It's Up To Me

I was recently looking through some files on the computer and came across the following piece of work that I had written myself several years ago when I was going through my 'Coaching' phase. I thought it was well worth including in this blog for anyone who might be interested in getting their life back on track.

Are you satisfied where you find yourself right now? Do you believe that you are capable of so much more? Are you happy living a life of mediocrity or are you searching for greater things? What can you do today, to get you where you really want to be tomorrow?

If these are some of the questions you are asking yourself right now then you're obviously dissatisfied with what you are achieving in your life at present. As human beings we are capable of so much more and there is no reason why you should not be able to fulfil all your dreams.

Many years ago I found myself in a very similar position, deep inside I knew that I was really capable of achieving so much more in my life. I was dissatisfied with the results I was getting. I had a burning desire to change, but at the time I was really unsure how to go about it.

All throughout my childhood I had been programmed for mediocrity. At school I can vividly recall my teachers telling me to ‘not step out of line’ or ‘ get any bright ideas’ and many times I was reprimanded for daydreaming out the window.

Today, it is often very difficult to swim against the tide of negative conditioning. Everyday we are faced with a constant wave of depressing news. The media is usually only concerned with the one person who gets knocked over by a car in the street and generally does not care about the nine hundred and ninety nine other successful crossings that goes by each day.

With this type of conditioning available to most of us it is therefore not uncommon to find many people stuck in a rut. Do not forget what the definition of a rut is…. It’s only a grave with the ends taken out.

So what can we do?

Well of course there many things that we can do over a period of time, but one thing than we can almost do immediately is to take responsibility for our own actions and not lay the blame for things elsewhere.

You see, I have this little saying which has helped me through some difficult times and I use it as an affirmation to get me off my butt.

'If its to be, than it's up to me.'

As far as the above piece of work is concerned - you may have noticed since I started writing this blog I have once again taken responsbility for my life and my actions.

I now firmly believe that I'm out of the rut and back on track and once again Fighting Fit.

Lead The Field

I've been thinking recently, what is it that separates the 'winners' from the losers, especially at this particular time when Olympic positions are being fought over?

For myself learning to become a 'winner' as such was something that I accidentally discovered around ten years ago. A philosophy I stumbled upon by pure accident, something that was to eventually shape and change my life forever.

Being involved in plenty of martial art competitions over the years, I often asked myself what could I do to separate my students and myself away from the rest of the group? I later discovered my answer to this question quite unexpectedly.

One day out-of-the-blue a strange looking package was delivered to my front door by the postman. I hadn't ordered anything in particular and still don't know to this day how this parcel had come my way.

Looking inside the package I discovered a set of six tapes in-cased within a folder, which were appropriately labelled 'Lead the Field'.

The author was a gentleman named Earl Nightingale. I later discovered that Earl had been described as 'the Dean of personal development' and part responsible for the Nightingale Conant corporation. www.Nightingale.com

Following on from this, I had a 30 day free trial period to listen to these tapes. If I didn't like what I heard I was able to return them with no obligation to pay.

During this time I studied the material and before the thirty days was over I was hooked and decided to purchase the product immediately.

Today, this tape-set is considered as one of the all-time classic motivational programmes and basically outlines a specific set of commonsense principles that anyone can follow.

I eventually started to apply this material over a period of time, which in turn slowly began to change my whole outlook and direction in life.

Looking back, I believe that it was the single most important thing that I did, nothing more would have a greater influence on me than those tapes had done.

Suddenly winning started to become second nature, for both myself and my team. At the same time many positive opportunities began opening up in my life as well.

For many years now people have often asked me about the secret to my success? ( I think that's a great question to ask someone). At first I wasn't sure myself - it just seemed 'too good to be true'.

Eventually I came to realise that it was not luck or coincidence. I started to understand that if I followed certain outlined principles contained within the tapes I would ultimately gain the results - It was as simple as that.

To complete this particular post, you might be asking yourself - what has all this got to do with fighting-fit-at-fifty.

Well, you see, without sounding too-much of a know-it-all, I discovered some very basic truths, which I believe are common place for any level of success.

Whether it's just shedding a few pounds and wanting to feel good about yourself by the age of fifty, or becoming an Olympic Champion - the common principles are basically the same.

As Earl says on the tapes, its all to do with attitude; develop a great attitude, expect great results, have an average attitude = average results, poor attitude, well of course poor results.

This probably all sounds a little too simple, but don't let the simplicity deceive you. Ask any top coach or instructor, If a student has a poor attitude, there's not much you can do to help them in the way of progress.

On the the other hand if an individual has an outstanding attitude - well who knows - watch them very closely - you never know, one day you might find them standing on the winners rostrum 'leading the field'.

Motivation & Goals

What motivates you? - What makes you get out of bed early in the morning, feeling totally inspired?

Well anyone who has ever been successful will tell you - it's usually about having a worthy goal or destination to aim toward.

Much has been written and talked about concerning motivation / goal setting and of course there have been many books and Cd's on the subject as well.

From a personal perspective I'm the most happiest when I've got something to aim for, when I've got something to get my teeth stuck into.

I know there is a certain philosophy that's suggest that people like myself are 'always striving - but never arriving', but you see - having a specific goal to aim for is what gets me out of bed early and keeps me up late at night, without ever feeling tired.

I have to be honest I'm inspired when writing this blog, as I can spend hours at the computer and not even notice the time fly-by. (By the way If you're still reading this particular post - thanks I appreciate it. )

You've probably realised if you're a regular visitor to my blog - my long term goal is to be fit and healthy by the time I reach fifty. (Hence the opening title.)

However in the meantime I want to share with you some of my goals I would like to achieve before I reach this particular milestone or maybe even afterwards.

I know some of my listed goals below might seem a seem a little ordinary and some a little strange, never-the-less - here they are.


1/ I desire to play somekind of musical instrument.

2/ I would like to write an interesting magazine article for a top notch magazine.

3/ I am capable of running 3 miles in under 30 minutes on my treadmill.

4/ I want to swim regularly as a valuable way of keeping fit.

5/ I would really like to learn how to play golf - properly. (I can hit the ball straight - however I have trouble getting it in the hole.)

6/ I'd love to be able to cook a variety of nutritious meals for my wife Ali and daughter Rachey(or anyone else who will dare eat them.)

7/ I am able to complete the art /drawing course I recently started.

8/ I desire to laugh a lot more (but not at myself - Although I've heard this can be very therapeutic.)

9/ To climb Ben Nevis or any large hill or mountain.

10/ To swim with Sharks (no - just kidding on this one - but it makes a change to dolphins)

11/ To visit Italy/Rome or any romantic place in Europe with my wife Ali.

12/ To learn how to ski or snowboard (unfortunately I hate the cold weather- but what the heck I'll do it anyway.)

13/ To watch a Premiership soccer match or visit the new Wembley stadium.
(My daughter went last Sunday to watch the Community Shield match and I was envious, being a life-long follower of Man Utd.)

14/ I wish to ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle

15/ To play as an extra in a movie! (maybe Jackie Chan's stunt double?)

16/To learn how to speak a different language, maybe French or Spanish?

17/ I aim to live in a lovely property next to the sea.

18/ I would like to have my own dog to take for walks.

19/ I really would like to see a UFO or visit a crop circle (again)

20/ To become more environmentally aware.

Let me ask - what excites you? What is you would like to do?