When people fight over one objective, against each other.

Someone has to lose.

When people fight for one objective, with each other.

Everyone can win

It feels like there are a lot of choices when picking a side in the exercise and health business.

Gym vs 
outdoor vs 
small studio vs
in your garden vs
garage vs 
spare room vs 
swissballs vs
kettle bells vs
roller skates vs
cables vs
free weights vs
no weights vs
paleo vs
high fat vs
no crap vs
crossfit vs
aerobics vs
HIIT vs
strong vs
skinny vs
muscly vs
stretching vs
bending vs
isolation vs
multi sets vs
one on one vs
team training vs
small group training vs
group fitness vs
cardio vs
weights machines vs
rowing machines vs
protein vs
vegetarian vs
a little bit vs
a lot.

But actually it's pretty simple. 

There are only two sides.

You either believe in the value of Health and Exercise.

Or You Don't.

Pick one.

(Or alternately let's argue with each other about which specific type of health and exercise is best for another 30 years, and leave the non exercisers on the couch till we decide.)

There are a couple of things you should do if you want to be the best in the world

You will need to get some enjoyment from your chosen best in the world subject, it's going to take you some time to get there so some enjoyment along the way will make the time go faster.

You will need to prepare to be really bad at your chosen best in the world subject  if you are wanting to be best in the world I can assume it's not going to be an easy task, otherwise there would be no value in being the best in the world.

And on the ever so slim chance that you make it and you are the best in the world at your chosen best in the world subject, be ready to not want to be the best in the world at it any more.

Now find something new to be best in the world at.

And Repeat.

Don't be afraid of change, be afraid of staying the same when the world changes around you.

Don't be afraid that it all might fall apart and you'll be jobless, moneyless or loveless, be afraid that you will never know that there is more work, love and money out there than you will ever need

Don't be afraid that you are not good enough, be afraid that you will never allow yourself the opportunity to be the best you can be.

Don't be afraid of making mistakes, be afraid that you will never challenge yourself or try anything new.

Don't be afraid of being alone, be afraid that you will be surrounded by lots of people who don't know how the real you is so unbelievably awesome.

Don't be afraid of getting to old age and being frail and having not filled up your life the way you thought you should, be afraid of not getting to old age at all.

It's normal to be afraid, it's ok to be afraid, just be afraid of the things that you should be and let the fabulousness that is you be the awesome superhero shield that protects you from the things you shouldn't be afraid of.

(And if you haven't found your superhero shield, I bet there are a couple of people you know who have spares, just sidle up next to them, or text or email and say "I'm scared")

What people need.
Or do you assume?

As experts in our field we get really good at looking at or talking to people and thinking we know (or having a good idea) what they need and have some really good solutions and services around what they could do to meet that need.

But we can't assume what they need without asking.

A person who is feeding their kids unhealthy food may not need to be educated that what they are doing is unhealthy, perhaps they need someone to drive them to babysit those kids while they go to the vegetable market.

The person walking down the street looking stressed and out of breath may not need to be told they should exercise, perhaps they need a boss who let's them have an extra 30 minutes in their lunch break and a techie to show them how to access internet banking instead of racing to the bank  at lunchtime instead of the gym.

I'm not saying that people who are making unwise lifestyle choices should be able to get support and help (if they want it) without people assuming what they need without asking.  

Oh, actually that's exactly what I am saying.

Don't Assume. Ask.

I'm not ready to admit that I may be Wrong.
But I do know from experience that in the past I knew I was Right.
And science or experience or something changed my mind.
And I believed a new Right.

So, while I am not ready to admit I may be wrong
I'm ready to admit that in the future
Right may be something different to the Right I believe now.

In the world of business with
packaged deals, 
one stop shops, 
easy as results, 
services that are better than anything else, 
you heard it here first,
it's the best ever and
never been as good as this.


It's easy to forget that where our people truly connect with us.
People connect (and for business then purchase) because they want to be better
they want to feel loved
they want to be valued.


So next time you are looking at your plan for success including the items from the first list above.
Remember your people and their plan for success, which will need to include the items from the second list.

If everything worthwhile in life can be achieved with a bit of hard work and the right attitude then why is that we spend so much time and money investing in the right schools, the best toys, good food and quality experiences for our children?

Why do we invest in the best training and education and buy the best tools to do our job?

Why do we choose to live in the best suburb we can afford?

Hard work? Right Attitude?

Isn't that going to get us where we need to go?

Actually while hard work and a good attitude is going to get us a long way in life they are not the only things you need to succeed.

So the next time you see someone not achieve the heights you think they should be capable of don't automatically presume they didn't work hard enough or have the right attitude.