do.

If you can get through the Dip to become the best in the ‘world’ and can keep going when the system is expecting you to stop, you will achieve extraordinary results and become a superstar.

But most people won’t push through the dip.

Every time Men’s Health or Cosmopolitan puts a picture of a guy or girl with an insane body, newsstand sales go up. Why?

Well, if everyone had an insane body, it’s unlikely that guys or girls would buy a magazine that teaches them how to get that physique.

The very scarcity of this attribute makes it attractive. Scarcity is what creates value.

95% of the people in this world quit when the going gets tough. But superstars shine when the going gets tough. They lean into the dip.

They realize that if there is no pain…there is no gain.

Maybe you’re in a Dip – a temporary setback that you will overcome if you keep pushing. But maybe it’s really a dead end, which will never get better, no matter how hard you try.

Microsoft’s Zune is a dead end. They have spent over $200 million dollars promoting that thing.

Does anyone have one?

You need to choose the right Dip to get through. What can you become the best in the world at?

Unless they reinvent the game like making a complete new MP3 player that does crazy things that the iPod is not remotely capable of doing they have no chance of gaining ANY market share.

Microsoft word and excel will be around forever. Who does Google think they are trying to compete with Microsoft?

Losers, on the other hand, fall into two basic traps. Either they fail to stick out the Dip – they get to the moment of truth and then give up – or they never even find the right Dip to conquer.

Google is Google because they aren’t competing with Microsoft.

They are reinventing the game. MS word and excel are PC based. Google’s version of word and excel are web based.
They changed the platform. They know they could never compete with Microsoft if they sold software.

MyBodyTutor has no shot of competing with Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers or any of the other big online or offline companies. My belief is that we all need that extra push…on a daily basis.

FYI: Nine percent of all USA Today bestsellers are diet books. Yet today the New England Journal of Medicine reports that one year after going on a diet, on average, people weigh more than when they started because they don’t have a trusted support system.

Anyone can give you a diet.

It’s what you do with it that counts. It’s the ability to get through the Dips that make you a successful dieter.
MBT makes it almost impossible for you to do the things you don’t want to do and very easy (and fun) to do the things you really want to do.

MBT is reinventing the game. No company on Earth offers as much daily and personal accountability as we do. MBT helps people get through their Dips on a daily basis by providing the accountability, knowledge, inspiration and the personal, trusted support system we all need without embarrassing and annoying weekly meetings.

I truly believe my company has a chance to become the #1 health and fitness company in the entire world. In fact, I won’t stop until it is because I know I have the best program in the entire world (But, that’s not for me to decide…that’s for the consumer to decide.).

So, I’m going to leave you with this:

What can you become the best in the world at?

Are you stuck in a dead end job that you hate?

Are you running a company that’s just another me-too company?

Are you bored as hell at work?

Don’t you think it’s time to quit and go after something that you truly love doing. Something you have a chance to excel in?

Average is so boring. Average is for losers.