Thank You Nate Green

So, I was getting caught up on my industry blogs the other day and found this great post by Nate Green.  "The S2B Manifesto: 7 Rules For Living a Bigger Life" has had me thinking for days now.  Of the 7 rules, I've been going at 3 of them non-stop for 5 days now.  "Feed Your 'Ideal Self' and Starve Your Shadow", "Make Your Own Rules" and "Plan Your Perfect Day" are the 3 rules I'm currently working on. 

I am a huge believer in setting goals and the idea; if you can write it, you can achieve it.  What has me so excited about Nate's post, is it has me setting goals at a whole new level.  The idea to "Feed Your 'Ideal Self' and Starve Your Shadow" is perfect.

"Our ideal self is the kind of guy we want to be. He’s authentic and confident.

He’s humble yet strong. Competitive yet relaxed.

Our shadow self, on the other hand, is the guy we don’t like. He’s the guy we’re not proud of. The guy who says stupid shit, gives up when things get tough, and seems kinda like a loser. And he’s always there, lurking in our heads, ready to bust out and screw everything up or embarrass us.

Most guys run from their shadow or try to ignore him. But thinking about him constantly — or trying not

to think about him — only makes him stronger.  That’s because whatever you feed, grows.

We’ve learned the only way to silence our shadow is to accept him. Because when you become aware

of your shadow and all his baggage, you’re free to stop thinking about him.

You take away all his power." -Nate Green

First thing I did after reading Nate's post was come up with my 'Ideal Self' v Shadow Self list.  Once I had my first list done, I wrote it again but with 6 categories in mind: Professional, Financial, Spiritual, Family, Friends and Leisure Time.  It's been 5 days since I read Nate's post and I believe I've now written my list 7 times and will probably rewrite it many more times. 

Once I was 'finished' with Rule 1, I jumped to Rule 3.  I felt after creating my 'Ideal Self' it would be fitting to "Plan My Perfect Day" as my 'Ideal Self' and 'Ideal Day' seem to feed off one another.  Again, I've probably rewritten my 'Ideal Day' 7 times.  Each time I rewrote my 'Ideal Day' it became more precise and vivid.  My first draft was, 4:15am - Wake Up and my current draft is, 4:15am - Wake Up Refreshed and Ready for an Amazing Day.  My first draft was, 6:45pm - Eat Dinner and my current draft it, 6:45pm - Eat a Healthy, Tasty Dinner Over Great Conversation with my Wife.  By creating my 'Ideal Day' as vivid and precise as possible I am able to really see what I'm working towards.  My 'Ideal Day' is going to be amazing!

After having finished Rules 1 and 3, I went back to "Make My Own Rules".  As my 'Ideal Self' and 'Ideal Day' fed off one another, my 'Ideal Self' and 'My Own Rules' are doing the same.  Again, I'm using the 6 categories to "Make My Own Rules".  As I'm creating 'My Own Rules' I am doing as Nate said to do, "Once you have them, print them out and put your list in a place you’ll see it often."  Since 'My Own Rules' are still new to me, I am looking at them and saying them aloud daily to cement them as habit. 

Setting goals for yourself is something you should be doing on a weekly basis.  Goals push you, keep you focused and move you to "work towards something greater".  If you have never set a goal before, set one for today, accomplish it today and then celebrate it.  Make goals an important part of your life and see how your attitude changes.


Please, share this post with anyone you feel might benefit from reading it. Friend me on facebook [Trainer Jason] and follow me on twitter [@trainer_jason]. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this blog!

Too Tired To Exercise? You Need To Exercise.

If you find yourself too tired to exercise, you need to exercise.  Tell me, does this sound familiar to you:

"Ugh, I know I was going to start exercising today but I'm too tired.  I'll

rest (sit on the couch and do jack shit, AGAIN) tonight and start tomorrow when

I have more energy.  Yep, I'll rest tonight so I can start strong tomorrow." 

I know you've said it.  Shit, I've said it before.  The reason you don't have the energy to begin your exercise program is because you haven't started your exercise program.  I know, it sounds counterintuitive but as your body moves your energy levels will increase. 

When you are physically active, blood flow will increase and that increase will force heart to become more efficient.  Increased cardiovascular efficiency means more oxygen being transported by the increased blood flowing through your body.  Increased oxygen means more energy. 

Depending on your current activity level, it may only take 15 minutes of activity to see your energy level increase.  15 minutes, that is it!  You can't tell me you don't have 15 minutes somewhere in your day to be physically active.  I'll tell you what, I'll help you find 15 minutes...

When you woke up this morning, did you really need to...

...hit snooze five times?

...watch the news?

...check your social media feed to realise nothing happened overnight?

On your lunch break, did you really need to...

...check your social media feed to realise you aren't the only one that hates being at work?

...sit in the break room staring at the walls?

...drive ten minutes, wait in the drive thru for ten minutes and then drive ten minutes back? 

When you got off work, did you really need to...

...check your social media feed just to see pictures of everyone's car temp reading?

...go out for a drink to feel better about your day?

...watch Ellen or Oprah or Dr Oz?

Now that we've found you 15 minutes in your "busy" day, what should you do with it?  Do what ever you want!  Walk or jog.  Ride a bike.  Play basketball.  Play football.  Play tag with your kids.  Just do something you enjoy because you are more likely to quit if you don't like what you are doing.  I also suggest scheduling your activity or performing your activity at the same time every day as it's great way to stay on track.  Another great way to stay on track is to not get off track by taking more then one day off in a row.  When you decide to "work towards something greater", don't let anything get in your way.  Just about anything can wait 15 minutes.  Get out, get active and watch your energy levels increase.

Please, share this post with anyone you feel might benefit from reading it. Friend me on facebook [Trainer Jason] and follow me on twitter [@trainer_jason]. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this blog!