As I had previously posted, I am offering a FREE 2 hour coaching session using the latest tool I have developed for defeating core self-limiting beliefs, called "5 Friends".  There are 3 FREE slots left if you are interested. Register here.

My most recent client was skeptical thathis limiting thoughts could be eliminated after a 56 year reign.  Trust me when I say, "I get it."  However, one hour and 45 minutes later in tears he exclaimed, "Wow!  I have just never seen it this way before."  I asked, "Right now in this moment, is there anything you can recognize in you  that would support a belief that "you are not good enough?"  " No, I feel purified, cleansed, unburdened. A weight has been lifted', he responded.  A week later he called, "I am just astonished.  I am really over this and I don't believe it is ever coming back. I'm just no thinking the same way any more."  I smiled, " Well, if it tries to take you over again, then you have "5 Friends" who know how to engage it for your overwhelming satisfaction."

What is a self-limiting belief? 
Self-limiting beliefs are personal opinions, mental blocks, negative thoughts and beliefs, psychological hindrances stored in your mind that prevent you from living abundant. They have negative impact on your life, greatly limit your ability and program your mind to discard a world of possibilities.  Frequently, they are the roadblock preventing you from being "happy" and compromising your ability to achieving your goals and/or FEEL your success.

Here are some examples of powerful self-limiting beliefs that are in absolutely no order or ranking:

• "I'm not good enough."  To be quite vulnerable with you, this was mine for 47 years.  For most of my career I have been a Top 10% performer but I never enjoyed "success" because I was so anxious about always having to prove myself.  Why?  Deep down I knew I was "not good enough".
• "People don't like me."  This belief lead you to think that no one likes you or wants to befriend you because of a flaw or flaws you have. You generally accept that you will never be liked and hence stamped that belief into your mind.
• "I will be rejected."  It exist in a student who is fearful of asking her teacher for assistance, a worker asking her colleague for help, a disciple seeking advice from her mentor, a child desperately wanting her parents to get her a new toy and often it shows up when a person trying to ask another person of the opposite sex a question or out for a date.
  
• "I'll never have money."
• "It's selfish for me to want more."  Or, "It's wrong for me to want more."
  
• "I'm not talented enough".
• "I'm not pretty enough."
• "I won't amount to anything."
• "I'm not smart enough."
• "I don't have enough education."
• "Work is hard."

It is hard to believe that it has been 28 days since we started this P90X excursion.  Yoga continues to kick my butt …but…I am making progress even with this.  Chuck and I have both lost weight but the pounds are not dropping as quickly now as they did in the beginning.  I have been working on a vegan diet which for me translates into 10% or less of my calories coming from animal products.  I love my omelets in the morning.  Today, I had a 2 egg omelet (made one for “honey” too) with onions, tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms.  Wow!  That was good.  Also, we had strawberries and blueberries.  I have been “reading up” (that’s southern for researching) on the “Eat for Life” program and I am intrigued with the idea of making every meal extremely nutritious and tasty.  That’s a really good combination and it seems like a no brainer.  However, I like many of you have been addicted to the American diet of fast food loaded with salt, sugar and other addictive chemicals for years.

I think this is definitely worth a look.  One of my coaching clients, Adam, has been on this diet and has lost about 50 pounds and his energy level is out the roof.  I have been eating “better” for about 3 years now and have lost 30 pounds, blood pressure has improved immensely and energy like Adam’s is out the roof.  However, my approach really has not been nutrition focused as much as it has been about cutting out the alcohol, sugar and useless carbs.  Yes, that does improve your nutrition but the “Eat for Life” approach is far beyond a lose weight diet.  I clipped some info from the site below.  Visit it yourself at www.drfuhrman.com.

Warning: Commercial Below

“Dr. Fuhrman established a unique practice that specializes in treating a variety of medical problems with lifestyle changes and nutrition. The doctors at Dr. Fuhrman's Center for Nutritional Medicine have experience with the variety and complexity of problems that can present in a family medicine office. They also have experience and have demonstrated success helping patients achieve overall health and wellness rather than merely trying to manage the symptoms of their diseases.

Dr. Jay Benson, D.O., is the patient care director at Dr. Fuhrman's Center. He has developed a core competency in the early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases via state-of-the-art, noninvasive, painless testing methods that are free of radiation and more accurate than angiograms and other traditional tests at predicting future heart attack or stroke. The earlier cardiovascular disease can be detected, the easier it can be reversed. The doctors at Dr. Fuhrman's Center for Nutritional Medicine not only utilize an effective nutritional protocol on patients with cardiovascular disease but they document its effectiveness using these same testing methods to track improvements over time.

In addition to treating cardiovascular disease, thousands of patients treated at the Center have made remarkable recoveries from other chronic diseases, including:

• Allergies

• Autoimmune Disease

• Diabetes

• Asthma

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Migraines

• Acne

• Depression

• Others

Patients with diabetes that come to the Center are able to reduce their use of medication or even eliminate their dependence on them completely. Patients with high blood pressure are able to see their blood pressure readings normalize typically over just a few weeks’ time. Most patients notice a dramatic change in their cholesterol levels after having a consult and following the dietary protocol. Unique treatment protocols for specific diseases, which stem from the many years of research, are prescribed and are based on the relationship between food and disease. By taking an evidence-based approach to the treatment of disease and applying the years of research to focused lifestyle changes, patients are able to recover from diseases that had been difficult to treat beforehand.”

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Inspiration...what is it?  I love it when I am “it” but what creates inspiration in my life?  Sometimes we observe how someone…anyone… passionately standing up for a cause inspires us.  It moves us occasionally even when we do not support the cause.  Interesting.  I recall a story I heard while living in Boston a few years ago. I really cannot attest to its authenticity but here it goes anyway.  Benjamin Franklin was going to church one Sunday morning to hear Daniel Webster preach.  Apparently, this was not Ben’s customary Sunday morning activity.  A friend seeing him about to walk into the church asked, “Ben, what are you doing?  You don’t believe what Daniel is about to preach.”  Franklin replied with conviction, “Oh…but he does.” 

There is something about committed, uncompromising people that can be easy to admire.  Perhaps, we yearn to “believe in” something deeper, greater than ourselves and when we see it in others it strikes a chord in our own heart.  This is certainly a popular notion.  If Rasmussen were to take a poll this might be number 1 on the list of explanations.  However, maybe we desire to live our life connected to something we “believe in” that is not grander than ourselves but uniquely connects “ourselves” to this world with purpose.   Consider that inspiration is nothing more than living your life authentically and uniquely as…well…you.  “People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.”  (Saint Augustine)

Have you passed by yourself without wondering?  I spoke at an event a few weeks ago and asked everyone to consider what they would really like to do with their life.  I asked the proverbial question “what is your purpose” and we played a little game around this subject.  In short it went like this.  Take 60 seconds and speak this one sentence to as many people as you can: “I can’t _______________________ (fill in the blank with something you would really love to do) because _________________________ (fill in the blank with why you believe you can’t do this)” The reasons people described as to why they couldn’t do what they wanted were similar across the crowd.  “I don’t have enough money.”  “I don’t have enough time.”  “I am too old.”  “I’m too young.”  “I‘m too tired.” “It would be too scary to start something new.”

Then, we changed the question.  Take 60 seconds and speak this one sentence to as many people as you can: “I CAN _______________________ (fill in the blank with something you would really love to do) because _________________________ (fill in the blank with why you WILL do this)”.   Can you guess as to which 60 second game had the most laughter and energy.  I hope it is obvious that it was the second game we played.  Plus, very few people could restrain themselves to just saying the one sentence in the “I CAN” game.  Fun and joy spontaneously broke out across the room.

I grant that playing these games did not have everyone leaving that day with their life purpose fully identified and their invented ego terminated.  That would take a little more individualized coaching but probably not much more.  Yet, people left “up” and several commented that they had not thought about “why they are here” in years, in decades.  Some had even felt that it was “selfish to do what they wanted to do.”  They felt some relief knowing that they could possibly be and do what they felt a longing to be and do.  

Regarding ego and to be clear, your ego is not you.  Ego is in the way of grasping who you really are.  Ego is how we live to impress and please others.  It is a fabricated answer to “what value do I bring to the world” and so it is defended with tenacity.  Regardless, it is not you.  Our worth was not and is not determined by what we have been taught, what degrees we have, the grades we made, how much money we make, how long we have been unemployed, our life’s vocation, the car we drive, the spouse we married, the kids we have or our family heritage and ancestry.  Our worth was established by God.  To consider anything else is to be lost in a world of fear and in the struggle of what is inferior or superior.

To live inspired all you have to do is be the incredible person you are.  Don’t pass yourself by.  You are worth discovering.  We need you to be a powerful and genuine influence.  You do not serve us by choosing not to risk your own significance.

I have recently developed a new coaching tool that I call ""5 Friends".  Isn't that  an intriguing name? Anyway, it's purpose is to help you and I defeat our self-limiting beliefs in 2 hours or less in such a way as they do not recurr..  I know that is hard to believe but it's working.  Here's part of the intro for your thought provoked pleasure.

"Poet and philosopher, Samuel Coleridge, coined a phrase in 1817, “the willing suspension of disbelief” which he further described as “poetic faith”.  In other words, disbelief is really a belief or poetic faith.  In short, this disbelief can be defined as temporary acceptance as believable events or characters that would ordinarily be seen as incredible.  Coleridge suggested that if a writer could infuse “human interest and a semblance of truth” into a fantastic tale, the reader would suspend judgment regarding the implausibility of the tale.  So, as a participant in some creative work we may allow our self to “experience as real” something we know or may have reason to believe  is pure “make believe”.   In the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” Harrison Ford escapes the Nazis who are looking for him by jumping off his ship, swimming to and getting on the Nazi submarine carrying his pursuers, somehow making his way over to and (I guess) inside the boat itself without getting caught, traveling hundreds of miles to its destination, getting off the sub and making his way into the heavily guarded sub base without getting apprehended or drowning.  We suspend our disbelief in order to experience these outlandish and heroic efforts. 

Notice that somewhere inside you is a place where you can acknowledge or at least suspect something is not true but you still allow its influence.  When you watched “Lion King” for the first time in an audience filled with kids, what happened when the king is trampled by wildebeests?  Did not every kid in the audience start crying because Simba lost his Daddy?  This story is complete fantasy but our kids experienced it as real at some level.  They expressed real emotions.  Is it possible that what we can see and speak about as the “willing suspension of disbelief” is actually a normal, everyday real-life occurrence? " 

If you are interested in being in the Beta test group (at no charge) please register  for a FREE Coaching session and mention  "5 Friends".

OK, I’m having a little stumble here in weight loss as I am still at 6 pounds down.  I am not going to worry about it as I have lost a full inch off my waist.  Gotta love that.  Do you think my organic chips and salsa could be getting in the way?  I have nightly cravings that I have satisfied a few times.  What about my ice cream two nights ago?  Hmmm.  That may have something to do with it.  It’s time to take it up a notch or two on the diet.  That being said, I need friendly and meaningful support.   Chuck, however, is down 15 pounds in 16 days.  Wow…the big show off! 

The second time through the workouts is easier.  Of course, we have not upped the weight yet.  That will start this week.  I have to go buy more weights.  I’m considering a full set of dumbbells.   Regardless, increasing the weight will definitely increase the intensity.  Love that.

Anyway, thank you for your continued support.  Remember that you can post comments on this site and Facebook.  Also, I want to encourage you to so something you have never done before (don't get arrested) this week.  Do so without expectaton and let me know what happens for you on the inside.  Be the kid you are still meant to be!

Through Day 11

Some of you no doubt wandered if I had quit P90X given the lack of posting lately.  Oh contraire!  Finished Day 11 this morning and going strong.  We went through Ab Ripper X this morning and once again the typical “I can hardly move afterwards” set in.  That’s OK.  Chuck and I are making progress. 

You are wondering about weight…I can tell.  I have lost 6 pounds in 11 days.  I am not going hungry but eating healthy.  I have cut out all sugar, most fat and continue to eat 90% organic.  I have more energy than I have ever had in my entire life.  Now, I can’t give P90X all of the credit for the weight loss as I have been eating healthy for a couple of years and no doubt that is a main contributor.  Combine daily intense workout with good food and you have mixed a nice healthy, life changing cocktail.  Speaking of cocktails…I no longer imbibe in the alcoholic beverage.  I stopped about 3 years ago and don’t miss it.  I was using it to relax, de-stress and just reached a point where I was looking forward to drinking at the end of most every day.   I am making no moral comment on the subject but it was a needed choice for me.  I’m crazy enough without it.   

I have found that exercise, an overall healthy lifestyle and most importantly, a return to a spiritual walk with God are completely satisfying.  It’s invigorating to be “new” every day.  I was having a conversation with a good friend yesterday who commented how he had lost his “dreams”.   I observed that it was easier (whatever that means) for me to have dreams when I was young but more challenging to “recover” them or “discover” them later when life has happened to you.   It was a good conversation.

So, if you can relate to that thought in some way, then peruse this site but also www.lifecoachingdesign.com and www.themindofchrist.net for some helpful guidance.  If you want to talk more then you can FB me or register on one of my sites requesting a call.  Leave your number.  Enjoy your day!

Day 4 was legs and shoulders.  I can barely walk. I’ll sit at my desk forgetting the morning's work out and as soon as I go to stand up I am immediately reminded.  Bam! Pow! Whew! #$%@!  The squats while leaning against the wall were merciless.  At one point we are told to rise from the 90 degree position and I could not move.  My brain was saying, “get up” but my legs were unresponsive.  Would I remain in this position for the rest of my life?  It turns out…”no”.  I’m stiff, sore but still enjoying P90X.

Day 3 was Yoga which I thought after the burn of the beginning this would be like a day off.  Why would I think such a thing?  Well, everyone I have ever seen doing Yoga looks like they are stretching and have such a sense of peace and tranquility on their faces.  There’s this nice tranquil music playing, a soft voice explaining the routine, they are on a beach and it looks so easy.   Awesome…this won’t be a hard day. 

Wow.  Was I ever wrong?!  We moved and stretched for an hour and the muscles were burning and the sweat was once again absolutely pouring off my body.  During the work out, Tony (we’re on a first name basis now as I feel close to him after 4 grueling days. Plus, he is fun on the video.) would talk about being peaceful even during the strain.  I’ll have to agree that Yoga does end up having a therapeutic and mind clearing effect.  I was not expecting this outcome on the very first day I engaged this activity.  It was refreshing.

Now, I would have this suggestion for Tony if he’s listening and maybe he does this in later videos.  He should have an average, 51 year old guy like me doing the program on a video with him.  This would help people see what normal really looks like when you go through P90X.  I stumble and lose my balance.  I can’t always keep up with him but I am genuinely doing this for my health and will not give up. I have knee issues, shoulder issues and back issues but I still am able to move through the exercises pushing myself while being careful of my limitations.  Everyone I’ve seen so far are the “perfect”, “beautiful” people.  They, too, are inspiring but having an “average Kev” might help.  It certainly would add a few more smiles.

Now on the testimonial side and I realize that I am only through Day 4 but I am increasingly inspired to do this even though I get up at 5:45am.  This is an intense work out, well-paced and I feel genuine encouragement from my work out partner Chuck and my video partner Tony to continue.  I’m going to make it and be a lean mean fighting machine when I am completed.

Question: when was the last time you did something healthy for yourself that pushed you and that you had never done before?  If you were to do something like that what would it be?  What could you do that would inspire you?  Write it down.  Think about it.  Do it.

I'm sore but it is a good sore.  Chuck and I were at it again today and we were sweating up a storm  5 minutes into the work out.  I have not exercised like this since I was in my 20s.  I appreciate the encouragement via email, twitter and facebook...thank you.  In 88 more days I plan on being a lean mean fightin' machine...again.  Yes, as I mentioned we are doing an organic version of the P90X diet which is similar to South Beach.  I am not going to overly focus on the weight loss though I must admit I am very encouraged  with the start.  I weighed 182 the day before we started and I am at 179 two days later.  Yeehah!

There has been a request for before and after pictures.  My wife is taking them but I haven't decided to post them.  So, we'll see on that one.  But here is (below) what my abs look like...right underneath about a half inch of pudgy.

So, why are you doing this, Kevin?  Well, I certainly need to get healthier and I find that following someone's plan other than my own with a partner(s) helps me achieve my goals.  Simply, it helps me stay committed and I have more fun when I do something like this with others.  Chuck and I are breathing hard, sweating like crazy and laughing with and at each other as we move through the program. It really is fun and Chuck is such a good partner for me.

Additionally, I have patterns in my life that are 40 years old.  To have a breakthrough I need meaningful shifts in my internal dialogue, inspiration , radical passion and entertainment.  To intervene in life long thought patterns and create natural paths to success takes an achievement cocktail.  Something may inspire you to engage your personal development but we all need the comprehensive approach to make it last.  Plus, doing something you have never done before (P90X is my latest) that is in line with your personal values and "gets you to where you want to go' is exhilarating.  

When was the last time you did something you have never done before?  Check out www.themindofchrist.net for a Christian application of this principle.

OK, call me crazy but I am 51 years old and started P90X today with a buddy of mine who is also in his 50s.  Yes, we are following the diet plan as well.   It is time to go ahead and get radically healthy and back in shape.  I solicit your prayers and encouragement.

We started Day 1 at Chuck's house at 6:30am and our arms were burning less than 5 minutes into the routine.  Loved it though I was not expecting the pain that quick.  As many of you know, I have lost 25 pounds and kept it off over the past 2 years.  The weight was bad for my heart though good for distance on my tee shot.  Well, I dropped the 25 pounds anyway and also came off my blood pressure medicine.  Amen to that!  As good as those results have been, I still desire to lose the extra weight that is left.  I am one of those guys that gains weight in his chest and would you believe I come from a long line of men with heart disease.  Since I have a few more things to accomplish on this earth before I go, I have decided to stay healthy as long as I can.  Enter P90X and this 90 day declaration to radical health.

I'll keep you up on how it is going and thank you ahead of time for your support.  Is there some way I can support you?  I'd love to help.  This being said, I am just wondering, "What actions are you taking to bring your dreams to fruition this week"?  You deserve to live the life of your dreams.  God wants you to and we need you to change the world with your dreams.  If you are out there and this resonates with you, let me know.  Someone needs you to take a stand, to show up big, to make a difference.  You are the leader you have been waiting for so be the change you want to see.