tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61264862720557123992024-03-13T13:18:07.884-07:00The Hero's Journey The Hero's JourneyAlex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-24366490134214274152015-02-11T06:51:00.002-08:002015-02-11T06:51:35.054-08:00Call To Serve<div class="graf--p" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>Martin Luther King Jr.</i></span></div>
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Service</h3>
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My value derives from my ability to serve others; coaches, athletes, administrators, students, and other human beings I encounter. The people who have helped shape me from a young boy into a young man served me and deserve the respect and appreciation. The best way I have discovered is to do this is to become the best version of myself through daily efforts to improve. Currently, I am reading a book a week and by my birthday (April 30th) I will have 15 books read. Challenging myself allows me to keep pushing the envelope. Otherwise, boredom creeps in and it’s ugly cousin depression takes over which has been a huge detriment in my life. Back to the people that served me and currently serve me.</div>
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These people from parents, mentors, friends, peers, coaches, and athletes deserve the very best from me. They have helped mold me and the talents, skills, abilities, and resources add up to something special only I can uniquely deliver. The light that shines out of me comes from these people that serve me. If I do not shine my light, that is the biggest disservice to these people and myself as well.</div>
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As I continue my journey to becoming better each day through challenges, the “end goal” is to be able to help people from the point in life they are at. So, let’s envision I am a “big wig” and have lots of influence and someone is in great need. This is the type of help I want to put into place. When someone has nothing else, nobody else, that is my cue to step in and help. From big challenges in life to small, my value resides in my ability to serve others.</div>
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Shine your light and keep hustling!</div>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-69995443657738219012015-02-07T04:49:00.002-08:002015-02-07T04:49:42.863-08:00They Did It<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><b><i>A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his </i></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><b><i>share of the credit.</i></b></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">~</span>Arnold H. Glasow</i><br />
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In August of 2013 I began as a "GA" for Dakota State University. I was the only strength coach but was considered a GA because of the masters program and money/reduced tuition I received. The primary teams I worked with were Football and Volleyball. These teams were marred with unsuccessful seasons. Football hadn't had a winning season since the mid 90's and the volleyball for almost 10 years.<br />
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The school had never had a strength and conditioning coach. I had never had this power either. I was fresh off an internship at the University of Northern Iowa with Jed Smith and Nick Davis (two mentors and role models I'll never forget). It was scary and I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. Am I ready? Is this what I really want to do with my life? All these questions continued. Not to mention, I was LIVING in the storage closet of the weight room to save money. This was not known to anyone else, save a few people. It was my choice but there were many trade-offs.<br />
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One of the biggest trade-offs/stresses was the constant "what-if" questions of people finding out. What if someone catches me sleeping here? What if the athletes find out? What if? Rarely did I have a restful nights sleep as stress was seemingly always high. I didn't go outside much as I was in the weight room literally all day and night. And when I wanted to go outside at night, I had to think of the repercussions of athletes seeing me walking back into the weight room at very odd hours of the night.<br />
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Eventually I moved out about a year later. I still don't have my own room with a door but I have a place that is my own. I don't stress when going to sleep that someone will find me. If I did, the mental hospital would be knocking at my door.<br />
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Fast forward to this past season for Football and Volleyball. I was hired as the first Strength and Conditioning Coach in Dakota State's history. Both teams were improving (physically but more importantly mentally) throughout the first year as a GA and now many things in my own life had changed for the better.<br />
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Football had their first winning season in 16 years. Volleyball had theirs in almost 10 years.<br />
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Was it ME? Did I do this? The answer is a big fat NO. I was a very small part. Outsiders will point to me as a big reason. Heck, even the athletes have done this. But I refer to Mark Watts when reflecting on this.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"If you credit your team's loss to the other team having more talent then you can't credit your team's win to the strength training program."</span></b><br />
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Why did both teams, the primary teams I spent the most time with have winning seasons for the first time in a decade? Millions of little reasons I can only assume. The athletes are the ones going out and performing. I give them the credit. Did I go out and score a touchdown? Did I hit the game winning kill? No, and I'll never take credit for the success of the teams I train.<br />
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THEY did it. I simply helped out a little each day.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Shine your Light</span></b><br />
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<br />Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-22090158370072167742014-11-09T06:32:00.000-08:002014-11-09T06:32:15.205-08:00Lessons in Time<span class="bqQuoteLink" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;"><i>The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.</i></span><br />
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~ <i>Chris Pine</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">It's been about 18 months since I started weightlifting (snatch and clean & jerk). It's also been about 18 months since deciding on becoming a Strength and Conditioning Coach. These two decisions are integral parts of my life now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">If you are unfamiliar with weightlifting it involves two movements (snatch and the clean & jerk) where a barbell is hoisted above the head. The snatch consists of one movement while the clean & jerk has two components to it. This sport has a storied history and its roots date back to men competing to see who could pick up the heaviest objects. You have to be a little crazy to want to do this. Putting hundreds of pounds over your head is crazy in its own right but being excited about the opportunity to do it? That is what I feel when I approach the bar. But it wasn't always like that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">My mentors starting out were great teachers and men. They were fresh in the journey of becoming Strength and Conditioning Coaches but they were where I wanted to be. Teaching me how to train, they taught me things I still reflect on today. I went from squatting 300lbs and it being painful at the bottom (hip) to 4-6 weeks later hitting 429 pounds and eventually 450 pounds. They reinforced a drive I've always had to push the limits. They allowed me to shine my light by providing me with a stimulus in which to do so. While these increases in poundages were happening I also learned how to snatch and clean and jerk. My clean was more advanced than my snatch and jerk due to previous experience, however, I learned countless things throughout the process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1. <b>Start where you are at not where you think you should be</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Too many times we can get caught up comparing ourselves to people who are doing better than us in a given endeavor. It's vitally important to have goals and chunk them down but comparing yourself on a daily basis or habitually is a recipe for unneeded pain and anguish. Accept where you are, work </span><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">ridiculously</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> hard from that point, and be disciplined to stay the course.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2. <b>Show up</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">There are days when we don't want to do what need to do. Even if these things are what we enjoy doing it can be a chore to go do them. Becoming aware of the times when it's necessary to back off and when to show up and grind through is a learning process. But it is a HUGE step in the direction of growth. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">3.<b> Know when to stop</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">At a certain point progress halts. A variety of things could be the culprit but the important thing is to acknowledge. Do you need time off? Do you need to re-evaluate what you have been doing? Does a change need to be made? Putting everything on yourself instead of what you have been doing can derail you mentally. If you're working really hard and staying disciplined with great progress for a while but then a plateau occurs, it's probably not your effort. It's probably your method. And that's ok. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">4. <b>Practice Gratitude</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">This is a new habit I have formed. Being undisciplined in this practice before allowed me to reflect on how well I did when I practiced this. Starting and ending the day with gratitude will take you to a whole new level. It puts things into perspective. It allows stress, momentarily to be pushed aside. And with much practice, a healthy alternative to brooding on what you don't have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">5. <b>Attack Weaknesses One at a Time</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">We all have amazing strengths that make us successful in many things. It's the weaknesses that we tend to focus on and for good reason. We want to improve! But focusing on what we don't have instead of what we do lends itself to a let down. We are not living in the now. Instead, KEEP your strengths and focus on 1 weakness at a time. Work hard at improving the weakness for 4-6 weeks and re-evaluate your progress. You'll be amazed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">6.<b> Show Appreciation </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Appreciate yourself. Appreciate your loved ones. If you're lucky, these people will support you on your journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">7. <b>Journal, Goal Writing, and Reading</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Journal the days events, what you accomplished, and things you are grateful for (see #4). Successful people have goals. They also read their goals daily and visualize how to get there. Re-reading goals has been an integral part of reaching my goals. Chunking the goals down into achievable milestones and celebrating each while keeping the eye on the prize is an invaluable practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">8. <b>Think all you want, UNTIL the moment comes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">It's easy to overthink things. Sometimes we are just going through how to do something, rehearsing if you will. But once the time comes to act there must be no thought. As Bruce Lee would say, no mind. In weightlifting it is once you step on the platform there is no thought, just swift and deliberate action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">9. <b>Beginner's Mind: Be a White Belt</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Whether you are an elite person in your field or just starting off, using the beginner's mind mentality will allow continual growth. You shut off learning when you think you know everything. Be a white belt and take it all in. You'll be surprised.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">10. <b>Do What You Love or Quit</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">If you don't love what you do you need to. It will take time. It may be the hardest thing you ever decide to do. But it will be worth it. Growth is impossible without getting uncomfortable. And that is what the Hero's Journey is all about. Remember we are living and not simply existing. Attack your dreamsI</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">In this non-inclusive list many things could be added but here at 10 lessons I've learned in the past 18 months. </span></span><br />
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Remember to always shine your light!<br />
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Love what you do or quit!<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-69286403709242273032014-10-14T04:15:00.003-07:002014-10-14T04:15:19.311-07:00Opportunities
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Opportunities come every week if not every day. Some are more apparent than others. Some look more like challenges and steps backwards rather than an opportunity. Some occur after a change in status, relationship, or job. This change in status has inherent things associated with it. These things are challenges to see if you can cut it. Are you willing to do what it takes to take on this new thing? Challenges await you on your Hero’s Journey. </div>
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When we ask for our dreams and work towards them, a lot of the time the dreams are manifested. But we give up or complain when the challenges associated with our dreams await us. Keep going! The challenges will always arise to see if you are truly worthy of the achievement associated with the dream. Your dreams are yours! Your challenges are yours! Just decide that the journey - The Hero’s Journey - is worth the pain of a few challenges. </div>
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What is your why? </div>
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It must be greater than the challenge.</div>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-31001019437703728952014-10-03T05:32:00.000-07:002014-10-03T05:32:06.940-07:00Reaching The Threshold<span class="bqQuoteLink" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px;"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/wclements155734.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="view quote"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everyone who achieves success in a great venture, solves each problem as they came to it. They helped themselves. And they were helped through powers known and unknown to them at the time they set out on their voyage. They keep going regardless of the obstacles they met.</span></a></span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">W. Clement Stone</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Prior to this week I was incapacitated by numbness and depression. The lack of feeling and apathy overtook me. The previous 6 weeks of training caught up to me and I had overreached. The typical effects of overreaching had hit me like a train moving at hundreds of miles per hour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Being a coach, my energy is highly contagious. Athletes feed off of my energy. They can immediately tell when I'm low and when I'm high. It puts a big damper on my feelings towards myself when I am in the numb and depressed state. My creativity is zapped and all I can think of doing is hiding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The previous 6 weeks of training was intense. I broke many personal records and challenged my own ideas of the limits. My strength, work capacity, and mental toughness drastically improved. And then the train hit me. Anxiety, depression, and fear drowned my days. I felt like staying in bed and avoiding things. After a period of time, a much needed visit from my loving mother, and a few organizational changes I started fresh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">This week was wonderful. I felt like myself, waking up excited to attack the day. My coaching was much better. My training was better than ever as I had 5 PR's in one workout. Surprising myself on a lift by doing 20 more kilograms than previously. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">And that is the yin and yang of training. The give and take. Am I at the point where I NEED to overreach to break plateaus? I'm not sure. But there may be alternative ways to break plateaus not involving the symptoms of overreaching. Or maybe there aren't and that is the beauty of life. The ups and downs of training are indicative of life and if we can overcome these plateaus by going beyond what we have previously done there will be trade-offs. And right now it seems worth it. During the suck, it doesn't seem worth it. But maybe that is training. And maybe knowing is half the battle. Selecting training around a couple weeks where I am not obligated to do a lot of things may be an alternative.</span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take-Aways</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">1. To break plateaus you must work ridiculously hard</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">2. Before the reward of breaking the plateau there will be a huge drop-off </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">3. Training is indicative of life </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 20px;">4. Ask yourself - Is it worth it to grow stronger?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-90244874175928938922014-09-05T04:34:00.000-07:002014-09-05T04:34:02.698-07:00Realize Your Opportunity & Grab It<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><b>When you do what you fear most, then you can do </b></span></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">anything.</span></b></h3>
<h3>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">~</span></span>Stephen Richards</b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jon Gordon's "The No Complaining Rule" outlines the importance of wordplay on success. His get to vs. have to is an important lesson.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thehersjou-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0470279494&asins=0470279494&linkId=WBF55VUUK45UXRTJ&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Opportunity: Get to vs. Have to</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You GET to do what you love to do. You GET to play the game you love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you don't love it you need to re-evaluate your values and what you want. Because it's going to take total commitment from every aspect of your life. Everything has a role in your journey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Discipline carries over. Discipline to floss your teeth. Discipline to clean your house. Discipline to plan your meals. Discipline to be on time. Discipline to follow your exercise/training program. It ALL carries over. Discipline is not a switch we can turn on and off. It must be cultivated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You GET to train in the weight room. You GET to use ice baths, hot-tub, and sauna to recover. Most schools around here are not as lucky as we are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Take advantage of your resources. Remember I am always here to talk to anyone who needs it. I live for you guys and your success is my success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do not cut corners. Do not give yourself a free pass. Be the change you want to see. Be the leader. Be the doer. Be the hero in your own story.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What would the Hero do is a question to reflect upon weekly. Would the hero take days off? Would the Hero cut corners? Would the Hero trade instant gratification in the form of drugs and alcohol, sleeping in and missing class, and being late to lifting, meetings, and class?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Or would the Hero inspire others? Would the Hero bring together a team and form something special? Maybe the Hero would leave a legacy out on the field each day. Each day in the weight room. Each day in the classroom.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You have a GREAT opportunity in front of you each day men.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am not able to help but be EXCITED every morning when I wake up because I get to do what I love to do. And I hope everyone can feel that same feeling. I have faith in you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now go CRUSH IT!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As always,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Love What You Do or Quit & Shine Your Light</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/crushit?source=feed_text&story_id=830370033660162" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span class="_58cl" style="color: #6d84b4;"></span></a></span></div>
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Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-34573872400576745702014-09-03T05:43:00.000-07:002014-09-03T05:43:02.122-07:00Awareness & Remembering It All<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>I think it is all a matter of love; the more you love a memory the stronger and stranger it becomes</i></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="color: #181818;">~ Vladimir Nabokov</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="color: #181818;"><br /></span></i></span>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnBZYgGzJHptOF8EuToBwFFvVBHhhGa_guM1-moq83bUofnrQ-pw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnBZYgGzJHptOF8EuToBwFFvVBHhhGa_guM1-moq83bUofnrQ-pw" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="color: #181818;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember everything </span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember when I was chubby growing up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember watching the 1997 State Championship Basketball team from our town and looking up to everyone</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember wishing one of them would mentor me - even though I didn't know what the meant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember when I was too scared to kiss the girl at recess in the 2nd grade with everyone watching.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being rejected in 4th grade by my biggest crush</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being made fun of for being chubby</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember looking at myself in the mirror and wondering if I'd ever not be fat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember crying after basketball games even if we won because of the way I played</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember never being satisfied and never patting myself on the back</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being so terribly unconfident </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember having terrible self-esteem</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember terribly overthinking EVERYTHING</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember in high school working hard at weights and basketball as my body changed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember losing all those games my freshman year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember a fellow athlete who ribbed on people ask me if I had a lisp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember people doubting me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember people calling me a "Try Hard"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being different</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember hurting people</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being selfish</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the pain I caused</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember treating women poorly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being callus and mean towards my mother - someone who is an angel among us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember disliking my father tremendously</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember learning to love my father</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember rejection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember when I decided NOT to go out for Football</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember when I DID go out for Football</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember playing basketball in college and a former rival was on the team</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember him never respecting me as a player and his smug attitude</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember not being "cool"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember not giving a fuck</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember getting lost in drugs and documentaries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember making the decision at the stoplight in Rochester that "I AM going to lose 30lbs and have abs" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember working my ass off doing interval training up to 12mph with an incline 2-3 days a week</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember dunking it consistently for the first time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember learning how to train after just doing what I knew previously</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember bawling my eyes out in my driveway as I talked to my Mom about the next step</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember how she supported me even though my path wasn't as clear cut as her other children</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being in a new place in Winona and feeling excited, nervous, and overwhelmed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember right before a girl I was seeing and took a liking too cut off all communication abruptly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember meeting a girl afterwards and enjoying her company (still friends : )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember meeting a friend that will always be close to my heart</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember pouring out to him on our countless barefoot walks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember exploring my mind and expanding it more than I could ever imagine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember committing to be a Strength & Conditioning Coach</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember ALL of the people who helped me become a better coach at Winona State</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember ALL of the talks we had in the offices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember ALL of the effort put forth by them for me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being scared and leaving to University of Northern Iowa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being in the dogma of Bulgarian Training</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />I remember OVER-training - UNDER-recovering and frying my nervous system</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember learning so much from the Strength Coaches at Northern Iowa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being nervous about the next step and where/if it would happen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember receiving the call from Dakota State University and accepting the Graduate Assistantship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember being scared shitless of being THE GUY</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the struggles of building a culture, getting teams to buy in, and being organized</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember committing to living in the weight room closet</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the sacrifices </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the air mattress puncturing and sleeping on the concrete floor for 2 nights</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember sneaking a twin mattress in so I could get some sleep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the constant angst about someone finding out - even though most probably had an inkling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember feeling proud about the sacrifices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember my brother dying 1 month into starting the job</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember feeling stressed prior to the accident - And suddenly everything was put into perspective</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember squatting 460lbs and then 470lbs for PR's - all while living in the weight room - I said it gave me +5 Strength. The gallon whole milk and rice didn't hurt either</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the pain of being away from the girl I deeply cared about</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the feelings of reuniting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />I remember the pain of her leaving</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the pain of knowing she was with someone else</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the pain and confusion associated with her new "boyfriend"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember wondering (ego) why I was never Facebook official</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember not giving a fuck, again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember when I realized my ego felt accepted when she accepted me and rejected when it was over. And that was why I was feeling so shitty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember that love is not ownership</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember that love is boundless</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember that my ego has wants and needs to - but that I don't have to succumb to its pressures</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember feeling so relieved after moving out of the weight room and sleeping in an apartment - A shitty apartment that feels like a CASTLE to me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the athletes who tell me I make a difference and are the reason they are better</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember the athlete who was much like me in terms of confidence - And coaching him through it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember accepting the position as the first Head Strength & Conditioning Coach in Dakota State University's history</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I remember it all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm filled with so much gratitude. Nothing can quantify how grateful I am for all the experiences in life. I love them all. They have shaped me into the person I am. The perspective of pain, loss, growth, acceptance, and love have taught me tremendously. I am so fucking grateful I get to do what I LOVE. The BEST part is waking up EXCITED to do what I love to do. Life isn't about being happy. It's about being excited to wake up in the morning. Because if you can do that, you'll be happy most of the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And through it all - Depression, Thoughts of Ending it all, Intense Love, Rejection, Failures, and HUGE breakthroughs - I am completely accepting of it all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And paraphrasing Elliott Hulse says, "Sometimes, I even ask for hardships because I know at the other side is greatness."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shine On and Crush It</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As Always,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Love What You Do Or Quit</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">PS: This song is incredibly inspiring to me because I know the man and am glad to call him a friend. I know some of the struggles of his life, the process to take action towards his dreams, and his continued work towards being the strongest version of himself. Check it out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/michael-neppel/tikitorch" target="_blank">Michael James Project - Tiki Torch</a></span></b></div>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-79445680126388813842014-09-01T21:40:00.001-07:002014-09-01T21:40:32.479-07:00Taking Care of Business<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Live your passion. What does that mean, anyway? It means that when you get up for work every morning, every single morning, you are pumped because you get to talk about or work with or do the thing that interests you the most in the world. You don’t live for vacations because you don’t need a break from what you’re doing—working, playing, and relaxing are one and the same. You don’t even pay attention to how many hours you’re working because to you, it’s not really work. You’re making money, but you’d do whatever it is you’re doing for free.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">~ Gary Vaynerchuk - Crush It<br />
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<i>Danielle Barck @barckart on Instagram</i></div>
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Today was a first. I used punishment as exercise for the first time. It wasn't planned. I didn't wake up pissed off. Well, I take that back. I woke up pissed off for greatness. And with the caffeine running through my veins in combination with the excitement of starting the week with my athletes, I was ready to go!<br />
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And an obstacle came into the road. Action needed to be taken and it needed to be swift. The response was nervousness and many being scared shitless. The message was sent and the tone was unwavering.<br />
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There is no middle ground. When going in the direction of your dreams you must plunge all in. If you don't, just quit and cut your losses. Martin Rooney talks about myths and one of them is that winners never quit. If you don't love what you do you need to quit immediately. If, however, you ARE doing what you LOVE to do and you are NOT taking action in the direction of your dream things need to change.<br />
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<h4>
3 MUSTS</h4>
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1. Show Up</h3>
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Half of life is SHOWING UP. Just show up. Nothing can get done if you stay home.<br />
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2. Take Action in the Direction of Your Dreams</h3>
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After you show up, action needs to be taken. Gary Vaynerchuk has said "ideas are shit, execution is sexy." What he means is not that ideas are worthless, rather they drive innovation. But ideas by themselves without action are shit. Execution is sexy. Taking action in the direction of your dreams is the only way to move forward. Mental masturbation does not get us closer. It feels good to think about our dreams and talk about them but if you don't take action it's useless.<br />
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<h3>
3. Serve Others</h3>
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At the end of it all you MUST serve others. Whatever you do in life you MUST serve others. Be the authentic you in whatever your field is and combine that with service to whoever your target group is. For me, it's the athletes and coaches. I bleed and live for the athletes. I wake up every day excited to do what I love to do and get them better. Last year I felt like I didn't do a great job but it was the first year. This year I feel like I'm crushing it. But I'm sure I'll look back it and see some changes I could make. The point is to SERVE others authentically as you can.<br />
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As Always,<br />
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Crush It and Love What You Do Or QuitAlex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-18505421873482567682014-09-01T05:20:00.000-07:002014-09-01T05:20:26.514-07:00Love Your Haters<h4>
<i style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most haters are stuck in a poisonous mental prison of jealousy and self-doubt that blinds them to their own potentiality.</span></b></i></h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i>~Steve Maraboli</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When thinking about "haters" we often think about the external environment. We think about people on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, peers, and even family members. People talk about grinding every day and proving the haters wrong.
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></h4>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Listen To ME</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our biggest haters are OURSELVES. Conquer the hater in your mind and you will be unaffected by any external hater. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To conquer oneself is the best and noblest victory; to be vanquished by one's own nature is the worst and most ignoble defeat.</span></i></h1>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plato</span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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</b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>
</i></b></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>I started to realize how many great things could happen by confronting the things that scare you most.</i></b></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">David Archuleta </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></h4>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Conquering Your Mind</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To conquer one's mind is one of the most difficult tasks as a human. But it is the most rewarding. Life is such a beautiful experience when you conquer your mind. Conversely, life is a living hell if you are controlled by your mind.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do the thing and you will have the power</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From the smallest to the biggest fears, if we can set out and face one each day we are truly living. We are growing from day to day, excited to see what's on the other side of the obstacle---or the perceived obstacle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
Obstacle Is The Way</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ryan Holiday writes about how the obstacles in front of us ARE they way to being everything we are capable of being. He writes:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"It’s okay to be discouraged. It’s not okay to quit. To know you want to quit but to plant your feet and keep inching closer until you take the impenetrable fortress you’ve decided to lay siege to in your own life—that’s persistence.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">And he goes on to say it is our DUTY to do well in the world and serve others. It's not enough to be the best person you can be and face your fears---you must be of great service to the world too.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing and herever we are going, we owe it to ourselves, to our art, to the world to do it well.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Be Your Biggest Advocate: Head On Through Your Fears</span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The following list are actionable steps into your life to immediately begin conquering your mind and fears.</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Be kind to yourself</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Forgive yourself</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Move on</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Write down 1 specific goal with a specific timeline to finish it</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Take 1 daily step towards this goal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Use no judgment towards yourself while taking steps towards your goal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b>Do the thing you're afraid to do</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Drink half your bodyweight in water; you'll think better</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Train </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Training your body will train your mind provided you push the limits and have the mentality to break Personal Records every time you step in the gym</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Carve your successes in stone and write your failures in sand</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Develop the <b>Next Play </b>attitude regardless of good or bad in the past</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Smile :)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b>Act As IF</b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Act As If the most respected and trusted person in your field was watching how you operate, how you conduct yourself, how you respond to success and adversity</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b>Be The Hero In Your Own Story</b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">What would the Hero do? Would he pick himself up off the ground and fight back with everything he has? Would he give up on his dreams? Would she say I'll get to it tomorrow?</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b>Do What You Love Or Quit</b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">If you don't LOVE what you're doing make a plan to get out of the situation regardless of the struggles you will face</span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Conclusion</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People think of haters as something external too often. It's immediately something outside themselves. When in reality, we are our own haters. We stop ourselves more than anyone else. So, LOVE your haters is more loving yourself. Love the voice in your head that "hates" on you and takes you away or tries to take you away from your goals. And once you love the voice--you're one step closer to conquering the mind. No external hater will ever affect you if you love the hater in your own mind</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">As always, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b>CRUSH IT</b></span></span></div>
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Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-39992895114406056802014-08-30T08:43:00.002-07:002014-08-30T08:44:03.541-07:00It's Not Where You Start - It's Where You Finish<h3>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.</span></i></span></h3>
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</i> <i><b>~ J. Sidlow Baxter</b></i></div>
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The situation you are in right now is for the most part your own doing. Let that sink in. Regardless of how you got there you need to stop playing the blame game. You played a role in getting yourself in this situation<br />
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But this doesn't have to be how it ends. It may be your story today but you can choose to change it.</div>
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<a href="http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=Ewqnfufbs9I&p=n#/18;40" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pain Is Temporary</a></h2>
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<b>From TUT:</b></h4>
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What little, mortal, baby steps can I take today that will demonstrate expectancy, prepare for my dream's manifestation, and above all, place me within reach of life's magic?</div>
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Little & Often Over The Long Haul</h4>
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<b>Dan John</b> talks about this idea in many of his writings including <b>Never Let Go</b>. It's not about the big, grandiose steps when making changes. It's about the baby steps.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thehersjou-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1931046387&asins=1931046387&linkId=IOTQ67JBQGEYX23H&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><br /> </iframe><br />
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<b>Walk for 30 minutes every day when starting exercise</b></div>
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<b>Drink Half your Bodyweight in Ounces of Water Every Day</b></div>
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<b>Get 7-8 hours of Quality Sleep </b></div>
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<b>Wake up 15 minutes earlier</b></div>
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<b>Meditate for 1 minute a day</b></div>
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<b>Do 1 Push up</b></div>
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<b>Be the first to say hello to a stranger in passing</b></div>
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Each of these things are simple, yet not easy. We are slaves to our habits. We must then choose healthy habits over poor habits.</div>
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<b>The Greatest Salesman in The World </b></h3>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thehersjou-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=055327757X&asins=055327757X&linkId=SLAPYI2ASXF7HAA7&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><br /> </iframe><br />
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OG Mandino talks about his idea this book. I highly recommend this book as it is a great resource in becoming the best version of yourself.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">What's Holding You Back?</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Listen, it may sound cliche but if you don't LOVE what you do either QUIT or start hustling after work. If you have a passion but are not able to do it during the day because of work then get to work after "work". </span></div>
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Yes, it takes tremendous courage, follow-through, discipline, consistency, and continued action to make it work. But isn't it worth it to wake up excited?</div>
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Isn't it worth it to LOVE what you do - Regardless of the tremendous amount of work and effort needed to accomplish it?</div>
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If you ARE NOT able to answer with a resounding yes, you will never be the person you are capable of becoming. </div>
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The world needs people who dream big and follow through on their dreams. The world doesn't need worker bee's maintaining the status quo.</div>
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Break away and plunge into the darkness. Because each time you plunge forward it becomes a tiny bit easier. And eventually, you ask for challenges so you can move even farther ahead. Fear is like that. It starts out as an incapacitating feeling that halts us. But once we master it and use our Courage muscle consistently, things which were once paralyzing turn into excitement.</div>
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One last book I would recommend is Courage by OSHO.<br />
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I keep extra copies on hand to give to people that I think are ready for it. It has been one of the most influential books I've ever read. <br />
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Conclusion</h4>
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As Gary Varynerchuk says - And what I am adopting and stealing...</div>
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<b>LOVE WHAT YOU DO OR QUIT </b><br />&<br /><b>CRUSH IT</b></h3>
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Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-6586196292890930882014-08-30T06:42:00.002-07:002014-08-30T06:43:26.668-07:00Seeing the Change in Others: A Beautiful Experience<br />
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<a href="http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-in-order-to-succeed-we-must-first-believe-that-we-can-nikos-kazantzakis-99475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-in-order-to-succeed-we-must-first-believe-that-we-can-nikos-kazantzakis-99475.jpg" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Yesterday as I was reflecting on how my fellow strength coach and friend has progressed it made me excited. I've seen how he has transformed and grown. He's had up's and down's. He's had times when he was inconsistent. He's had times when he had to take a break so he could pay the bills. But he always comes back and puts in the time and effort. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Love What You Do Or Quit </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Gary Vaynerchuk's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crush-It-Time-Cash-Passion/dp/0061914177/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409406023&sr=8-1&keywords=crush+it" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Crush I</b>t</a> is a great, practical resource for doing what you love to do and getting paid for it. But more than that, he stresses connection.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">REAL connection with people. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">My friend has many things to work on and he will struggle along the way through the change. But he WILL be successful. He has it in him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">His WHY is greater than the fears. He has it in him to serve others and help others become the strongest version of themselves. He has it in him to become stronger and courageous--while helping others do the same. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">His focus needs to improve but I can already see it happening now. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">And seeing this change right before my eyes is a beautiful experience. I LOVE being around people that are focused on their goals and grind to get it done. He's working, taking 19 credits, and volunteering so that he can become a better coach. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Some days will be harder than other than others. But our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJWIRyUAur8" target="_blank"><b>FOCUS</b></a> needs to be the 24 hours in front of us and not the big picture. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJWIRyUAur8" target="_blank"><b>FOCUS</b></a> on today and get it done.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">I'm looking forward to each day we work together because I learn something from him each time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">Love What You Do Or Quit and as Gary V would say...</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">CRUSH IT</span></span></h4>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-74937419211876204382014-08-29T17:56:00.002-07:002014-08-29T17:56:52.350-07:00Learning to Become a Better & More Effective Leader: 10 Things I've Learned<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is. Everything you gain in life will rot and fall apart. And all that will be left of you is what was in your heart.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jim Carrey</span></div>
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<h4>
Experiences </h4>
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My experiences have led me to become a leader. The age old argument of born leaders and made leaders is for another topic. But leaders CAN be molded.<br />
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I've been blessed to have many experiences</h4>
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Great coaches & Poor coaches<br /></h3>
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Mentors in my field who will break their back to help me<br /></h3>
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Family to support choices<br /></h3>
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Athletes who refuse to buy in<br /></h3>
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Athletes who seemingly love every second of it<br /></h3>
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Failures as a coach<br /></h3>
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Nervousness in front of people<br /></h3>
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Timidness to call an athlete out<br /></h3>
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Procrastination in dealing with important matters<br /></h3>
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HUGE feedback from second hand sources on the impact I'm making<br /></h3>
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People who could care less what I do<br /></h3>
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Peers and Friends who support me in becoming physically, mentally, & spiritually stronger</h3>
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And many more.</h3>
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The point is I have had plenty of experiences of failures. But it is not in how often we get knocked down but how many times we get up and keep moving forward.<br />
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But you must LEARN from the failures and use them as opportunities to move past the roadblock. My firm belief is the Universe, Allah, God, or Animating Force (whatever you care to call it) puts challenges in front of you when you are on your Hero's Journey. And if you fail to courageously meet the challenge--SHOW UP--it gives them more reason not to give you another chance. Now, we continue to get chance after chance, but after a while our luck WILL run out.<br />
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ACT AS IF</h3>
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Why not? Why not meet the challenges, look yourself in the mirror, reach down with all you have in your essence, and grab your balls. Breathe into your balls as Elliott Hulse would say. Because if you are not able to do what it takes to become the person you are capable of then you do not deserve it. Complain and bitch all you want but you dig your own grave and rot in hell while living on Earth if you do not become the strongest version of yourself through doing what you love. Might be harsh but it's the truth. No more middle ground.<br />
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<br />10 Things I've learned from my Experiences:</h4>
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1. Have & Set Standards<br />2. Demand Excellence<br />3. Have Great Energy & Enthusiasm<br />4. Motivate & Inspire when necessary<br />5. Laugh & Have a Sense of Humor<br />6. Be Approachable<br />7. Carve Successes in Stone & Write Failures in Sand<br />8. Talk the Talk & Walk the Walk<br />9. Serve Others<br />10. Love Your Work</h3>
<br />Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-86360150101520039652014-08-04T04:47:00.002-07:002014-08-04T04:47:20.816-07:00Search for Benefit in your Pain
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<b>Living life fully invites pain. It invites suffering. It invites struggle. Why not get a reward from these things?</b></div>
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<b>You will lose.</b><br /><b>You will fail.</b><br /><b>You will suffer.</b><br /><b>You will make mistakes you wish you could take back.</b><br /><b>You will lose loved ones. </b></h4>
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<b>These things are all apart of life. But your beauty is reflected in the way you respond to these things. Because that is all they are.</b></div>
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<b>THINGS. </b></h4>
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<b>They happened to you. They are NOT you. </b></div>
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<b>Do not personally identify with your mistakes, failures, loss, and suffering. Remove yourself from this. Be the observer instead of the perceiver.</b></div>
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<b>Observe what is happening and what positive can come from it.</b></div>
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<b>Hold back from complaining about your situation. Bite your tongue. Unless there is a solution that can be made of it, hold your tongue. </b></div>
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<b>Complaining is productive if it is brought up to someone who can take action on the complaint. Mindlessly complaining is wasteful energy on both parties. Bring up complaints to the specific person or keep your mouth shut. This will help in interpersonal relationships.</b></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<b>People may not like you but they will respect you. If you’re worried about everyone liking you, you better get over it quick. It’s NOT going to happen. </b></div>
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<b>Action</b></h4>
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<b>Practice one healthy habit of dealing with mistakes, failures, and suffering each day to better prepare for when life really hits you hard. It’s the little habits repeated daily that make the difference.</b></div>
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<b>Little and often over the long haul. </b></div>
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Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-70988454537744146462014-08-02T06:04:00.002-07:002014-08-02T06:04:25.140-07:00Embracing Obstacles, Failures, and Mistakes
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'proxima nova', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.796875px;">"I take the title “coach” very seriously. Being called a coach carries a tremendous amount of responsibility that comes with the title. So many people are looking for guidance, motivation and someone to believe in them at a time when they believe in themselves the least. The world needs more great coaches."</span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'proxima nova', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.796875px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'proxima nova', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Martin Rooney</span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7vpGGcakUqaiWJfDMFbujY-XKx5x2m7GJuUK-DnGnDiVBWAdVOw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7vpGGcakUqaiWJfDMFbujY-XKx5x2m7GJuUK-DnGnDiVBWAdVOw" /></a></div>
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Embracing Challenges, Perseverance, and Inspiration </h4>
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"Yea I love your enthusiasm about being a better coach. I feel like I became a much better athlete last year because of you and I can't wait to see what the future has in store.<span class="s1">”</span></div>
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"I have qualities that can help people grow so I want to use that to better people."</div>
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Above is an athlete who I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and coaching for the past year. He is one of the most diligent athletes I have ever coached. His attention to detail, willingness to learn, and effort are what a coach hopes to see in all his athletes. He writes his goals down, reads them every day, and goes towards them every day. If I say something of value, he practices it immediately. </div>
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During spring workouts, he had just hit 345lbs x 10 on the squat. His best squat up to that point was 385 for 1 rep! He was definitely stronger and was just coming into his own. He was so excited to hit the “4 plates” milestone, otherwise known as 405. For an athlete weighing only 160 lbs, it is very impressive. I was excited for him.</div>
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Then he had a contact knee injury that put him on the sideline for the foreseeable future. He is recovering now and ahead of schedule, which doesn’t surprise me. </div>
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Things like this happen everyday to great people. And people ask why? It’s almost natural. But the approach I take and encourage you to use is this:</div>
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<br /></div>
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This is the obstacle in my way of my goals.<br />Do I really want the goal I set out for?<br />Does this obstacle have more power than my diligence and effort each day? </h3>
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Think this:</h4>
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This is merely on of the obstacles in my to serve as a stepping stone to my goals. It is here to ask and see if I REALLY DO want my goals. And if I choose to keep my head up in failure and head down in success, I will be successful in overcoming this obstacle. And I will be grateful for it. Because without it, I would not have the opportunity to grow. And I pray for more obstacles, failures, and mistakes so that I can continue to grow. It sounds counterintuitive. But realize no greatness and mastery has ever been achieved without obstacles, failures, and mistakes. Welcome them. Accept them. And break through them.</div>
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<h4>
This athlete inspires me. </h4>
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"Yea I love your enthusiasm about being a better coach. I feel like I became a much better athlete last year because of you and I can't wait to see what the future has in store.<span class="s2">”</span></div>
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"I have qualities that can help people grow so I want to use that to better people."</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Martin Rooney says you will be a great coach once you put more stock into your athletes than you do in your own training</b>. Recently, my excitement has soared to a peak it has never been at. And as a challenge, I have altered my training to only 2 days per week. This gives me more energy to give to my athletes both in the weight room and out. And I am excited to see what this type of training does to my overall well being. </div>
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<h4>
Be the hero in your own story!</h4>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-45988958514899794312014-08-01T04:36:00.001-07:002014-08-01T04:36:24.997-07:00Mastery of Fear<br />
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Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai p. 113</h4>
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It is said that every time, the late Oki Hyobu’s group gathered and after all their affairs were finished he would say,</div>
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<b><i>“Young men should discipline themselves rigorously in intention and courage. This will be accomplished if only courage is fixed in one’s heart. If one’s sword is broken, he will strike with his hands. If his hand are cut off, he will press the enemy down with his shoulders. If his shoulders are cut away, he will bite through ten or fifteen enemy necks with his teeth. Courage is such a thing."</i></b></div>
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<b>Intention and Courage </b></h4>
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You need to hold in your heart your intention, your purpose, your mission in life. If you do not have a goal to reach in the short and long term as part of a bigger purpose, you will never achieve greatness. Just like you intend to go to the grocery store you NEED to intend on greatness. Set your mind on your purpose and go headlong into it with <b>courage. Nothing of value will be achieved without getting uncomfortable. </b>Outside one’s comfort zone lies greatness, mastery, and mastery of fear. Courage is such a thing. The more you overcome fear and come closer to mastery the bigger your courage muscle gets. The bigger your courage muscle the more freedom you have of your own life. </div>
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<b><i>Do the thing and you will have the power. </i></b></h4>
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This is what Emerson was talking about. Do what makes you scared. Do it over and over. And then pick something else. Because it is an obstacle allowing you to become free if you choose to partake in it. </div>
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<b>Courage is such a thing</b></h4>
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Setting out on your Hero’s journey will require you to get outside your comfort zone. More than you ever have in your whole life. So why not start now? Start doing things outside your comfort zone daily. </div>
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<b>Little and often over the long haul</b></h4>
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Little courageous acts daily build up the muscle. Just like physical exercise in training, these courageous acts continue to allow us to grow. The powerful feeling you receive as a rite of passage is amazing. Passing through this life existing rather than living is the greatest mistake. LIVE. Make mistakes, grow, learn, and make a new mistake. </div>
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<h4>
<b>FAIL</b></h4>
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Failure is one the best teachers you will ever encounter. I’ve failed so many times I would bore you. But all those failures add up to one moment of achievement and overwhelming emotions take over. It’s truly amazing to work so hard for something and finally achieve it, with only you knowing all the times you failed. On the outside, it looks like that person is successful and gets it right every time. On the inside, the person knows how many failures it took to get to that point. </div>
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<b>Perspective</b></h4>
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Every time you flex your courage muscle and overcome fear you come one step closer to mastery of fear. Fear will never leave but its hold on you will be less and less as you overcome it. <b><u>And when you face a difficult challenge—the biggest obstacle you’ve ever encountered, look back on your experience and know you’ve done this countless times.</u></b></div>
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<b>AND CRUSH IT!</b></div>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-64519609401164836892014-07-31T04:59:00.002-07:002014-07-31T04:59:53.310-07:00Leaders, Vampires, & Cowards
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Two gems from Jerry Seinfeld below illustrate the importance of doing the work how to deal with failure and success.</div>
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<b>Do your work, and you won't have to worry about anything else</b>.</div>
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<i>AND</i></div>
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<b>Keep your head up in failure and your head down in success. </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-seinfeld-ama-career-advice-2014-7" target="_blank">Jerry Seinfeld</a></div>
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<h2>
The Boat, The Middle, & The Shoreline</h2>
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Trudge through with 100% effort and grit as more success comes to you. But when you fail (you should be failing often and learning from each) keep your head up and view it as an opportunity to learn. Mentally strong individuals do this unconsciously. Practice the habit of looking for solutions instead of problems. Everyone can point out a problem with a situation. Few can offer actionable solutions.</div>
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Who wants to around an individual who points to problems the majority of the time? It spreads like the plague. Those people are vampires—energy suckers. But as a mentally strong individual and a solution finder you can flow with these people. Use their negativity as a source of positivity. It can serve as an opportunity to be steadfast in the mastery of yourself. </div>
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The way I see it there are 3 types of people when things are changing. </div>
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<li class="li1">On the boat</li>
<li class="li1">In the middle</li>
<li class="li1">On the shoreline</li>
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The people on the boat are ready to go and plunge into change. They are the leaders. They can also be followers who understand who the leaders are and are willing to put trust into these people.</div>
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The people on the shoreline may be new, scared, young, unsure, and/or all the above.</div>
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The people in the middle are the ones to be aware of. These people are the energy suckers. The vampires. Especially during a culture change. They will suck people from the boat AND the shoreline to legitimize their lack of courage. It takes courage to make a decision. And they want to be surrounded by people to feel better about their fears. </div>
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What is the solution?</h3>
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We are solution finders right? You must squash the people in the middle. They must be broken. Either they will hop on the boat or go back to the shoreline. <i><b>But no significant amount of people can remain in the middle if success culture change is your mission.</b></i></div>
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Why break them? They need to face their biggest fears. They need to be courageous. They are not living but simply existing. And it doesn’t just affect their own lives. It affects the people on the boat as they wonder if it really is worth all of the struggle. And it affects the people on the shore, inviting the idea that they made the right choice to stay on the shoreline. </div>
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Squash and break the people in the middle and it allows for the people on the shoreline to be more apt to hop on board and the leaders to re-focus on the task at hand. </div>
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<b><i>Energy is contagious and if we don’t break the people in the middle our chance at change greatly diminishes.</i></b></div>
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Q: What if people don’t like us because of this harshness? </div>
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A: Going in the direction of change will cause a holding on to the past. People will hold onto the comfortable due to their fears and lack of courage. You know you are successfully affecting change when many people oppose you.</div>
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Be courageous!</h3>
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Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-58067588030745289372014-07-29T09:44:00.001-07:002014-07-29T09:44:33.679-07:00The Beginning<br />
Well,<br />
<br />
It came down to today. Today was the decision on if I was going to get hired as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Dakota State University.<br />
<br />
Today, I achieved one goal I set last May when I arrived at the University of Northern Iowa. I wrote down in my journal, "I am going to be the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at a University. And well, it has happened.<br />
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I've failed so many times along the way. I've experienced ecstasy and brutal disappointment. My journey has hardly even begun. And if I were to die today, I would die knowing my time here was wall spent.<br />
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The amount of gratitude and gratefulness for all of you is not able to be expressed. And it shouldn't be attempted either. Some things are better left unsaid. But, thank you, all of you. I remember everything. I remember the positivity and the negativity. I remember being a scared boy for 20 some years of my life. And I remember who accepted me once I took the steps into the unknown. I remember all of you.<br />
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This work saves me every day. It saves me from the slow death of doing something I despise and see no purpose. It gives me energy to get up a 4am to start working. It gives me rushes of dopamine when ideas surface. And it shows me my biggest fears. It leads me to the darkness to see if I really have what it takes. Let me tell you, no one has faced more demons than me. They are mostly if not all self-induced but they were real. And these demons still come back. But the more I flex my courage muscle, the less of a hold they have. The less power they possess. And that is my purpose on this earth, in this body. It is to fully embrace my gifts and share them with the world. Not everyone will like me. Some will hate me. And that's all apart of the process.<br />
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"It's not what you get along the way, it's about you who become"<br />
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I'm working on a short book to chronicle my internal struggles from childhood to the present day. Not to pat myself on the back or be all about me, but to show those of you who have spent the majority of their lives in the dumps that there is hope. I've been DEEP in the gutter. I've had countless thoughts of "what the hell am I doing here" and "I don't want to live." But I knew in the back of my mind I was just scared. I was intensely scared to live my life authentically. I wanted to fit in more than I wanted to succeed. But all that is over now.<br />
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Yesterday I bought 3 domains. One of which is GETUNCOMFORTABLE.TV<br />
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This is going to be dedicated to anything and everything that makes me get uncomfortable. Think of it as me choosing to give free hugs in a mall versus me training. I would choose training more often. And as a result, I will do the opposite.<br />
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This will all be chronicled on the website with 90% videos and 10% written word. Hopefully podcasts can happen but I'm being selfish with this. I'm doing it for me but in that, I hope someone draws inspiration to live their most authentic life possible and master fear in the process.<br />
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Again, so much gratitude is pouring out of me. I couldn't have done this without the help of Zachary Fears Matt Sagar and Loren Liming for believing in me, working with me, pushing me and being there whenever I needed them. There's too many people to tag to thank but I wanted to make sure they were mentioned. My intentions aren't to slight anyone. Because I learn from everyone I meet.<br />
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In closing, I invite you to come along for the journey I embark upon. It has just begun.<br />
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-19903164509741893202014-06-05T10:12:00.000-07:002014-06-05T10:12:28.003-07:00Taking the First StepDefeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated<br />
until defeat has been accepted<br />
as a reality<br />
To me, defeat in anything is merely temporary,<br />
and its punishment is but an urge for me to exert greater effort<br />
to achieve my goal.<br />
Defeat simply tells me that something is wrong in my doing;<br />
it is a path leading to success and truth<br />
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~Bruce Lee<br />
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Pain</h3>
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We all feel it. Physical. Mental. Psychological. It's there. And when we feel it, it can be gut-wrenching. </div>
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What I feel right now is a mix of pain, energy, nervousness, and aliveness that has not been present for quite some time. It feels like my whole life has been marred with hiding under the covers, afraid to step into the light. My ego has been in control and my mind has been running my life. It wants to survive. And I have allowed it to take complete control over my life. The ego wants to be right. The more power we give it, the stronger it becomes. It's like the Native American tale about which wolf we feed. In my case, I've been feeding the ego more than my heart. </div>
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The Ego and Heart</h3>
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Living life underneath the covers is not living life at all. As a child, I can remember running away and hiding underneath the covers when I was scared. It seems like a natural thing to do. As an adult, the act of hiding underneath the covers has disappeared and shown itself in different ways without me knowing. </div>
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I've been a coward most of my life. How many risks have I actually taken? How many times have I actually been courageous? It's hard to even think of instances of using courage. In fact, it can probably be counted on one hand. This is not to put myself down and welcome pity. It's the reality I've created. </div>
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But we are not our past. And identifying weaknesses is one of the first keys. Identifying the problem is hugely important. And sometimes, it's the most difficult thing to accept. To accept that we ultimately have the power and control over our lives. To accept that our minds are a tool rather than identifying yourself as your mind. This is a trap. And I fell into it long ago. What I thought I knew was a lie my mind and ego tricked me with. They were protecting themselves. Now the mind and ego are not enemies of my heart, who I really am. But they have no place in things like love and dealings with the heart.</div>
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Listen</h3>
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The failure of listening to my heart and other people has led me astray. And once you have shown your inability to listen, people stop trying. It becomes a chore and a waste of energy for the people. This is what I have done to people around me. I've done it to myself as well. </div>
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Typing the failures is difficult and I feel a trembling. I feel a sort of shakiness. It's not paralyzing, but it's an energy that is unlike any other I have felt. It feels like a last chance, hanging off the top of a cliff. My hands are ripped, callused and bleeding. My grip is slipping and death is near. The heart is pleading with me one last time to pull myself up. The mind and ego want nothing to do with the heart. And this is the fork in the road. Who do I run towards? Who do I spend my time with now? Do I follow the mind and ego into the death of my soul? Or do I follow my heart, knowing it can break, knowing I will suffer, but knowing that by following it I will be saved. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The road has light, but it is very dim right now. The darkness can easily overtake me if I falter. And when choosing to listen to my heart, resistance will try and come in to drag me down. There is no second chance anymore. The time is now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><h3>
How Many Tomorrow's</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How many tomorrow's do we have? How many more times will we follow the darkness instead of the light? How many more times will we allow the mind to lead us instead of the heart? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It takes tremendous courage to live life fully. It may not look like what we associate with courage, but is the best example I can summon. People who live life fully are the most courageous. They are the heroes. They are the ones who serve as role models. Children are one of the best examples of courage and living life fully. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've had the pleasure to know some of these heroes. One in particular shines her light so bright. She fails, she falls, she gets back up and listens to her heart. She experiences life fully. The polar opposite has been me. Analyzing life instead of living. It's much easier to do that. Sit on the sideline and analyze life, you don't risk anything. To experience life and follow the heart is the most courageous and risky thing we can do. But is the most glorious adventure. And for the short time knowing her, it's amazing to have been around it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We all have the ability to do great things, to lead with our hearts. I am an example of someone who has let the mind lead me. And it has led me to horrible pains and depression. It doesn't have to be that way. We all have something we are pulled towards. And in this time we are living, it's possible to make those dreams of our heart into something we can call work. But without living life, we will be a shell of ourselves. A Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story. Sometimes living life and being wonderful, someone who people love being around and sometimes being the vampire and sucking everyone's energy. We have the choice, we have the power, and it lies in being courageous. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How many tomorrow's do we have? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope that each day can be a step in the right direction. I hope I can find the strength and courage to continue on. Because while doing so will influence my happiness, it will influence everyone around me too.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And living a life where so much is wasted is one of my biggest fears. We all have something to give and something to share. But if we don't take care of ourselves first, we will waste our opportunity. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So if you take anything from this post, hopefully you learn the anguish associated with letting your mind lead you through life instead of your heart. Observe your mind and watch your mind, but do not associate your being with it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's so much love in this world and so many things we can do to help each other. Start with loving yourself and following your heart. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It will lead you to amazing places. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-79589056794345025582014-06-04T22:37:00.003-07:002014-06-04T22:37:51.082-07:00Living The Cowardly Life: All Over The Place<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Falling in love you remain a child; rising in love you mature. By and by love becomes not a relationship, it becomes a state of your being. Not that you are in love - now you are love.” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2856822.Osho" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Osho</a><br />
<br />
Access to information. Everything at our fingertips. Connectivity with anyone, anywhere. But where am I?<br />
<br />
Osho talks about peace of mind. He says no, it's peace of no-mind. Having no-mind is what we need. And for me especially. Most everything in my life is a result of being in one of these states: mind or no-mind. <br />
<br />
It's a world full of opportunity out there, full of possibilities. My little niece runs around with her no-mind attitude and simply is. She is loving. She is caring. She is joyful. She gets upset. But she lives. She goes in the direction of her heart, like all kids do before being conditioned otherwise. The Hero's Journey for me is going back to the no-mind attitude of a child.<br />
<br />
To the close-minded, Forrest Gump was unintelligent. He stuttered, his social skills were awkward, and seemed like he was "dumb". Look closer. He went after what his heart led him to. Sure, he took orders. But he did them to the best of his ability without "thinking" about the consequences, good or bad. This mentality is something to get back to. Forrest Gump had superb intelligence, if you measure it in the proper way. <br />
<br />
I aim to be as transparent as possible on here because maybe someone can learn from my mistakes. <br />
<br />
For most of my life I have been inside my mind instead of living. It takes a lot of, if not all of my energy to be in this place. Maybe it's chemical, maybe it's habit, who knows. What I am beginning to understand, at least to a small degree, is what brings me to the this state of mind.<br />
<br />
Broadly, it is simply fully loving and accepting myself. This is the supreme problem most of us have, the problems we encounter stem from not loving and accepting ourselves. For me, changing my body certainly has not been the "answer" to loving and accepting myself. As a kid, I was chubby and would often look into the mirror wondering, "Will I be like this forever." And working hard to change that was difficult and a process which has led me to where I am currently a strength and conditioning coach. There are no "answers" though. Making it a habit to learn to love and accept ourselves is one of the greatest habits to learn.<br />
<br />
If you have trouble loving and accepting yourself, ask why? Honestly ask why, and practice some things below to help you on your journey.<br />
<br />
<h3>
1. Meditate. Do nothing. </h3>
<br />
Something of this nature where we simply sit and do nothing. Be present. Whatever you choose, make it a habit. It's too easy to be busy all day and not take time to be kind to ourselves.<br />
<br />
<h3>
2. Call loved ones.</h3>
<br />
When things get crazy in your head and in the world around you, do you keep it inside or do you call someone and talk? Too often I keep it inside only for it to bubble up some place else, eventually. And it's not fun dealing with it later. Like a dirty sink that keeps piling up and piling up, eventually it needs to be cleaned. And it doesn't get any easier by putting it off.<br />
<br />
Yes, people have their own problems to deal with. But people are also loving and caring. They will lend an ear to you if you are going through a tough time. Relationships grow as a result.<br />
<br />
<h3>
3. Journal</h3>
<br />
Sometimes just writing things down can make us feel better. I know it helps me. The combination of journaling and calling loved ones are two small steps to getting things out.<br />
<br />
<h3>
4. Movement. Exercise. Screaming. Bioenergetics.</h3>
<br />
Getting the body moving is important. We have monkey DNA and need ot express ourselves. You don't have to be an Olympian to participate either. Doing something physically challenging makes life a little bit easier. And sometimes, we need to scream like children do. Let it all out. You might surprise yourself at how much better you feel.<br />
<br />
<br />
Using this list is not the be all end all. There are many more things you could add.<br />
<br />
Bottom line.<br />
<br />
The mind is a tool. Follow your heart and lead with courage.<br />
<br />
It's time for me to finally digest the words I've written.Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-74571190896465764622014-04-02T00:48:00.003-07:002014-04-02T00:48:50.662-07:00Why Do You Train?
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The law of nature is, do the thing, and you
shall have the power: but they who do not the thing have not the power. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">~ Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></div>
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Two girls asked me why I train. I answered rather quickly but calmly, “It’s what I do, I love it.” They said it would be awesome to have this job. And I said you could. I chose it because I don’t want to work. I’m lazy like that. I love doing what I enjoy and have chosen my love as my work. </div>
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After training, I took a shower. You know the feeling of ideas all the sudden coming to you when you’re driving or showering? Ideas came rushing in and thoughts as well. The question reappeared and asked, “Why do you train.” </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
My gut said, because it makes everything else easier. It also allows me to push the limits and experience failures. Overcoming adversity is the difference between good and great. Now, knowing that is half the battle. But why wait to have adversity hit you on a Tuesday afternoon? Manufacture it through training. Push yourself. Test your limits. Experience failure. Enjoy success. But realize it’s all a process. As Elliott Hulse says in his videos, it’s not about what you get in your pursuit of becoming the strongest version of yourself, it’s who you become along the way. </div>
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And when life hits you with a freight train like your brother dying, a break up with the one you love or a financial burden like student loans or freak accident use your perspective to realize you’ve done this before. The courage muscle has been flexed over and over in training and you can overcome this obstacle as well. Life is partly about overcoming challenges. Because if you are unable or unwilling to overcome and persevere through life’s challenges, you do not deserve to live your wildest dreams. </div>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-54809878642723896722013-11-17T05:56:00.002-08:002013-11-17T05:58:31.885-08:00What Is Your Yoga?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mY98Hj7oImE/UojKmHtgXsI/AAAAAAAAAI8/_TQsRzgfH7w/s1600/serenity1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mY98Hj7oImE/UojKmHtgXsI/AAAAAAAAAI8/_TQsRzgfH7w/s320/serenity1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked.”</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span>Patanjali<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali</span></i></span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 15.590278625488281px;">Why Yoga?</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.590278625488281px;">Yoga provides and allows for the calming of the mind. Practiced by many cultures over thousands of </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.590278625488281px;">years, yoga does not have boundaries. Now, and throughout time, yoga has taken on many forms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Simply, yoga means union. Union with the divine. You have--we all have a yoga. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">For some, it is in fact, yoga</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">For others, it is gardening</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Some, music</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">For others, it is meditation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Some, writing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">For others, it is training</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Some, have yet to discover their yoga</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Your yoga could be natural--something very easily discovered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">While others, take much time to cultivate theirs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Regardless of your yoga--your union with the divine--practice it daily</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Because your yoga allows the beauty of this life--the Universe--To Shine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">And when the beauty shines,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">The feeling is Peace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">The feeling is Love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">The feeling is Compassion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">The feeling is Yoga</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Shine Your Light,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 10.815972328186035px;">Yeha Noha</span></div>
<br />Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-42322790024632962792013-11-13T11:57:00.002-08:002013-11-13T12:00:17.405-08:00It's Bigger Than You<i>"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars"</i><br />
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<i>~Khalil Gibran</i><br />
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<h3>
Strength comes from struggle--not success</h3>
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Your altitude is determined by your attitude during times of struggle</div>
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The music playing in your story is ringing</div>
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The war drums are banging</div>
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It's time to wake up</div>
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It's time to fight</div>
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To push past the struggle--and see what's on the other side</div>
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Dive into the struggle. Swim around the murky waters. Many dare not go too deep for fear of drowning. And so they retreat. </div>
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Others struggle--back and forth--back and forth--back and forth</div>
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UNTIL</div>
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They decide these murky waters are worth swimming around in. That it's worth the fight. </div>
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So they struggle.</div>
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For Days.</div>
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For Weeks.</div>
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For Months.</div>
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For Years.</div>
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AND finally, they reach the path. A lesson learned. Strength found. They realize their imperfections and release them into the world. Because with battle--they become strong(er)--tough(er)--and more resilient.</div>
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And with each battle--they learn compassion for themselves, balance of emotions and learn to experience life fully.</div>
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<i>"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go"</i></div>
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<i>~Hermann Hesse</i></div>
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You don't need rollercoasters, skydiving, or mountain climbing (even though they are awesome) to fully experience life. </div>
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Simply</div>
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Yell</div>
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Cry</div>
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Laugh</div>
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Smile</div>
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Be Angy</div>
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And breathe when you want.</div>
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This practice allows for the full experience. </div>
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The Past 10 Days</h3>
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I shut off. Emotionless. The days were drudgery. My vitality--my energy--seemingly gone. Hijacked. My zest for life, the same. </div>
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But I trained each day. More stress meant tougher workouts. What was easy days before seemed infinitely more difficult. </div>
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All I wanted was to sleep until the feeling went away. But life kept throwing rocks at me. Daring me to fight back. Resistance knew I was weak and it's stronghold it had on me was nearly suffocating. The Yin and Yang of my life was taking me for a ride. My habits went fro healthy to unhealthy. My thoughts, the same. Action as limited. Stress mounted.</div>
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But today, my body showed me--my heart yelled--IT'S BIGGER THAN YOU. </div>
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The pain</div>
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The struggle</div>
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It's not just about you. </div>
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It's about everyone in your life. </div>
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And if you quit</div>
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If you sputter for too long</div>
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The people around you will suffer</div>
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And you may not get another chance with them</div>
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So pick yourself up</div>
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Scream</div>
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Yell</div>
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Do whatever it takes</div>
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Because this fight is Bigger Than You</div>
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Shine Your Light,</div>
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Yeha Noha</div>
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Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-44669042171970024012013-10-30T11:12:00.002-07:002013-10-30T11:12:32.910-07:00Resistance & The Only Way To Attack It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5qCG_ejGTM/UnFL6EKXdDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/7shAAAyRfes/s1600/BruceLeework.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5qCG_ejGTM/UnFL6EKXdDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/7shAAAyRfes/s320/BruceLeework.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>~Jerry West</i></span><br />
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<h3>
Resistance</h3>
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Steven Pressfield's, The War of Art beautifully illustrates the picture resistance has in our lives on a daily basis. Resistance is that thing inside pulling you toward things OTHER than what you need/want to do. </div>
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If you started a new workout routine, began writing a book or have begun to play the guitar---Resistance is present. </div>
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<h3>
New Beginnings</h3>
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Beginning a new venture---whatever it is---spawns Resistance out of its short slumber in hopes to derail us. It puls out all the stops.</div>
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TV</div>
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Youtube</div>
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ESPN</div>
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Articles</div>
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You name it, Resistance is the reason. It's what causes us to procrastinate until the last possible moment. </div>
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It's what causes unneeded stress due to putting things off. </div>
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But we can do something. We can fight back against this never-ending foe.</div>
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Action & Doing The Work</h3>
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Another one of Steven Pressfield's books, Do The Work pains us the picture necessary to truly understand the root of our problems with following through and taking what is rightfully ours. </div>
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Take Action + Do The Work = Suppressing Resistance</h2>
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That's the formula. Notice it says, "Suppress"</div>
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Because Resistance never dies---it's never defeated---it just loses it's hold on you</div>
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It loses it's power every time we Take Action and Do The Work. </div>
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A Short Story From Today</h3>
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My Wednesday's of late have been less and less busy. Usually I get a lot done on these days with homework, programming for athletes, and getting organized.</div>
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As Noon rolled around, it was time for me to workout. Right on time, Resistance reared its ugly head. I knew it was there---and sure, it affected me for 5-10 minutes. </div>
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I changed the music.</div>
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My thoughts wandered.</div>
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I read a few articles.</div>
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The only thing standing between me and Resistance was a 55 pound dumbbell and 400 swings. I had done this before---7 times in the past week, so it wasn't an impossible task. But, the intense motivation was not there today. </div>
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Who cares? All I needed to do was beginning swinging the dumbbell and Resistance would slowly dissipate. And that's what happened. I kicked Resistance's ass by swinging the dumbbell that lay in front of me. Even when I finished, and began my daily maintenance push-ups---Resistance crept in AGAIN. I beat it once and I can beat it again. I got to 20, Was I tired? A little. But 10 more push-ups would be cake compared to what I just did. And even as I got to 20 everything in me said stop. </div>
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And that was my cue to keep going. </div>
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Anytime my mind says stop the rebel in me says:</div>
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DON'T TREAD ON ME</h3>
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And Resistance was defeated, albeit for a short time. It will be back.</div>
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But the hour when it was flexing its muscles didn't affect me so now I have the power. </div>
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<i>Do The Thing And You Will Have The Power</i></div>
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<i>~Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></div>
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Yeha Noha,</div>
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Shine Your Light</div>
Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-1761214605346394612013-10-29T14:41:00.000-07:002013-10-29T14:41:09.811-07:00Who Are You?Action is what takes an idea, a dream and a vision to life. It all starts with the feeling in your gut. That feeling tells you to ask the girl out, speak up or go ahead with an idea you have been stewing over for far too long. But, it is all for naught unless action is taken.<br />
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War of Art</h3>
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Steven Pressfield describes the War of Art happening between Resistance and ourselves. It is an ongoing battle. Always there. Always trying to derail you. </div>
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The formula is simple. Simply sit down, put your big boy (or girl) boots on and do the work. No magic formulas. No secret success program. </div>
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Take Action, Do the Work, and Be Consistent. <br />
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Who Are You?</h3>
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The question is tremendously important. What you have done is different than who you truly are. But, if you repeatedly mess up, fall into the same ruts and quit when things get difficult---Examine who you truly are. </div>
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Feeling dissatisfied with the way you are living? Make 1-2 simple changes and stick to them for 30 days. You would be amazed at the growth you will undergo. Check out this short (~3-4 min.) Ted Talk on Trying Something New for 30 Days. It works similarly to simply committing to something for 30 days. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://embed.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe><br />
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The 5%</h3>
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These individuals understand the hard-work and discipline needed to reach their goals---to be successful. They are success minded. But they also disconnect from everything, allowing their mind and body to relax and grow.</div>
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The 95%</h3>
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The 95% blame themselves, people around them, the economy, society, culture, government for their lack of success. </div>
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Success & Failure Defined</h3>
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In Og Mandino's masterpiece (if you can' tell, I highly recommend this book), The Greatest Salesman in The World he illustrates a great point on the definitions of success and failure. </div>
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Success is defined differently by everyone. But failure is defined all the same, failing to reach one's goals. I take it one step further and say the only time you fail is when you quit. "Failures" will happen but as long as you learn from it, success will come. </div>
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Simplicity</h3>
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Use the KISS method. Keep it simple stupid. Too often we get lost in our thoughts, letting our heads run our lives. Logic overrides our powerful intuition we all hold and it depresses our energy. Use your intuition muscle more through action and it will be stronger. </div>
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Center yourself with more breathing exercises, mediation, chanting, exercise and relaxing music or sounds to bring yourself back to, well, YOU. As Elliott Hulse says, "Breathe into your balls."</div>
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Act as if you are the hero waking up today. Be the hero in your own life and do what it is you are called to do. </div>
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I'll leave you with this excerpt from Og Mandino's The Greatest Salesman in The World,</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“I will act now. I will act now. I will act now. Henceforth, I will repeat these words each hour, each day, everyday, until the words become as much a habit as my breathing, and the action which follows becomes as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids. With these words I can condition my mind to perform every action necessary for my success. I will act now. I will repeat these words again and again and again. I will walk where failures fear to walk. I will work when failures seek rest. I will act now for now is all I have. Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy. I am not lazy. Tomorrow is the day when the failure will succeed. I am not a failure. I will act now. Success will not wait. If I delay, success will become wed to another and lost to me forever. This is the time. This is the place. I am the person.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19753.Og_Mandino" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Og Mandino</a><br />
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Yeha Noha,<br />
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Shine Your Light</div>
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Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6126486272055712399.post-89385186642228639702013-10-28T12:05:00.000-07:002013-10-28T12:09:39.971-07:00Freedom From The Mind<br />
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Finishing my training today, something came to me. I say this because when we are in the moment, lost in what we are doing, we are connected to the Infinite. Or so I believe. <br />
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The something gave me this to think on:<br />
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It's not so much about feeding yourself positivity or false hope. A lot of the time, it's about not feeding yourself negativity. You see if we allow ourselves to be The Strongest Version of Ourselves, we will unconsciously be more vibrant and positive. Sure, negative thoughts creep in from time to time. It's normal. But we are better able to combat them with our raised vibration. Anytime you find yourself being hyper-critical of yourself---pause---notice---and simply breath deep. <br />
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5-6 seconds in<br />
Hold It<br />
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Simply Breathe.<br />
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It allows for presence in the moment to overtake us rather than being critical. Now, this is a a daily habit. Discipline to stick to Becoming the Strongest Version of Ourselves doesn't simply happen overnight. One must practice every single day. I have found by starting my day off with energy, I am better set up for success in Being the Strongest Version of Myself. The following are 3 things that have helped me start my day off with a bang.<br />
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1. Chanting</h3>
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Before I rise in the morning, I begin chanting. It causes me to vibrate, breathe and open myself up---awakening. There is no wrong way to chant. Do what feels natural. I prefer chanting OM (AUM)<br />
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2. Hygiene & Water</h3>
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After chanting, I immediately brush my tongue, teeth and splash water in my face. It's simple but after cleaning my mouth I feel tremendous. Then, 1-2 water bottles of full of water and I am excited for the day. Not to mention, drinking around 20-30 oz. upon waking increases your metabolism by a whopping ~27%. That's worth doing.<br />
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3. Lumosity</h3>
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Lumosity.com trains your brain on the science of neuro-plasticity. Doing this for ~10 minutes per day trains your brain and keeps you sharp. Plus it's personalized to what you want to work on. It's free too.<br />
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Practice</h3>
Now, this is a short list. I do much more because either I need to or because it makes me feel great. But these 3 things will undoubtedly add energy to your mornings and days. And it takes maybe 15-25 minutes. <br />
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Dedicating time for yourself is easily forgotten if not done immediately in the morning because of our busy lives. <br />
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Becoming a Hero and The Strongest Version of Yourself starts with the simple things. Forget about some magic formula for success.<br />
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Show up each day and give your best effort. Consistency breeds success.<br />
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Yeha Noha,<br />
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Shine Your Light<br />
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<br />Alex Guillienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13137698247154712164noreply@blogger.com0