By: Nick Thomas
Be careful who and what you allow in your life if you want success.
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no matter how hard you try, your success will be directly affected by your surroundings. What you read or watch, who you are around, what you eat, what activities you participate in, and so much more affect you.
Everything ultimately filters into your life and affects your success. The intelligent choice is to keep your focus and discipline throughout all areas of your life. Compartmentalizing will NOT lead to success.
Human nature craves hard work, although it may not feel like it. There is nothing which can replace the blood, sweat, and tears of hard work — physically and mentally — which ultimately leads to the achievement of goals. Isn’t this why those of us in the fitness world so enjoy the medal at the end of a race, or those who perform enjoy the applause at the end of the show, or why the academic rejoices receiving their diploma, or the hardworking CEO loves their year-end bonus and promotion? It’s the sense that we did it. There was hard work and a culmination, including an appropriate celebration and reward. If something is just given to us…well, that seems to prove a bit anticlimactic because there’s no sense of pride, and what is easily attained seems to be easily forgotten or taken for granted. Remember that first paycheck you got in your first real-world job? It may not have been much, but it sure felt good. I bet you called someone, probably your mom or dad, and told them how proud you were! A fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work, even the Bible speaks to this. God addresses this topic a few different ways in Deuteronomy, Proverbs, and Psalms. And to be clear a “wage” may not always be money.
Achievement stems from internal drive – no one can do it for you and it give you the same feeling. What’s easily or falsely attained will lack satisfaction. The absence of hard work will always leave a feeling of discontentment no matter what possessions or accolades you have in your name. It HAS to be real!
Internal drive is something which takes immense focus. It takes a constant mindset and attitude in private and in public, you know…that special and rare thing called integrity. It takes a lifestyle which in all areas supports the overall goal you have set. Clear goals demand a circle of people who not only understand what you are after but support you in every way as you work to achieve those goals. This typically means a small but fierce few will form around you. Success ultimately demands leadership. This means that you have taken control of your life and an incredible and common side effect of this disciplined control is leadership. You tend to attract those on a similar path or those who desire a similar dynamic result when your life is clearly and wholly focused on a goal. Respect and trust are built here and longevity is developed because what you do in private and public is the same! When this is proven, it will resonate with a small group of loyal, like-minded people…these are your people. You will feed off of each other and achieve your life goals. Keep it tight. This is my version of the Success Circle. What goes in will come out, and what is desired will become reality!
By: Nick Thomas
Owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist
