Warren Buffet is one of the most prominent investors in the world. Time after time he beats the market, something analysts say should be impossible. Over the years he has gone from selling gum and magazines door-to-door to having a net worth of over $45 billion. That’s “billion” with a “B.”
It didn’t take long for people to recognize Buffett’s success, and soon the “Wizard of Omaha” had quite a following. This popularity placed an incredible power in Buffett’s hands: the ability to create something I’d like to call the “Warren Buffett Effect.” Buffet is so well known for his successful investments that when others hear of Buffett investing in a company he believes is improving, everyone and their dog jumps on board. This overflow of stock purchases causes prices to shoot up, creating huge profits for Buffett as well as anyone else who invested early on.
Hang with me.
What just happened here? The net worth of corporation X just shot up. Why? Did anything within the company change? No. The only thing that happened was that one man (albeit a a very powerful man) believed in something. He believed the company could do more and was on its way to the top. Whether or not the company itself knew this and believed it is irrelevant; someone else believed in them. This belief sparked something quite amazing, and great things happened.
You are Warren Buffett. I am Warren Buffet. We all have this ability to believe in ourselves and in others, and this power is infinitely bigger than we give it credit for. My job as a coach is to not just to give you the ability to do something better, but also to believe in you in such a powerful way that you accomplish bigger things.
In one specific moment, doubting yourself or believing in yourself can very well make all the difference. Be confident in your ability. Believe in yourself. Not only that, but believe in others. Instill this quality in those around you, then watch as incredible things happen.
Why is it that we stop in the middle of a workout? Why do we stand and stare at the bar? Why do we let up when we should press on? Let’s think for 2 minutes; what’s the worst that can happen if we continue? What are we afraid of?
Potential reasons for stopping in a workout:
Muscle failure—Valid reason
Injury—Valid
Death—Valid
Tired—Invalid
Out of breath—Invalid
Worried about dinner—Invalid
Fear of vomming—Invalid
Fear of getting strong—Invalid
Fear of being awesome—Invalid
Fear of sweating—Invalid
Fear of getting better—Invalid
Fear of fear—Invalid
Fear—Invalid
Next time you think about stopping; think again. I didn’t say to go 130 miles per hour all the time, I just said to keep moving. If you’re getting absolutely obliterated by a WOD, slow down a little, but don’t stop. Press on. The times that you improve are the times you push through your barriers. When your body says stop and your brain fights through, that’s when your body is forced to adapt. You’re now requiring, demanding even, that your body adapts. Your body will have no choice but to make changes. When you push your limits, improvement is inevitable. Push it.
Your life is always in motion. Every thought you think, every word you say, every action you take is leading you somewhere. Some people remain rooted in the ground like seaweed, floating around aimlessly, pushed back and forth by the surroundings. Left and right, left and right, you’re moving in circles and going nowhere. You’re making no difference and you’re heading in no direction; you’re just moving. Don’t be like that. Figure out where you want to go, then don’t take a single day for granted. Each day is a new opportunity to get you closer to where you want to be, to the person you want to become; but as such, every day is also another day you could waste going nowhere. Be intentional in your living. Don’t let your future self look up from the wheel wondering where you are and how you got there. You’re the one driving the car, so drive it already.
Good idea, right? Title the blog with the most loaded question ever?
Who are you when you’re with your parents?
Who are you when you’re with your best friends?
Who are you when you’re with your coworkers?
Who are you when you’re home by yourself?
Who are you when you’re at school or work?
Who are you when you’re with your in-laws?
Now let’s evaluate: if your answer is the exact same for all of these questions, then excellent, well done, you’re awesome. If, however, your answers are different, then we have a problem. This is a problem that needs to be fixed.
Figure out who you are. Figure out who you want to be. Correct what needs to be corrected and let figure A meet figure B.
Be real.
It means you live your life in such a way that not a single person questions the integrity of your character. Everyone who knows you knows exactly what you stand for and where your line will be drawn. They know where your heart is and what your views are, and they are certain that in times of question, you’ll firmly stand by what you believe.
Living above reproach means always doing what you know is right, and not even for a second considering other options. It means people can trust you and stand behind you because you’re always true to your word, and you always do what you know is right.
Living such a life is something I strive for daily. Are you the person people believe you to be? Are you the person you wish you were? If not, get it together and get it fixed. Whatever it is you have to do, get it done. Put what’s behind you behind you and start over if you have to.
Don’t just live up to the expectations others have for you; set expectations for yourself and exceed them.
They’re dumb. I don’t like them. Stop letting other people and their own personal views shape the way you see things. Open your mind up and make the call on your own.
As I sat in class today I realized that the professor of this particular class would receive mixed reviews from her students on the online professor-rating website that most students use. Some don’t like her, while I as well as many others do like her. The problem though is that unsatisfied students/customers are going to tell way more people about their bad experience than the satisfied students/customers will tell about their good experience, and that’s truth based on studies (learned that in marketing, pretty interesting stuff). I began thinking about the fact that students will check out her reviews online, see that so-and-so thought she was no good, then go into class on day one believing that she wasn’t a good professor. How unfair is that? The professor hadn’t even opened her mouth to introduce herself and students had already decided they didn’t like her. This bothers me.
I could apply this logic to countless things, from CrossFit to Christianity, from restaurants to roller coasters, from workouts to waiters and the same feelings would apply.
Try to enter things with an open mind and a good attitude. Allow them to prove themselves. Give them a fighting chance.
No, this isn’t some economics spill, relax. This is a you spill. A you and your mood spill. Though we as humans like to claim independence, we still are affected by those around us. To what degree differs from person to person, but I don’t know anyone who is completely unchanged by the people they interact with.
It doesn’t take a lot for me to have a great day, and I love that. I wake up each day next to my best four-legged-horsedog friend ever, eat the greatest breakfast ever (bacon and eggs of course), chat in the truck with the greatest Dad ever (God Himself), and enjoy a beautiful morning as I walk to class. Bam, my day is already great. So when people ask me, “hey man, how are you doing?” I skip the small talk and say, “broha, my day has been just fantastic.” You’d be amazed at the reactions I get. One girl in particular, a girl I didn’t know at all, responded with “wow, I’ve never heard someone say that before.”
In a world of “I’m good,” “I’m fine,” and “not bad,” a fantastic day tends to stand out. It gets people interested. Even better though, it positively affects the other person’s outlook and can even reset the path for their day.
Everyone has their own invisible hand, and everyone can choose to use it as they so desire. You can lift someone up or pull someone down, often times without even realizing it. Simply sitting down next to someone and going on and on about how terrible your day has been is an easy way to pull someone down, and why? They did nothing wrong, don’t pull them into your gloomy day. Brighten up, kid. The glass isn’t just half full, it’s completely full. 50% H20, 50% 02.
Be a light for those around you. Choose to have a positive influence on everyone you come across and they’ll love you for it. They may never be able to put a finger on it, but there’s just something about you that’s addicting. Be that person.
