The Quest: Going to the Gym 100 Days in a Row- Day 47

by Travis Wright

On December 7th, 2007, a brand-new 24 Hour Fitness opened up in my neighborhood, and I decided that I would join the gym. Well, I have gone every day in a row, except Christmas Day, which it was closed. However, I didn’t know it was closed, so I “went” to the gym anyway. But nonetheless, I have been 47 days in a row, which to me is a major accomplishment.

As a result of being in the technology industry, I find myself sitting behind a computer much of the time. Factor in some Mountain Dew, and Mr. Travis Wright had gained some serious weight. Well, this is all changing. I figure that going to the gym 100 days in a row will be a nice jump start in becoming a person who ALWAYS works out. Instead of being a sedentary person with little physical activity, I choose to be one who works out and stays fit.

Now, also I have changed my diet habits a bit, which is obviously important if you are trying to drop a few pounds. I am eating smaller portions and trying to eat more frequently. Eating breakfast was always a challenge for me, but I am doing a good job of, at least, drinking a Slim Fast shake of some kind.

Since I have been to the gym for 47 days in a row, thus far, I have lost 16.5 pounds. This is very encouraging.

Also, when I go to the gym, I don’t do the same workout everyday. Every other day, I will do chest and back. The other, every other day, heh, I do biceps and triceps. At least five days a week, I will do 30 minutes of cardio on the ellipitical machine. And almost EVERY time I go to the gym, I go into the steam room for some toxin relief. Boy, you sure sweat your ass off in the steam room, and I love it.

The unique benefits of a steam room have become increasingly popular in modern society. The physiology of perspiration includes how sweating helps rid the body of wastes, regulates body temperature, and invigorates our largest organ, the skin. The metabolic effects of a steam room, the positive influence of negative ions released by steam, and the more subtle spiritual and social benefits of the steam experience all contribute to a heightened sense of well-being. Medical studies show that frequent visits to the steam room helps reduce stress and keep your circulatory system running smooth. I recommend it.

It is really hard for me to imagine myself NOT going to the gym, now. I think after 47 days in a row, that I have already trained my body to yearn for the gym. It is my intention to never become a sedentary couch-computer dweller ever again. I must move. I must work out. And it feels phenomenal. I highly recommend getting yourself on the path of positive change, and getting yourself in peak physical fitness. The rewards are endless. Unfortunately, not all the people who join you in the steam room will look like those in the above picture.

10 Ways to Develop a Prosperity Consciousness

Prosperity consciousness is based on the idea that our thoughts create the reality we see and experience on a daily basis. By using a specific set of tools, we can root out the negative thinking which is causing us to experience lack and transform our lives on all levels and attract a bounty of abundance.

Steps toward a Prosperity Consciousness

1. Set aside at least twenty minutes a day to study and visualize your new life.

2. Buy a loose leaf binder and label it “Dreams Unlimited.” This is where you will workshop the life you are creating for yourself and get clear on what you really want. This will be the place where you write your affirmations, make notes about the process, collect uplifting quotes, make collages of the things you are manifesting, and keep track of the things you accomplish.

3. Develop an affirmation for yourself based on what you are attempting to attract into your life. It should be present tense and contain only positive statements. An example would be “I am rich beyond my wildest dreams.”

4. Write out your affirmation at least ten times a day and put it in your notebook. When you are tempted to dwell on the negative, repeat it silently over and over in your head while you take deep breaths.

5. Ignore the naysayers, dream killers, and negative people who tell you that it can’t be done. If someone else has ever done it before, then you can too.

6. Spend a few quiet minutes every day breathing deeply and visualizing your goal as already completed. Picture exactly how you want it to be, but be willing to accept something better. Don’t limit yourself.

7. Read books on creative visualization, prosperity consciousness, and positive thinking.

8. Live “as if.” If a circumstance in your life is not how you want it, withdraw your attention from it. Whatever you focus on expands. Live as if all of your dreams are a reality now.

9. “Follow your bliss.” Experience the joy life offers at every turn if you know how to look for it. Share your love where ever you can. Wear comfortable clothes in colors that you love. Drink a wonderful cup of tea and watch a sunset. Do only that which brings you joy.

10. Let it go. Trust that the Universe has heard your request and is doing everything It can to bring it about. Forget about it. Don’t worry or fret. Live in the moment and watch how all of your needs are met. When you lose faith, call on your childlike resources and pretend.
Read more

What are the Qualties of a Visionary?

By Ross Bonander

In 1899, the commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office wrote a letter to President McKinley urging him to abolish his office, noting that “everything that can be invented has been invented.” Lacking an imagination, this man’s vision was to shut down the state-sponsored hunt for innovation and new ideas. Contrary to this, a true visionary sees in ways others can’t or don’t, for whatever reason. Furthermore, visionaries across all disciplines share certain qualities, and while nothing they’ve done can be mimicked without corrupting their ideals, they stand today to inspire the rest of us to follow — not fear or reject — the direction of our own calling.

_________________visionary qualities

Conviction

Any man can disagree, but true dissent requires a rare conviction, especially when one’s thoughts or opinions face a roar of opposing voices.

In post-World War II Japan, Soichiro Honda defied a corporate culture that claimed “Japanese companies succeed as one.” He believed that Japanese corporations could benefit from the so-called American business phenomenon, which included a focus on individual achievement. He founded Honda Motor Company and put this into practice, even though he had to face disrespect and scorn from business circles and bureaucrats who tried to block Honda’s growth.

Dov Charney, founder of American Apparel, refused to believe that U.S.-based apparel manufacturers could only make money if they had their garments made in Third World countries. But he also knew that if he were to succeed, he’d have to change the way factory workers were treated. He accomplished this through highly competitive wages, paid vacations, health insurance extended to families, free English classes, direct paycheck deposits to save on check-cashing fees, and five certified massage therapists working exclusively with factory workers. The result? 2005 sales in excess of $250 million.
Read more

Do You Have What it Takes to be a Great Leader?

A top executive coach says that leaders are made as well as born, and that leadership can be learned. The first step: Have a clear (don’t yawn!) vision.
By Anne Fisher

We often hear someone described as a “born leader,” but what if you didn’t happen to arrive on the planet with the skills it takes to rise to greatness? “Some leaders are born, others are made,” says Karlin Sloan, who has coached executives at Allstate, Eli Lilly, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Pepsico, and many other companies.

Sloan’s new book, Smarter, Faster, Better: Strategies for Effective, Enduring, and Fulfilled Leadership (Jossey-Bass, $24.95) is a thought-provoking handbook for anyone who wants to kick a management career up a notch to the leadership level. Some excerpts from our recent conversation:

Quiz: Are you a good leader?

Q. What’s the difference between managing and leading?

A. Management is certainly part of leadership. But leadership requires that you create a strategy, a vision, and then exemplify it.

Q. So many companies have “vision statements” with little bearing on day-to-day reality. Haven’t people gotten cynical about the whole vision thing?

A. Definitely! But when I say “vision,” I mean the ability to talk about the future as if it were already here. Steve Jobs often does this. He creates a clear picture in people’s minds of how a new product will change the world — before it’s even launched. He gets people excited about the future he sees in his mind. That’s an innate talent. Stepping out on a limb like that comes much more naturally to some people than to others. But if you haven’t got that skill, you can develop it. It’s not so much about your own technical expertise as it is about inspiring other people to be better at what they do.

Q. Let’s say I want to be CEO of Time Warner 15 or 20 years from now. What’s the most important thing I have to start doing today?

A. There are really three things. First, get to work on Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »