Remember when you were a kid and your parents tried teaching you the value in saving money. For some it was a piggy bank and for others is was a full blown savings account. My parents actually did a really good job at teaching me this lesson. When we went to the bank for whatever reason instead of just reviewing their accounts and having me wait in the corner they would have the banker also review my account to see how it was doing. It made me feel a part of the entire process instead of something that only adults do.

Now it's present day and I'm realizing more and more how important the lesson I was learning was and that it doesn't just apply to money. If you've read any of my blog posts you know I love talking about, learning about, and practicing changing habits to achieve long term goals. The more I learn about this subject the more I've come to realize that Life is a Savings Account.


Steven Covey says, "Private victories precede public victories. You can't invert the process anymore than you can harvest a crop before you plant it." To me this means it's the little, seemingly unimportant actions we take everyday that lead to ultimate goals and success. Unfortunately we also grow up around media and brilliant marketing companies who have us believe that we need to make snap decisions in order for success.

We often praise the grand slam hitter in baseball, we fantasize about winning the lottery and we wish we could be in the right spot, for that great opportunity. It's true that the people that this happens to are in the spotlight for a brief moment but what we have to ask ourselves is, where are they now? What kind of longevity do these 'grand' events bring?

Be careful how you save
If small positive habits carried out everyday lead to larger positive outcomes the reverse is true as well. Small bad decisions carried out everyday will lead to large negative outcomes. For example eating a candy bar isn't going to make you fat but, eating one everyday for 10 years will certainly add some weight.

TIP: Garbage in equals garbage out so make sure your daily habits are aligned with your ultimate goals. If they're not, rethink your strategy.

Create multiple Savings Accounts
If you're like me you don't have just one goal. Some of my current goals are to grow my business, maintain my health and read more books. Now I dedicate differing amounts of time to each but for instance I'm not good at sitting still and reading. But the knowledge I gain from reading is invaluable so I know I need to work on it. So I take it in small chunks. I try my best to read for 15-20 min/day which allows me to cover about 15-20 pages/day, therefor I can get through a 300 page book in roughly 15 days. Viola, I'm going through books!

TIP: Imagine for a second if everyday you took 15 minutes to achieve something positive in your life, and did that multiple times a day? Where would you be in 3 months, 6 months or a year? What could you accomplish?

Don't save $10/ week when you can't afford $1
I see people especially in the health & fitness field doing all the time. Inspiration hits like an explosion and they want to get in shape and ripped up. "I can workout and hour a day," "I can eat healthy," and the list goes on. If you're not currently working out or eating right, don't bite off more then you can chew.

TIP: When trying to change a major habit, don't try to change too much too soon. Want to workout for 60 min/day? Start with 15 minutes for 30 days and slowly progress. Let's be serious if you can't handle 15 min/day you'll never make it to 60 minutes.

Then I'll save $20/ week! Still not a good idea
Sometimes good habits, even with good intentions can be overdone. Maybe you accidentally skipped date night with your loved one, so the next day you bought them flowers and took them someplace really special to make up for it. A few months later something comes up again and you repeat this process. How long do you think it's going to take until date night is going to lose it's entire significance?

TIP: It's important to know that in our journey of creating new habits that mistakes and failures will happen and you will fall off course. In this example this couple started out showing each other importance and priority above all else but small changes in plans set them off course.  They tired 'making up' for it by doing more but in doing so something else happened.  A habit was created where their brain said, "it's okay to veer off course because I can always make up for it later," and that attitude is more damaging then anything!

Conclusion
It's time we all wake up and realize there is a formula for SUCCESS and achieving OUR GOALS and it doesn't matter what your goals are.  The formula is simple, small habits made everyday will lead to long term outcomes. Life is a Saving Account, treat it like one.    

3 Things that will help you SET and ACHIEVE your goals in 2014 and beyond...
Okay so it's that time of year again.  I don't know why people use this time to set personal goals but I'll leave that for another blog post.  For me 2013 was a year of taking chances and dreaming big.  I'm proud to say that 2013 was the year I broke out of my own self constructed 'box' and set out to achieve my dreams.  

I've learned a lot about setting goals and I want to share that with you so maybe you'll achieve some or all of the goals you are about to set.  It's my hope that by the end of this article you'll be inspired enough to dream big, set goals always and not allow a calendar that you didn't invent to guide your own goals.

1.  Set small goals that will lead to big changes
I want to lose weight, I will workout for an hour a day, I want to save more money and the list goes on and on.  I've discovered that most peoples dreams are serious life changing events.  Be honest with yourself, if you haven't been able to do these things thus far in your life it's unlikely you'll be able to do them any better on January 1st.

The key to making large changes is setting BOTH small and large goals.  Losing weight and working out for an hour a day are great goals but if you can't even workout for 15 minutes a day then you'll never make the full hour (or at least for any significant amount of time that will make a lasting change).  Instead of charging the gym on January 1st (or Jan 2nd if you had too much fun) set a goal of 15 minutes a day, 6 days a week for a month.  The consistency will be better for you, less of a change, and you'll be forming a habit instead of fighting old ones.  Keep adding 15 minutes each month until you get to your goal.

Why did you make a New Years resolution?  To make life changes right?  My point is this, who cares if you reach that goal in January or April?  The goal is to reach that goal an that's it.  By making small changes you increase your success rate exponentially and you don't have to set the same goal the next year.        

2.  Flexible planning
I see this same post on Facebook every year where every week for a year you're supposed to make a $1 incremental deposit into your saving account and by the end of the year you'll have saved approximately $1,300.  While this is a great goal I see a major flaw with this idea and that is that 'life happens.'  Sure January and February are easy but as the year goes on the deposits get larger and more difficult.  Do you really want to be making your largest deposits during the holiday season?




Why not print out the sheet and deposit as much as you can when you can and just check off the amounts as you make them?  This will alleviate stress around holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and other life events both planned and unplanned.  Personally I get some money around Christmas time so I should knock off the more expensive deposits then.

My point is that planning is important but flexible planning will last you longer and ultimately lead you to greater achievements.  The journey may be more important than the destination but it's got to be YOUR journey.  Keep your eye on the big picture and what works for YOU and YOUR life.    

3.  Don't be afraid to fail or have set backs
I started a 90 day workout program called P90X about 3 years ago.  I did it for about 2 weeks pretty religiously until I missed a day and then I quit for about a week.  I picked it back up and completed about 30 days until my grandmother passed away and I had to leave town for the funeral.  When I got back I had lost my momentum and couldn't find the motivation to get back into it.  A month or two later I decided enough was enough and started again this time for almost the full 90 days and quit yet again a week or two before I'd be done.  I forget the reason I quit now but I do remember how disappointed in myself I was.

Then it occurred to me, why am I doing this?  Am I doing this to complete a 90 day program or am I doing it to improve my health?  I had let the challenge of completing the program get in the way of the real picture. Now I workout and eat healthy for one reason and that's to live longer and live happier.

The point is to use failures and set backs as lessons and learn from them.  If it hadn't been for me quitting so much I might have completed the 90 day program and quit for good.  Instead my failures and set backs led me to a lifelong habit.  I think John Maxwell says it best, "Failure can be your best friend or your worst enemy, the choice is yours."

Bonus.  Challenge yourself
The opposite of goal setting is true too.  If you're setting goals that you're reaching too easily or too fast then you're not challenging yourself enough.  Don't be afraid to dream even bigger.

Conclusion
I don't know what your goals are for 2014 but don't fall into the trap of setting goals and not achieving them. Every year it seems like the same thing.  People make these life changing goals and quit within a matter of weeks.

Set yourself up with success by making short term and long term goals.  Make you short term goals attainable with little effort and allow those short term goals to add up to something great.  Allow your goals to be flexible and look at failure and set backs as a little friend giving you advice, and take it.  Most of all allow yourself to dream, dream big and never stop dreaming! 

Disclaimer:  This blog IS NOT for the fitness models, body builders or athletes.  This is for the average person who wants above average results. Period.  This blog is also about transparency.  I'm not trying to sell anything or push any products.  Follow the rules below and you'll see results regardless of the tools or products you choose to use.   

I'd like to share with you the truth about getting the body you've always wanted but I'm going to warn you, you may not like the answer.  If you're anything like me you're tired of marketing ads telling you to take a magic pill or to buy this new scientifically proven piece of gym equipment that guarantees results or your money back.  I was tired too.

I bought the electroshock ab belt that turned into nothing more then a drinking game of who could crank it up to it's highest setting and keep it on the longest.  I bought into supplements because the guy/ girl selling them had a perfect physique that I too wanted.

At some point if you want serious long lasting and healthy results you have to finally give in to the truth.

Secret #1:  There is no secret.
There is no secret and you already know what to do.  I was chatting with a trainer/ gym owner once who told me he couldn't believe the number of his clients who paid for his services.  He told me he wasn't telling them anything they didn't already know and many times he would still have trouble getting them to do it. Here's the formula [WORKOUT + CLEAN NUTRITION + CONSISTENCY = RESULTS]  That's it.

(I don't want to dive into what 'clean nutrition' means since I have other blogs on that but basically if you have to question if it's healthy or not, it's not.)

If you want serious long lasting results you have to follow that formula.  Stop trying to look for shortcuts or magic supplements and as Nike says, 'just do it.'


Secret #2:  Stop cheating!
You are your own worst enemy when it comes to YOUR results (see cover image).

The fact is that trainers and nutritionists are with you for only an hour or two a day.  It's the time they're not with you where things go wrong.  You skip a workout because you're tired or you order a pizza because they're not around to give you that evil eye.  It comes down to willpower and choice, and we're given too much of both sometimes.

Stop doing research on what the latest celebrity did to transform themselves for a role.  Stop following these people in magazine ads and billboards advertising the latest juice, cleanse, or false promise.  Do exactly what you know you need to do and have known for a long time.  Workout and Eat Right.  It's so simple it's somehow become hard.

I used to get so caught up in ingredient lists, macro nutrient ratios, and other terms I can't even remember now.  The truth is if you're eating clean, those things don't really matter (please remember my disclaimer here.)  Stop doing research and get out and move, and when your done moving, eat your vegetables!   :)

Getting Results
Now that you've spent a few minutes reading what you've already known it's time to create a goal for yourself.  Maybe it's to loose a few pounds or maybe it's a complete transformation.  Either way remember secret #2 and DON'T CHEAT UNTIL YOU'VE REACHED YOUR GOAL.  This is probably the hardest part of the equation and you're probably going to have to give up some social outings, parties and events to complete this step.

I know how hard this is because I'm guilty of it too.  I'll have a great week, work out, eat right then Friday comes and I feel like having a drink or a cheat meal.  I'll say things like I had a good week I DESERVE it; or the opposite, I had a tough week I DESERVE it.   Or it's a holiday, or someone's birthday, or this event or that event either way I DESERVE it.  Here's another secret; stop always looking for a reason to cheat.  

Can someone please define DESERVE for me here?  Which part of your body DESERVES to be filled with crap?  Last time I checked your stomach, liver and kidneys (among others) don't like any of this stuff.  Even your bank account hates it when you go out for food and/or drinks.  Why do you DESERVE this food or drink, you haven't reached your goal yet?  So no you don't DESERVE it.  Reach your goal, then yes, you DESERVE it.

I know this approach may seem a little harsh but I truly want you to reach your goals.  In this day in age where time is priceless we want results and we want them fast.  Well like everything else that is worth while you're going to have to make some sacrifices.

Conclusion
I believe you're a smart person and know what needs to be done to get to your goals.  I think we've hid behind this wall of pretending not to know or getting a thousand opinions before ever doing something that we're actually believing it ourselves now. It's easier to claim not to know something then admit you actually do know and you're just not willing to put in the work.

Now it's up to you and how long you want to take to reach your goal?  You can set small goals, reach them, cheat a bit and get back on track (like most people) OR you can rip the band-aid right off and go in for the long haul of one, three, six or maybe even more months without cheating.

For me getting serious results is more of a scheduling issue and fighting off social events than anything else. If you fall into peer pressure easily try to stay away from major holidays and birthdays when scheduling your goals.  Find a partner who is willing to help you stay on track.  Also make sure when you have a goal you (for the time being) put it above some of your other priorities that can possibly throw you off track.  I've found it's much easier to maintain a fit body then achieve it so put in the work now as long as you need to to reach your goals.  Good luck!              

This blog post is a current reflection of my own actions, habits and lifestyle; good and bad.

While looking back at my own health & fitness goals I gotta say, I'm on a pretty good path.  At least much better than I was any of the years before now.  I have found a good routine of maintaining my health & fitness which has taken me years to achieve.  Still... currently I don't seem to be moving forwards and I'm not moving backwards.  I'm comfortable; and being comfortable for me isn't comfortable!

I must admit my biggest hurdle for taking my health & fitness to the next level is drinking.  I LOVE MY MARTINI'S and I'm having an issue cutting back on them.  Hell it's taken me a few years to perfect my martini recipe, why would I waste all that time spent?!?  Ohhh they're so good and if you ever come over I'll make one for ya!  I still have the occasional beer or two but for the most part I try to stay away from them after reading this article (http://foodbabe.com/2013/07/17/the-shocking-ingredients-in-beer/).

Now to be fair to my little liquid friend the martini, he's not the full culprit of this story.  It's the decisions I'll make after having one of two of these suckers, usually leading me into some kind of late night crap food fest. It's a sad snowball effect.  Not to mention all of the other side effects alcohol has to your body that we rarely think or know about.


That all being said, one of my goals is to etch off those last few percentages of body fat, and this liquid heaven isn't helping.  I must say I've made some huge strides over the years.  It used to be that I would have 2-3 beers a night justifying my actions by complaining about the stress of my job or life in general.  It was an easy 'out' and it seemed to work, although I know there are much healthier ways to de-stress!

Now I keep my 'partying' to Friday and Saturday nights.  I'm not saying that I don't sway from that every now and then but it's kind of the deal I've made with myself.  So here's the problem, I'm a numbers guy.  If I'm drinking 2 nights of the week that's nearly a third of my week!  What the hell?!? How come the week seems so long and the weekends so short, yet somehow 2 days is almost a third of my week???  It sure doesn't seem like a third of my week is 'weekend time.'

What's also hard is that I love going out with my friends!  If you know me personally or follow me on Facebook you know we do some really fun and unique things almost every weekend!  The problem is many of these events include or have alcohol and I fall into peer pressure far too easily.  Okay okay I'll admit that I'm sometimes even the instigator!

So here's what I've come up with... I've created this card to help me with my goals.  I figure I can keep my schedule of 2 nights a week 2 drinks per night but that's it!  If I want to go crazy one night, I have to sacrifice a full night.  But the best part of this card (at least for me) is I won't want to cross off all the little martini's.  It's now a game and each time I cross one off I'm losing.   Also by having a visualization of what I could be giving up by having my little martini's, I'm hoping that will be enough to keep me away.  I'll let you know who wins!




I challenge you to this, if you're having problems quitting a habit that is keeping you from your goals do the same.  Track it, learn about it, and then come up with a plan to correct it.  You may not always win but progress is progress no matter how small.  In my example I turned my strength of loving challenges against my weakness the martini.  Do the same yourself.              

I don't have all the answers, I just take it day by day.  I look at the progress my own health & fitness has made over the past years and all I can do is be proud.  I know I'm on the right course and maybe by writing about this it will give me the push I need to do even better.  But in the end everyone has to make their own decisions and choices on what they want and what's important to them.

If you're having similar issues what are they?  And how have you found ways to overcome them?

I wanted to discuss an idea I was introduced to a while back in Darren Hardy's book 'The Compound Effect.'  The entire book was a life changer for me (one of the only books I plan on reading at least once a year) and I wanted to share one particular section that I found really interesting.  That section had to do with our WHY.

The reason WHY you do something can be the deciding factor of whether or not you'll be successful or not. I believe when taking on new challenges most people map out a plan on how to get there; makes sense. Sometimes we get there, sometimes we don't.  If we don't, we often go back to the drawing board and map out a new plan.  We repeat this over and over until we either quit or succeed.

What if we don't succeed?  Are we just not capable of attaining our goals?  Or is the reason we failed because our WHY wasn't strong enough?  I'd like to argue that next time you're feeling down because something didn't go your way, consider changing the reason WHY you're doing something instead of changing your methods.  

Here's an example given to us in the book, I just really wanted to add the visualizations to it :)

If I laid out a 50ft 2x4 wooden board on the ground and asked you to walk across it for $100 would you?  I think most people would say yes, I mean what do you have to lose right?

What if I took that same wooden board and placed it across of two neighboring skyscrapers.  Would you now walk across it?  I'm guessing you'd say 'hell no!'

What if I said you need to walk across it or you would automatically die.  What would you do now?  I'm guessing you'd walk across the board now right?

The point of this example is to illustrate how important your WHY needs to be.  The wooden board and the distance didn't change in any of the examples above.  But the reason for WHY you were walking across it did. Sometimes you said YES and sometimes you said NO. The only difference between you saying YES or NO was the reason WHY you'd be walking across it.

So I challenge you to do this... the next time you're trying to achieve a goal and it isn't quite working out for you; instead of coming up with ways to change how to reach that goal, consider changing your WHY instead.

The great thing about having strong WHY's is that you can have as many of them as you like!  I've found the more the better, and some will be stronger than others.  Also multiple WHY's will help out when other WHY's fail. Wanting 6 packs abs will keep me away from McDonald's in the summer but that WHY may fail in the winter when I'm covered up.  But, if my WHY is to have 6 pack abs, not get cancer, and live as long of a life as possible; I'm pretty much covered for not going to a fast food joint.        

Let's face it, life is tough.  And when life gets tough the thing that separates the people who keep going from the people who quit is their WHY.  Make sure yours is strong and I believe there is nothing that can stop you from achieving any goals you set.