Motivation – Guru Gilbert

What came first the chicken or the egg?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the chicken or the egg debate. Well sort of.

It seems as though we all have our own chicken or the egg debate. Whether it’s with your fitness goals, business goals, career goals or anything else that you’re pursuing.

What came first the results or the effort?

It seems as though we’re all obsessed with results. We work our tails off only for results. We make healthy choices only for results. We run an extra 5 minutes only for results. We make a sacrifice worth making only for results. We stay late at work only for results.

But when the results don’t happen when we want them to occur, the first thing we want to change is the amount of effort we put forth.

It’s interesting. However, the amount of effort you put forth absolutely has a direct impact on the results you’ll get.

And yet when we see results we become even more motivated and are willing to put forth more effort!

It seems as though results can either make or break the effort dial. See results and you’ll turn up the dial. Don’t see results when you want to and you’ll turn it down.

Here is what I can assure you of:

When it comes to your health and fitness goals, your body never lies. You can think you’re fooling yourself. But in the end your body always tells the truth.

Whether it’s in the first 25 seconds of the game or the last 25 seconds every basket counts towards the final score. Individually each basket may not seem like it matters much but collectively they matter immensely!

The amount of effort you put forth really does matter. Whether it’s running for an extra 5 minutes, working an hour longer on your dream, or sending that extra email it all counts!

Results will happen. Your body has no choice but to work its magic when you’re eating right and exercising consistently! Want results quicker? Turn up the effort dial.

Is your business slowing down a bit? Turn up the effort dial!

Is your career not progressing as quickly as you want it to? Turn up the effort dial!

There are a lot of things we can’t control. Our peers, our genetics, and our economic environment to name a few.

But the one thing we can all control is the amount of effort we put forth when it comes to pursuing things worth pursuing!

And usually when we need the most amount of effort we wind up putting forth the least amount of effort. It’s very easy to get discouraged when we don’t see results when we expect to. But if you turn up the effort dial results will happen!

Stop playing the chicken or the egg game!

Instead start playing the effort one.

Why get rich quick schemes don’t exist and how it affects you

I am amazed by how impatient we are when it comes to results for our health and fitness goals.

In fact, it’s scary how fast we expect results!

As we all know (but like to think otherwise) consistency is the key to any kind of success. Of course, it’s also tough to maintain.

That’s where MBT comes in.

We all know this though. Our rational mind doesn’t really believe losing 30 pounds in three days is realistic. (Of course not!)

However, our irrational mind likes to think so. In fact, it’s the same irrational mind that will fall victim to get rich quick schemes.

Get rich quick schemes don’t work!

For as long as there have been (and are) people who want to get rich there will be get rich quick schemes.

But here’s the thing: Get rich quick schemes (as well as diet schemes) exist because people want to believe they exist.

For as long as there are people who want to believe in ‘too good to be true’ claims they’ll always be around.

[When I say diet schemes I mean anything that makes you think it’s too good to be true! Alert: If it feels that way in your gut it’s because it is too good to be true!]

Don’t you think if get rich quick schemes actually existed the seller (who was entrepreneurial enough to buy airtime to share his secret with the world for a small fee of 10 easy payments of $89.95) would instead just hire 1000’s of people at minimum wage to follow his very own ‘step by step full proof method’ and become a billionaire himself?

Think about that? If it was that easy and it required so little work, and work that could be replicated over and over, he’d be able to hire anyone. And just have them follow his method.

But of course, he doesn’t.

There is no such thing as getting rich quick. Nor is there such a thing as losing 30 pounds in three days.

The only way to get rich quick or to lose weight or to accomplish anything worth accomplishing is day by day.

Like I tell my clients: Meal by meal. Workout by workout. Day by day.

Very unsexy but very true.

If you put together 9 ladies it still takes 9 months each to have a baby (and patience).

How come no one questions anything else that takes time and patience and effort? Law school, medical school, grad school, high school, and on and on?

Interestingly, without your health and fitness none of the above means anything.

Get in shape day by day.

Meal by meal, workout by workout, day by day!

[This happened to be yesterday’s Daily Inspiration.]

The difference between inspiration and motivation and how it can change your life

Motivation is a huge business in America. There are thousands of speakers waiting to motivate you on how to sell, how to close, how to work better, how to motivate others and any other subject you can imagine!

Motivation is worth every penny.

For example, I believe everyone should (and can) be in awesome shape. But not everyone is.

The reason is because we (the people who aren’t in the shape we want to be in) have trouble staying consistent with exercise and/or healthy eating.

If you don’t have a problem staying consistent with your diet and/or exercise, you should be in great shape!

A highly motivated person wouldn’t have any problem staying consistent though.

As Zig Ziglar said, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.”

But most people keep searching for more tactics. The problem with that strategy is it delays action. And consistent action is the only way to get to where you want to be.

I don’t think you can teach someone to be motivated. Motivation has to come from with in.

However; I know inspiration can absolutely make someone motivated!

I believe motivation occurs once a switch is flipped in your mind. Maybe you caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and don’t like what you see. Maybe your jeans aren’t fitting the way they used to. Maybe you have a vacation coming up. Maybe a Rocky marathon was on TV. Maybe your Body Tutor wrote something that hit home with you…

Inspiration, on the other hand, is all about looking inside yourself.

If he can do it why can’t I? If she can do it why can’t I? If I was able to do this back then why can’t I do it now?

I don’t know any kid who dreams of being overweight and out of shape. It just happens. Life happens! Work, kids, friends, and on and on….

But when no one is forcing you to look inside yourself (I believe good inspiration should) and to be honest with yourself; it’s really easy to lose sight of the life you want to lead. It’s really easy to rationalize all of your excuses.

Tiger Woods has 3 coaches. The finest musicians and athletes all have coaches. Why shouldn’t you?

These highly successful people are highly motivated. But like any human being sometimes we slip up and sometimes we lose sight of where we’re going and we lose our motivation.

This is when you should:

Listen to your favorite music. Look at pictures. Read great articles and books. And whatever it is that you do that inspires you.

Know the difference between motivation and inspiration. And when you’re loosing motivation; seek inspiration!

If you’re losing motivation often then you should:

Surround yourself with inspiring and motivating people. Accomplish one small task every day. Take a look at everything around you. What’s bringing you down?

You don’t want mediocrity for yourself. You know you don’t. Don’t ever convince yourself that you do. And the most successful people I know are constantly investing in inspiration whether it’s from books, seminars, coaches, music, etc.

Inspiration = Successful!

[Some nice comments over at BrazenCareerist.com!]

[If you want to take your health and fitness to the next level, consider joining MyBodyTutor. I know you’ll love it!]

PickOnTheFatKid.com and why I care so much

Bear with me but I’d like to share with you why I care so much about my clients.

Back in early January of 2007, while running on the treadmill at 5:30 AM and while feeling amazing and on top of the world like usual (not a coincidence – exercising has that affect on you. So does eating right.) I kept thinking to myself, “This is the best feeling in the entire world. Everyone should experience this feeling! This is just too good not to spread.”

The fire for MyBodyTutor was ignited. (The idea was already born.)

I quit my full time job 3 weeks later. I had to do it. I just cared too much. And once you care about something it’s hard to ignore it.

My core purpose and mission with my clients is to help them stay consistent. Above everything that I provide like an easy to follow customized diet and exercise program.

When you stay consistent with your diet and exercise…you will feel amazing. There are no ifs, ands or buts. All things being equal when you workout and eat right you will feel so much better than if you didn’t workout and eat healthy.

And when you do that consistently…you will feel amazing consistently (and, of course, see results!). And that’s really the business I’m in.

You can say I’m in the amazing business and I can’t think of a more rewarding, thrilling and fun business to be in.

After reading this particular client’s blog post today (it’s 10/22/08 as I write this) it really made me smile. Reading how great he is doing and how great he is feeling and how is attitude at work is even changing is what it’s all about for me. That is what makes me jump out of bed every morning.

I’ve helped (and help) countless clients in all shapes and sizes with different goals every day ranging in age from 15 to 77 years old stay consistent.

I have hundreds of thank you emails and testimonials that I read for inspiration. (I wish I could have them all on my new website but my web developer told me no. “People aren’t going to read them all,” he said. He’s probably right. The secret is they are more for me.)

But this particular client really inspires me. This guy is 460 pounds (as of 10/22/08) and he had enough courage to start. But where most of us falter whether we’re trying to lose 260 pounds or 10 is keeping on going.

And already he’s feeling amazing. Already he feels in control.

A lot of people want to know why I ‘care’ so much about people’s success. I care so much because it’s hard not to.

It’s hard not to care when you know the possibilities. It’s hard not to want to spread the goodness that being healthy and fit brings. There is no better feeling than running along the FDR (in New York City) with cars buzzing along one side and the East River on the other while the sun is shining down on you.

There is no better feeling than listening to your favorite songs while exercising.

Exercising is truly a celebration of life. It’s hard not to want to spread that. It’s hard not to want to help people who want to change. Who want to improve. Who want to grow. Who want to evolve. Who aren’t all talk!

It’s easy to not care about people who are stuck. Who settle for mediocrity. And complain month after month and New Year after New Year about how they’re going to change but never take action. I have no patience for people who hope and wish.

I have all of the patience in the world for people who are willing to try.

Wes is already inspiring me and the rest of the MyBodyTutor family and I’m sure anyone who follows his journey and story will be inspired too.

Wes has A LOT of courage and what I love so much about Wes is he understands this isn’t a 3 week thing here. He understands it’s going to take meal after meal. Workout after workout. No matter what the goal is! (And there’s where I come in. Because it’s really easy to give up and lose motivation. It’s really easy to rationalize poor eating and a lack of exercise. It’s really hard to stay consistent meal after meal. Workout after workout.)

He has A LOT of work left. His goal is to lose 260 pounds. And there is not a doubt in my mind…We will get there!

I will NOT let him not get there.

Check out his courageous blog at: www.pickonthefatkid.com

I keep telling Wes this is going to be an incredible journey.

It’s going to be a long journey but certainly a worthwhile one.

And I think he is starting to believe that too!

How to feel like a rock star!

Below is my Daily Inspiration that I wrote for my clients yesterday morning. I write a Daily Inspiration every single morning for my clients. This just happens to be one of them…

One of my idols growing up was Michael Jordan. He says, “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”

Indeed.

If you don’t expect yourself to stay consistent with your diet and exercise then you won’t. If you don’t expect yourself to get that promotion or to land that new client then you won’t.

If you don’t expect things of yourself before you can do them, then you will never, ever, do them.

In my opinion, expecting things of yourself comes from self confidence. And I believe the best way to gain self confidence is to actually do the things you really want to do.

All of those little promises that you make to yourself (and me). When you really make good on your own word, it feels incredible. And you start to really believe in yourself. You start to really trust yourself.

The feeling of having been lied to by yourself (which we all do) is not a good one. You start thinking you’re a fraud. And that your own word means nothing.

You don’t believe yourself anymore. You don’t trust yourself anymore and you don’t take yourself seriously anymore.

Some people will promise anything to other people and never break their word because they want other people to think they are full of integrity.

Some of those people will never keep their own promises though. How about some personal integrity folks?

Here’s a thought:

Imagine if you kept every promise you made to yourself. Imagine how you’d feel and look.

Imagine where’d you’d be.

So that means…

Really working your butt off at the gym. Not just going through the motions. (If you’re going to spend your precious time there then you might as well get the most out of it!)

Stop snacking on those treats (we both know they aren’t good for you) and you’re only fooling yourself.

Waking up a little earlier.

Eating a little healthier.

And countless other promises we all make to ourselves.

Imagine. Do.

Repeat.

You = feeling like a rockstar.

-A

I’ve been writing a Daily Inspiration every morning for my clients since March of 2007. I wake up and whatever comes to mind I write it. My clients love it. Thankfully!

My program is based on 4 key quotes. I’m a big fan of quotes if you haven’t realized. The idea of having a Daily Inspiration was inspired by this quote. (Actually to be honest, I found this quote way after I started writing the Daily Inspirations but it’s precisely the reason why I write a Daily Inspiration!)

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

The other 3 quotes that my program is based on or I should say that go hand in hand with my program follow:

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.” Richard P. Feynman, Nobel Prize – winning physicist

“In baseball, my theory is to strive for consistency, not to worry about the numbers. If you dwell on statistics you get shortsighted, if you aim for consistency, the numbers will be there at the end.” – Tom Seaver

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” – Albert Einstein

[Some really nice comments over at BrazenCareerist.com!]

Why you shouldn’t hit the snooze button, according to Tiger Woods

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)

How Can I Not?

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!

The Pursuit of Happiness (How far will you go for it?)

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?

Lucky to the Bone (1 in 10,000)

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!

How Can You Be A DJ in your life?

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…