I live close to the Del Mar Racetrack, one of the biggest horseracing facilities in the country, where “the turf meets the surf.”

A week before the start of the race season, a good friend of mine took me down to the track to visit the owner of a prized racehorse.

The owner told me how he had made a science of the exact nutritional value in every bite that horse ate—what was perfect for its digestion, energy, and dental care. He explained how he had only the best licensed veterinarian check the horse thoroughly each week, how he exercised the horse twice daily, how he made sure the horse had the appropriate social interaction with other horses to keep his spirit up.

He emphasized how the horse’s comfort, needs, and health were in need of constant attention to ensure it was happy and able to perform at its best.

I was impressed with this man’s nutritional acumen, attentiveness, and discipline … until the trainer walked in with his lunch. read more »

Were you ever chosen last for a sports team?

Were you ever made fun of in gym class?

If you were, you probably came to believe you didn’t have the potential to be much of an athlete.

Well, your potential is probably FAR greater than you think.

This story I read about Ben might help change your mind…

Ben describes his youthful self as a pudgy, shy kid who was ALWAYS the last one in his class selected for any sports team. “Football, hockey, tennis, cricket — anything with a round ball… I was useless.”

Throughout his youth, Ben was the object of jokes and ridicule at his school in England’s rural Devon County. Then, at age 15, a mountain bike changed him and his future.

At first, Ben rode alone in a nearby forest. Then he began to ride beside a friend who was a runner. Gradually, Ben started to realize the potential he had inside himself, potential that he hadn’t previously allowed out. So he set his mind on building up his body—increasing his speed, strength, and endurance.

At age 18, Ben ran his first marathon.

The following year, Ben met John Ridgway, read more »

My dad would have been 66 years old yesterday. I lost him to bone cancer seven months ago.

In his eulogy I passed forward the half-dozen philosophies he taught me that shaped me into the man I am today, in the hope they might benefit those in attendance. In honor and celebration of his birthday I’d like to pass one of those philosophies forward to you.

This one saved my life… and defined my life.

You might know that my parents divorced when I was only 18 months old. My mother never really wanted to be a mother (she got angry when she found out she was pregnant with me), so when they split up, she cheerfully handed me over to my dad.

My dad didn’t know what to do with me either. He was only 23 years old when I was born. He had just moved from his hometown, in the San Francisco Bay Area, to what seemed like the middle of nowhere in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There we were, out there all alone.

When this all came down, my dad’s mother (my grandmother) insisted that he ship me home to her. He said no. So she got on a plane and showed up on his front doorstep, further insisting. This was a dramatic act, because she was scared to death to fly, had never been on a plane before and probably never flew again thereafter.

He once again said no, which was hard for him because his mother ruled his world. He always did what she insisted. Not this time. He told her read more »

If you’ve read The Compound Effect, you know I’m a big fan of the Tortoise and the Hare fable.
Why?
Because the story is a great example of how a success principle, when applied consistently, can lead to real success.

I recently heard a fun adaptation of the story that I think you will enjoy as much as I did.

It goes like this…

The Tortoise and Hare, both known for their culinary expertise, were invited to battle it out in Iron Chef Stadium.

The race began…

Early in the competition, it was clear the Hare was significantly ahead of the Tortoise. (Are we not surprised?) The audience was amazed at the speed with which the Hare mixed ingredients and poured them into baking dishes, tossing the mixing bowls aside to move on to the next step.

The Tortoise was making progress but was, seemingly, well behind. It wasn’t that he was going slower than the Hare, but rather that he took the time to carefully clean each bowl, pan, and utensil and return them to their proper place after use. The audience agonized over his routine.

It wasn’t looking good for the Tortoise…

Then, about halfway through the competition, things began to change. read more »

A young comic asked Jerry Seinfeld if he had any tips for him starting out as a comic.

What he told that young comic would benefit him for a lifetime.

I’ll pass it onto you now, as I know it will benefit you too–for a lifetime.

Seinfeld told the comic that the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes.
And the way to create better jokes was to write every day.

But his advice went further.
He explained a technique that Jerry uses to keep himself motivated, even when he doesn’t feel like it.

He explained the calendar system he uses to pressure himself to write.

Here’s how it works.
He said, get a big wall calendar that has a whole year on one page and hang it on a prominent wall. Maybe somewhere your family can see or your office mates. The next step is to get a big red magic marker.

He said for each day you complete the task of writing, put a big red X over that day. Seinfeld said, “After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. Jerry went on, he said, “You’ll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain.”

“Don’t break the chain,” he said again for emphasis.

Seinfeld understands that read more »