The really cool thing about Facebook is that you can tap into help from others. A few hours ago I posted on my page that I was writing a newsletter, but was waiting for an idea to come to me. Sure enough one of our members and friend of mine Chuck Wilson wrote back, “write about what has inspired you to achieve the things you have in your life”.

Now that right there is what inspires me today. Being able to have the opportunity to help and inspire people.

I have to say that it was not always like that though.

When I was playing baseball in college and when my father and I opened All 4 Sports and Fitness back in 2001 it was all about me. I think I was so focused on myself and what other people thought of me that it did propel me in a way to do some pretty cool things.

I wanted to be on the baseball team… Then be a starter… Then All- American… Then play at the next level.

After my baseball career I wanted to be a business person… Then a trainer and coach… Then a successful speaker…

I had an image of who I wanted to be and over time was able to get there. The only problem with that was that once I achieved a goal, the joy of it all quickly dissipated. I remember consistently feeling like “is this all there is”. It was almost like something was missing.

After lots of personal growth work (which was driven by me again wanting to be a certain type of person) I began to realize that my focus on what other people thought of me was exactly what held me back from enjoying my personal achievements. Until I was able to do what I really wanted to do without the influence of what others thought of me, I was unable to experience the joy of achievement.

Now I realize it is about contribution and I get to do that every day! That is why I bombard you with emails each week, post videos on my blog, and promote programs like the Fitness Boot Camp and the “RYL” Experience. Now I am driven by helping people and I am so lucky to be in a position to do so…

So I guess my message today is do what you really want to do. Don’t let the approval of others inspire you because you will get no real joy from that.

Find and take advantage of every opportunity to be better at being who YOU are.