Add new tag — What's Stopping You?

Next week I finish P90X. There is something about exercise that gets me motivated for everything in life. When I'm not exercising I have trouble getting things done. I can organize projects and lead a team, but I don't have the same desire I have when I'm fulfilling the physical side of life. For me exercise goes hand in hand with achieving the extraordinary. P90X is tough. Not only that, but I've managed to fit the long workouts with 3 hours or commuting, a full work day and time with my family (and now this blog!). I've heard it takes 21 days to form a habit. I suppose I've simply gotten used to getting up at 4:50 and working out each morning. Goal setting works for me. I enjoy doing things few people are willing to do. In 2009 I committed to running a marathon in under four hours. In November I ran the Philly Marathon in 3:57:26. I'd never run a marathon before. The same attitude applies to almost anything in life. Running a marathon in under four hours was hard. P90X was hard. Delivering a project on time and on budget is hard. Doing anything that is worthwhile is hard.

I may not be able to run a marathon as fast as Bill Rodgers or do as many pull-ups as Colin Bell, but I can set a goal and achieve greater things than most people are even willing to try. Why won't they try? Why can't they commit? It goes back to my first post. There is something within us that is scared of success and what comes with it. Embrace change. Achieve the extraordinary. Don't hold back!

I've been talking about this blog for months. I find excuse after excuse. Anything to avoid the first post. I can't decide on a title. My thoughts aren't properly formed. I don't have the time. I work at a public company. I can't talk about my experiences. The thing is all these excuses are fear. Seth Godin talks about the lizard brain in Linchpin. The lizard brain controls the fight or flight instinct. It prefers flight. Fear takes over. It's persistent. It's all consuming. It stops us from doing great things. It stops our passion. What if nobody reads my blog? What if they think it's stupid? What if they don't like what I have to say? What if I fail?

Pay attention to the resistance. Don't be afraid. Overcome it. One success leads to another. Confidence builds upon itself. I can do this. People will read my blog and like it. This blog is about me. These are my experiences; my passions. I don't do a job. I don't go to work. I make connections. I create. I problem solve and build teams. I accomplish incredible things.