Are You Loyal? You May Be Surprised Compared To This…

I grew up with an older brother who was 15 years older than me. Normally due to the age gap, he would be out of the house for most of my early years. But my brother chose to stay around to take care of me since my parents traveled a lot for work.

I have vivid memories of Bruce always making my sports games. I could always rely on him taking time to throw the football or play basketball with me. He would take me to White Sox games to concerts. He always put me before himself.

I had a real life example of what loyalty looked like up close and personal for many years and it has continued decades later. Little did I know back then what an example he was setting for me for the rest of my life.

Loyalty defined is faithfulness or a devotion to a person or a cause.

Why? Because Loyalty asks something of you.

It can only be faked for a very short period of time. If it’s not a genuine character quality of you, it will be exposed instantly.

Here are Three Ways to Know If You’re Truly Loyal:

 Loyalty is DEPENDABILITY

There are few people you can really depend on and I mean truly depend on. When someone is loyal to you, no matter what, you know you can rely on them to come through for you.

There is a trust that they will be there for you through thick and even thicker at a moment’s notice. They will always call you back. They will always help you move (great way to test a friendship). They will always be whatever you need in that moment.

This is the devotion aspect in the definition. Whether they agree with you or not, they’re devoted and you can depend on them to see you through.

Loyalty is CONSISTENCY

This character quality is also proven over time. Someone can offer this incredible gift to you once in awhile but it’s not loyalty because it’s inconsistent.

Loyalty is something you can bank on every single time. You know they will come through even if absolutely no one else will. Why? Because they’ve done it before and will do it again.

My brother works as a laborer downtown Chicago. He’s more than double the age of the oldest laborer that works with him. Yet he’s always the first to arrive and the last to leave. As a result, he’s the most depended on and consistent worker in the company. No surprise there.

No matter his family or his co-workers, they see Bruce’s loyalty and it’s amazing. And rare. 

There is one more aspect of loyalty that separates the men from the boys…

Loyalty is SELFLESSNESS

When someone is loyal, they’re not thinking about themselves at all. They choose to put their personal preferences aside to truly be there for you.

My brother would come home from work absolutely blasted but would always take time to play some sport with me. Why? Obligation? Nowhere close. Selflessness. It’s something I remember three decades later and so thankful for his investment and example in my life of loyalty.

You can see why this is such a rare character quality since our society is so self-absorbed. And as a result, finding someone loyal is an amazing gift.

A loyal person will think of you first and how it will affect you before thinking of themselves first and how it will affect them individually. What a difference in perspective.

Closing Challenge…

This is how Tony Dungy describes loyalty in his book, Mentor Leader:

“Loyalty, of course, is related to integrity and trustworthiness, but it’s also slightly different. 

Loyalty involves being faithful to something or someone — a team, a mission, or an individual.  Simply being trustworthy does not necessarily demonstrate loyalty.  I could keep someones trust without caring for him or her. 

Loyalty takes trustworthiness and integrity to another level. Loyalty develops depth in a relationship.”

Motivated, busy professionals often care more about getting things done then the person they’re ultimately becoming. This is why focusing on being personally better is so important.

And our character is always on display. We have daily choices to strengthen character quality especially those that can deepen a relationship.

I challenge you to look at this incredible character quality of loyalty. Do you need to grow in this area?

Is there someone in your life that has been a model that you need to let them know today how much you value and appreciate this quality in your life? 

Guess who I need to thank… (picture of my brother and his wife)

Closing Question…

So, in light of re-defining loyalty, are you as loyal as you think you are…?

How Changing This ONE Thing Dramatically Affected My Workouts

Three Benefits of Variety in a Workout

Consistency is not an issue for me with working out. I don’t need motivation to do a workout. I’ve come to the point where I see the benefits and it has become a strong habit in my daily routine.

But I have struggled with seeing the results I want to see quick enough. Call me impatient but if I’m going to put in the effort, I want the ROI (return on investment). Are you with me? Can I get a fitness amen?

I have a competitive, athletic wife which is awesome. It’s rare a guy can workout with his wife and I’m definitely blessed in this among many other areas.

One day my wife suggested I do one of her workouts with her. It was a BeachBody workout I was aware of but had never tried. She talked me into trying it just for one day. We were short on time and we both needed to workout. (we use the same workout space)

She was doing Les Mills Pump which is a high rep, high intensity workout and focuses on continual repetitions of primarily one body part for five minutes using different speeds of repetitions.

Watch this two minute video if interested HERE:

Since I had never tried it, wanted and needed something new, and she had it set, it was go time. I thought, “how hard can this really be?” I have to be honest, I had a GREAT workout.

I was challenged big time by Three Benefits of Variety in a Workout:

1. Variety Has Challenged Me MENTALLY

There is something to not knowing what is coming next in a workout routine. It keeps you engaged and involved in the workout.

It’s so easy to be in a mental coma on a routine that you know so well you can do without thinking.

I have memories of working out in a gym time after time and zoning out so much I couldn’t remember which set I was on or if I had done a particular exercise yet. Not good, fitness fans.

Since I had never done Les Mills Pump I had absolutely no clue what to do next and expect. As a result, I was so mentally engaged.

I needed the variety of this new routine and it made me enjoy the workout all the more. It also made me look forward to the workout the next day not knowing what was coming next.

You need to be challenged mentally with your workouts. If your mind is not engaged, there is a high probability neither is your body.

2. Variety Has Challenged Me PHYSICALLY

Since I was challenged mentally, this led to me being challenged physically. It meant everything was new and by default, would affect my body.

As a result, I have been SO sore this past week! Muscles that I thought would not be sore were screaming at me.

Why? Variety. Les Mills Pump hit my muscles in a different way using a different method (more reps with lighter weight over a long period of time). And it worked!

My workout routine was SO different this past week and as a result, my body is being challenged and affected in different ways and I love it!

Often, the main reason you’re not seeing results is ROUTINE. Your body has grown so accustomed to your workout that it’s just not challenged.

You may need to change things up. Maybe you can only workout at a certain time of day and for roughly a certain length of time.

But… you do have the ability of choosing a different type of workout. And this may be just what your body needs.

3. Variety Has Provided Me With Much Needed Options

Lastly, variety requires options. You need them mentally to stay engaged. And you need them physically to see results.

I’ve chosen to do home workouts. It was NEVER this way years ago. I was ALWAYS a gym rat. I loved the energy of the gym, being around other people and mostly using barbells and machines. Oh have things changed through the years.

My season of life has changed to traveling, working from home, and in my mid-forties. Does your season of life match your workouts or does something need to changer?

Now I primarily use BeachBody workouts. There are so many options and all can push me to get the results I want if I leave no rep left behind. I can always get a great workout in 30-45 minutes.

I’m also able to replicate many of the workout routines on the road since I travel often for work and my workout is in a hotel fitness center.

I’ve often been asked which BeachBody workouts I use so here is the Crabby Patty Secret Formula:

Body Beast (all dumbbell weightlifter type routine)

P90X3

Insanity Max:30

Focus T25

Les Mills Combat

Les Mills Pump (new to me and usually my wife’s workout)

Tapout XT (technically not a BeachBody program but same style)

(plus the original P90X and Insanity)

Here’s where variety kicks in. Since I have so many options, I can change things up at any given moment. I can do an arm workout from Body Beast and a chest / shoulder workout from P90X3. I also have ab workouts from almost every BeachBody program.

And as a direct result, I should always have variety Mentally, Physically, and Numerous Options.

Closing Challenge…

Some people simply don’t like change. It requires effort and I get that.

But you don’t get keep doing the same thing over and over and expect to see results. Personal foul. Make the bad man stop.

If you’re in the middle of a workout structure that is time-stamped (like 45 days into a 90 day workout routine like P90X3), stay the course. Don’t change!

But a majority of people are going through the same motions day after day and could use a change. If that’s you, I challenge you to the one word that has been great for me in my workouts recently: VARIETY.

Motivated, busy professionals need to be challenged especially in the area of fitness and I challenge you to add variety to your workout for just one week and see and feel the results yourself. You’ll be shocked.

Closing Question

How can you add variety into your workout to mentally and physically challenge yourself?

Are You Reading More Than the Average Professional?

Three Things You Need To Find with Reading

I’m absolutely amazed at one thing I find over and over with professionals. You would think because of their education this would happen more often but it simply rarely happens.

And the excuses. Oh, the excuses! They sound like a kid who didn’t get their homework done. To them, they sound valid but to the teacher, simply unrealistic and weak.

Maybe it’s the busyness of life. But we’re all busy.

Most professionals simply don’t read anymore. I’m not talking about emails, texts, presentations, and words on social media or tv.

I mean a good old fashioned book, ebook, or a document with substance.

There are two things that usually surprise people about me (210 lb guy into nutrition and sports)

1. I play the piano (college minor degree)

2. I absolutely love to read

It goes to show that you just never know when you’ll come across a reader.  Anyone can do it. Even a health-conscious sports guy.

This post isn’t discussing the value in reading. That should be a given. My angle is how to make it happen if it’s not a regular and consistent part of your routine.

But how? Life is so busy. 

Here are three things you need to find with reading…

1. FIND the TIME

As educated as most professionals are, we still fall for the belief of these four words, “when I have time”.

Has it ever happened? We fill our time with the things that matter to us. There is never extra. (imagine that)

We simply need to find time to read. It’s there. You just have to look at the rhythm of your life and make wise decisions.

I really didn’t start reading until ironically AFTER college. My first job had the team read one book a month and discuss it. I found myself needing to be forced to read but it ultimately created a hunger for reading.

After four years at this job and this monthly rhythm, I was hooked. There’s rarely a day that goes by that I don’t take at least a few minutes to read. Most of the time it’s a minimum of 30 minutes and often twice a day.

James Clear writes a great post on How I Read More: The Simple System I’m Using to Read 30+ Books a Year.

So, here are some suggestions:

• If you drive more than just a few minutes, start listening and turning your vehicle into a mobile classroom. Use audiobooks as your means of using your time wisely. (check out: Audible)

• Choose a realistic amount of time to get started. Pick just 10 minutes and schedule the time so it’s not something you “hope” to get to within your day.

• Look for the most ideal time in your day that you would enjoy this few minutes to read. I listen to an audiobook in my morning 30 minute run or bike time then 30 minutes in the evening after the kids go to bed and before the tv comes on every night. (note: usually two different books and subjects)

The point is make it a priority to find the time, just 10 minutes of time to implement this new habit.

2. FIND the SUBJECT

I’ve found that one of the biggest reasons people stopped reading beyond not having time is not finding something they like to read.

After you’ve found the time, you now need to find the subject you like to read. Fiction or nonfiction? History? Biographies? There are SO many options.

I regularly search for new books in two ways:

• Barnes-N-Noble – nothing beats walking into a bookstore with all of the subjects right there in front of you and a ton of books right there to peak my interest. I’ll find the sections that interest me the most (Business / Leadership / Health / Christian Growth / Self-Improvement) then get out my phone and take pictures of the covers.I usually grab about a half dozen books, find a chair, put my headphones on, and find the ones that really interest me. I then search my local public library’s vast database and often find most of the books there. The ones I really like, I buy off Amazon in print or ebook.

• iTunes / Amazon – I also look at the book section online to see what’s new. iBooks or the Kindle store on Amazon will not only have new options but also tracks my clicks and interests. (kinda cool and spooky)

Once you find the subject, you’ll be completely amazed at how many options you’ll have in a matter of minutes. I absolutely love searching for new books. Crazy, huh?!

3. FIND the GROWTH

We find time for the things that matter most to us. And if we could find the subjects that already interest us, we cannot help but find the growth. It’s a natural by-product.

Do you realize that a subject you enjoy can lead to a stress release by escaping for a few minutes into a book? Added bonus at no additional charge.

It can also lead to confidence. You have something of value to add.

I love usually being the most read person in the room. I’m confident in referencing something I’ve read and not offering a mere opinion only.  This comes from growth.

Nothing beats a rare conversation that switches from mere weather, jobs, and sports to what you’re learning from reading. How would you do? Could you contribute or would you have to quote tv or movie lines instead?

Growth really increases when you begin reviewing and tracking what you’ve been reading. There’s nobody better than Jonathan Milligan in this area. He’s written on how he daily, weekly, and monthly reviews his past books and how he does it. Love this process! Check out these awesome posts:

Read. Review. Recall. A Simple Book Review System

And if you really want a challenge…

How to Read One Book a Week for a Year

Closing Challenge…

You’ve probably heard the phrase “leaders are readers”. Catchy and true. But the same should be true with professionals especially motivated, busy professionals.

Are you reading more than the average professional? Has this content challenged you? Should you be reading something on a consistent basis? Don’t worry about finishing a book in a week right now. But how about a month?

Start today. Read at least ten minutes. Get on Amazon or iTunes for iBooks. Visit Barnes-N-Noble.

Do something. Make a commitment. I promise you won’t regret it. You will be the rare motivated busy professional who can and does actually read!

Closing Question…

What do you need to do today to begin the process of becoming a consistent reader?