My journey to Winning the USA

[Michael Thomas]

Today I want to share the content of a poster a close friend gave me several years ago. This poster hangs in my office and I read it weekly. I always seem to find inspiration when I take the time to absorb every word and phrase.

The Foundation of Excellence

“Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast…and one day you will build something that endures; something worthy of your potential.”

Epictetus

Roman Teacher, Philosopher

Wow, that says it all. Are you achieving something worthy of your potential? Let me share an experience in my life. In 2005, I had been preparing for 2 years to compete in an event in California. This event was a proqualifier. I was working hard to achieve my life dream of becoming a pro athlete. I dieted for 10 months and shed about 50 pounds of body fat. We traveled all the way to California only to get my butt kicked. I placed last in my class and wasn’t even close to achieving pro status. On the plane ride home I realized I wasn’t working hard enough to reach my potential. Sure I had dieted hard and trained hard up to that point, however I still fell way short. I realized I must change my plan if I was ever to achieve my goal of becoming a pro. My program needed to be radically changed. I turned my major disappointment into action. My intensity in the weight room was now focused and intense. My next competition was planned for October of that same year. I was to compete in Chicago at the USA and Great Lakes Championships. Both shows were held the same day at the same venue. I worked my butt off for 14 weeks. Those 14 weeks were the hardest 14 weeks of training I have ever gone through. I arrived in Chicago at least 15 pounds leaner, much more muscular. I went on to win my class and overall at both events. My dream was now a reality. Becoming a Pro.

What I want you to understand is you never know how close you are to achieving your dreams. If you would have asked me in July after that huge loss that I would have went on to become Mr. USA I would have probably not believed you. There was a time for a few days after that loss I wanted to retire from competition. But I knew I wasn’t achieving something worthy of my potential.  I also want you to understand that if you have BIG DREAMS the amount of effort needed will be BIG. I promise you,anything in life worth having will require Amazingly Hard Work for an EXTENDED PERIOD. I dieted and trained hard for 1 year to win. I remember getting up at 4 am to get in extra cardio to lose bodyfat.  Stop looking for the easy road. Usually the easy road won’t get it done. If your goals are big there will be a lot of discomfort and hard work.  The sacrifice and hard work will be well worth it when you achieve your goal.

Set your goals, set your standards of performance high and take action NOW.

Have a Great Day,

Michael

This is from an old blog post.  Feel free to post comments or create your own topic within this forum.  I am in the process of creating some more HUGE goals for this year for my business and other areas. These goals are going to require me to step out of my comfort zone.   Lets all get after it and attack our goals to achieve greatness.  I believe there are NO LIMITS.  You have everything you need to achieve greatness, but it will require EFFORT.