Natural Physiques Newsletter Volume I Issue 8 October 8th, 2004

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Table of Contents

1. In this Issue
2. Quotes
3. Editorial: How Do We Connect Through Time?
4. What's New
5. Training: Excerpt from The Training Encyclopedia
6. Nutrition: Have a Healthy Halloween
7. Health News
8. Motivation: Transforming Bad Habits
9. Business Development: Financial Independence
10. Closing Thoughts
11. Subscription Information

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1. In this Issue

Welcome to the eighth issue of the monthly Natural Physiques™ Newsletter! As always, I welcome you to contact me with your comments, suggestions, and constructive feedback.

I have had incredible interaction with my team this month, and therefore teamwork is the topic of our quotes this month. In this month's editorial, I share the exhilarating experience of attending an international convention for the company we partner with. Read recent articles we've published, learn about an amazing new skincare line, and check out our featured calculator in the "What's New" section. In Training we have an excerpt from The Training Encyclopedia, including exercise instruction and two sample training routines - one for novices and one for advanced lifters! Our North American readers are heading into the holiday season, so I felt it appropriate to share how to engage in a Healthy Halloween. Our monthly Health News covers several late-breaking nutrition and supplementation topics - be sure to check out the incredible cost-savings that would be possible if more people would take responsibility for their health. Once again, Brian Tracy contributes a motivational message, this time about Transforming Bad Habits. In Business Development, philosopher Jim Rohn writes about Financial Independence.

2. Quotes

Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. - Vince Lombardi

None of us is as smart as all of us. - Ken Blanchard

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20

3. Editorial: How Do We Connect Through Time?

How do we do it?

How is it a simple letter, a group of words fixed on paper, can so eloquently connect two people to each other across the void of distance, electrons, and light? Then we speak, and add a new dimension - tone and inflection, still consisting of waves and perturbations that are easily digitized and transported and reassembled and yet so familiar to the brain. Finally in person, we meet, we register, we click and connect, the picture is complete, and something eerie comes to the surface ... that internally, we were connected all along, that the meeting in person is simply a formality.

Have you heard how the key to living a good life is to choose your friends, to choose to interact and surround yourself with the people who "have it"? This month, I was blessed to travel to a beautiful city in the valley amidst the mountains and connect with people who have it. Have what? Have freedom. Have happiness. Have a passion to help, a passion for success. People who are tapped in and connected to their vision. A vision that is not going to be fulfilled in this lifetime - a vision large enough to last beyond to the next generation. Does such a vision have time to selfish pursuit, ego, or material desire? That vision is too large, spans too far, and becomes a part of something even greater.

We said our goodbyes one evening and for the first time in my life I did not feel the stabbing pain of "goodbye" or the sinking feeling that I was somehow going to lose something, the dread of falling asleep in bliss and awaking to a new day with the energy lost. See, we CONNECTED and I know that the connection does not require a certain proximity. Nope - we are tapped into that fabric from which everything is woven and what a GREAT feeling.

No matter how deep the connection, nothing would ever draw me away from the excitement I experience as I come closer to my family. As I flew on the plane back, sitting next to the renown Dr. Strand, sharing our ideas about nutrition and learning about his incredible success helping people find the freedom they deserve (freedom from obesity, from diabetes, from overweight, from degenerative disease - his focus with his practice is to take people and move them into a healthy lifestyle, sound similar? Is it a coincidence that we ended up next to each other on fully booked flight ... or can we be objective and understand something greater is at work?) ... I digress ... as this experience unfolded, that excitement also grew because with every passing wisp of cloud I drew closer to my family.

My wife and daughter picked me up and we visited with my grandparents and had a terrific lunch together. Afterwards my uncle stopped by. Isn't family fantastic? My wife ran into the room and said "Come here, fast ..." and we rushed to the living room to see a large five-point buck standing idly in the backyard, gazing at a doe on the other side of the creek while two young ones, their spots already gone, rested in the garden.

My daughter was excited at the surprises that I brought her and of course I had to sit next to her for most of the visit. I know my wife had a long day so I offered to drive us home. I put in the CD from the convention and let the memories trigger as I drifted back to my home.

It is hard to describe how you are moving across the plain and then suddenly you realize that the dark band in the distance is not low-lying clouds but a majestic range of mountains - Black Hills if you will - that is slowly sweeping upwards to meet the sky. We have the most dynamic cloud patterns - one side of the sky, blue, literally mixed and swirled with a complex pattern of the storm as the dark clouds edged onwards and eventually blended into the mountains themselves.

As we moved into the valley, the sun exploded from the clouds. The hillside was illuminated. Imagine the stark contrast - the sun is on one side, shining bright through clear skies, onto the side of the mountain, that has a looming, ominous storm behind it. Imagine how the black, dark backdrop illuminated the gold and copper leaves turning as winter creeps into the range while the sun slips towards the horizon.

I was lost in paradise. We slipped in the Dances with Wolves CD - the symphony was appropriate. As the violins and strings cascaded in a complex rhythm that was layer upon layer, we wound higher into the hills. Bright colors danced on the side of the mountains, while the dark storm swirled to one side and the colorful wisps of red clouds soaked the sunset. The air began to cool immediately ... it was 85 degrees when we entered the hills and rapidly dropped to 65 ... then 60. The breeze picked up and the fresh mountain air simply flowed around us and made the trees whisper in synch with the music.

We reached our humble town nestled in the hills and as we climbed the road to our house, the valley was awash in color as the bright homes that declared their uniqueness reflected the last bit of dwindling sunlight. We pulled to the house. The dark grass that was turning brown in patches was windswept. There were petals scattered by the wind. I stepped out into the cool air and gazed over the valley and simply stood their electrified by my purpose.

What is freedom like?

Is it a million dollars?

Is it not having to report to work?

Is it living in another country?

Is it drifting weightloss in free fall or outer space?

Or can it truly be as simple as receiving the grace to sit on a step, to look over a beautiful valley, to drink in cool, fresh air and a marvelous sunset while the Ponderosa pines whistle softly and your daughter giggles in your ear?

Can I even share how amazing it is to be free? Is it possible to even connect? This was an incredible experience to me. My, how lives can be changed. How people can embrace health and living life. How we don't have to struggle and worry about what's next or how we can climb or who we have to push out of the way ... instead we can love and share and instead of condescending we are ASCENDING in our PEACE and living in the moment. We can pause to enjoy a masterpiece called life that God created and blesses us with every day if we only pause to stop and look and listen and yes, even HEAR his voice he speaks so softly, but a whisper, yet when the only other sound is a giggle and a whir then the laughter and the connection and His love can be felt.

I am happy to be home. I cannot wait for tomorrow. I am excited to share this as I turn 30 - and I am proud of the legacy I have participated in so far ... it is not something I could have done alone, I am so connected with the most incredible team in the world, people who just lift others and give and share, and what a feeling that is to be not alone both inside and without. I can't wait to see what new challenges lie ahead and how they will serve me to grow and be able to take on greater challenges. I welcome the challenge. I am awake, I fell awake, no longer sleeping or sleep-walking through life or walking on the line between the arrows ... now I am awake and leaping and climbing and going where no one else has gone, and doing it of my own accord, but not alone, no, not alone.

It is great to have purpose and vision, isn't it? Isn't it awesome to be in pursuit of greatness - a greatness greater than who we are?

I had to sit and write and share, I am so full I have to let some out so that there is room to receive more. Thank you and God bless.

Jeremy Likness

4. What's New

The company that we partner with creates new preserving technology for skincare products!

Break through patent-pending preservative technology now available in the product line

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 16, 2004 — The company that I partner with today announced the re-launch of its popular skin and personal care product line, now formulated with new preserving technology. The revolutionary (patent pending) technology uses a combination of botanicals, antioxidants and other active ingredients to keep products fresh, without the use of parabens, the most common preservative used in cosmetics and skin care products. Parabens (preservatives) are commonly used to extend the life of nearly all cosmetic products. However, the new skincare line is formulated without parabens but still offers the same two-year shelf life. This line is the first major skin care line in the world to implement this new scientific advancement. “Our preservative technology will change skin care as we know it. The cosmetic industry has been trying to discover a way to preserve products without parabens for years, and by introducing our new technology in the ... line, [the company] continues to establish itself as the leader in the industry,” said Dr. Myron Wentz, founder and chairman of the company. The skincare line “has raised the bar for cosmetic companies around the world.”

The skin care line will include the same products but will now be formulated with the new patent pending technology ... [the] hair and body products are also being reintroduced with the new technology and include two new products.

Click here for the full press release (PDF format). Visit this link to learn more about the product line. We proudly offer our subscribers the opportunity to enroll as a preferred customer to receive up to a 35% discount from the retail rate. Simply choose the "Preferred Customer" option and then select auto-ship for the deepest discounts - you pay the same price we do!

Featured Calculator:

This month's featured calculator is the Zig-Zag Calculator for Fat Loss and/or Muscle Gain. This is perhaps one of the most powerful methods known for fat loss. The key to the zig-zag method is that your average calories remain low while your actual calories alternate from low days to high days. Theoretically, this keeps your metabolism from slowing down like it would were you to consume the same low amount every day! There is more discussion about zig-zag in Become the Journey as well as in Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle.

Featured Articles

• Veteran author Dennis B. Weis packs a powerful mental punch in his Mind Power Doctrine
• Low-carb chef Robyne Arrow shares a bit of kitchen magic with Move Over Mr. Cheat...
• The World Natural Sports Organization brings us an article by Patricia Wagner called Twenty-One Days to a Positive Attitude-Habit
• Tennis expert LaRue E. Cook brings us more insightful training information with Combat the Imbalances of Tennis through Smart Training
• Trainer from "down under" Gary Matthews gives us a special report called The Truth About Low Carb Dieting
• We received two new Success Stories with Stan who went from Chunk to Hunk and Evanthia's journey From Low Calorie to Our Success Gallery
• Don't forget to browse our friends' gallery, and take a look at the new member pictures - have you considered submitting your own?

Forums at a Glance

We have a very active online community dedicated to sharing information and inspiration with each other. The following is a snapshot of some of the discussions our community engaged in during the month of September.

Running in first 5k

Ok. I am running in my first 5K race on October 9th. While I am realistic that I am no where near where I need to be for winning. Just the fact that I will be able to run it is a major accomplishment in my book. So my goal is to finish. I have been running 5K on a treadmill for about 2 months now. (More...)

"Newbie" introduction

Hi everyone, I've been lurking a bit and thought I would introduce myself. I am 42 years old, married to a wonderful man for 20 years, and 18 and 15 1/2 year old daughters, one dog and one cat. I have been lifting weights since the end of January although the past couple of months I have slacked off a lot ... (More...)

Hi there...

... I am bisous, female, 30 years old, getting married in three weeks. For the past 15 years I've been either running, lifting weights, or both, except for several breaks due to job/school intensity and injuries ... (More...)

HR Monitor

I am thinking seriously about purchasing one. Does anybody else use one? I tend to go by my level of exertion, if I can talk ok (not real easily) and then crank it up until I can't go anymore and then take it down a few notches ... (More...)

Major journal activity

We continue to have consistent contributions to our journals. We have users training for races, losing fat, bulking to gain muscle, trainers, and many others who share their daily updates with us. (More...)

Plateau!

(I think) 130 is a number I can't seem to get below. Meals today are (as an example - this is pretty typical for a non-weight day) ... (More...)

5. Training: Excerpt from The Training Encyclopedia

Fiber Distribution

Fiber distribution refers to the composition of your muscles. There are various types of muscle fibers. Some fibers can handle high repetitions of weight but are not equipped to deal with high intensity (i.e. very heavy loads). Other muscle fibers can handle heavy loads, but damage easily and cannot handle multiple repetitions. By performing a very simple test, you can determine what distribution your various muscles are and adjust your training accordingly.

The test is straightforward. For the muscle you are targeting, and we'll use chest as an example, pick a standard exercise (in this case, the bench press) and a weight that you can perform about 10 reps. This means that if you used that weight and pushed the barbell until you couldn't possibly lift it any more, you would complete about 10 repetitions. This is known as your 10-rep max.

Now, simply perform 7 sets to failure. That's it! Load the weight, push out as many repetitions as you possibly could do, rest exactly one minute, then repeat for a total of 7 repetitions.

Besides being a great workout in itself, this will tell you exactly how to design your training program! Let's explain. If you were to perform the above test and your repetitions for each set looked like this:

10, 10, 9, 9, 12, 11, 10

We would know you had a high endurance fiber distribution in your chest. It may seem odd that you would suddenly have a higher rep set after fatiguing, but this can actually occur. It is a phenomenon known as neuromuscular facilitation and happens as your central nervous system adapts to the workout. For muscles that exhibit this type of fatigue, you would want to perform higher repetitions - when the typical recommendation is 12 reps, for example, you would perform 15 - 20. When the typical recommendation is 4 reps, you might perform 8 reps instead.

If your scores looked like this:

10, 8, 4, 2, 1, 1, 1

Then we would know this muscle fatigues quickly. We would assume it contains fast-twitch or "explosive" fiber. This muscle has more potential to increase in size, but you must take care not to annihilate it. For muscle groups that exhibit this type of fatigue, we would work fewer repetitions. If the typical recommendation is 12 reps, you would perform only 8 - 10. If the recommendation were 4 reps, you would perform 2 - 3 reps instead.

This will be a continuum between fast and slow twitch, so there is no exact method other than an actual biopsy of your muscle to determine the structure. This type of test, however, can help you get closer to a program that is right for you.

Warm-ups

You should always warm-up before beginning your resistance training sessions! The warm-up is relatively simple but goes a long way towards injury prevention. You have a cardiovascular warm-up and a set of stretches and control drills that should get the blood flowing before a workout. After that, simply take half of the first weight you will lift and perform 15 - 20 reps. If you are going to lift heavy (i.e. 8 reps or fewer) then add another 20% and perform another 10 reps (add a second warm-up set). These reps should be sufficient to warm the muscle and prepare it for work. Wait another 30 - 60 seconds, then begin your workout!

The Two-Rep Rule

Everyone can lift different amounts of weight, and improves at a different rate. Instead of forcing you to progress by a fixed amount, I prefer to incorporate what I call the "2-rep rule." If your target reps are 10, then you should be able to perform at least 8 repetitions (10 minus 2). If you cannot perform the target reps (less 2 reps), then you are working with too heavy a weight - reduce the weight for your next set or workout. If you successfully perform 10 repetitions, continue. If you cannot get past 10 or 11 repetitions, then stay at that weight. If you succeed in completing 12 repetitions (10 plus 2) then you are ready to advance to the next weight.

For example, you bench press requires 15 reps. You attempt 100 pounds, and complete 12 reps. Since you did not reach within 2 reps of your goal, you will lower the weight. The next time you workout, you complete 15 reps at 90 pounds. You try to continue, but cannot. You stay at that weight. In a subsequent workout, you complete 15 reps, so you continue, and you reach 17 reps. You stop at that point, make a note, and attempt 95 or 100 pounds the next workout.

We will recommend an "adjustment" weight for each workout, so that using the 2- rep rule, you can make appropriate adjustments when the time is right for you. In the workout chart, a column will indicate the recommended weights to adjust by.

Frequency

So how often should you train? This is an old question that can't be answered by a book! The truth is, every person responds differently to training. You have your own genetic potential which includes not only your ability to gain muscle or lose fat, but your ability to recover. Recovery is further impacted by your lifestyle. Do you get adequate sleep? Do you drink alcoholic beverages? Are you in a high stress job? Do you perform manual labor throughout the day?

Your body will have to be your own laboratory to experiment with until you learn the combination that is right for you. Some people train a muscle once every 7 days. Some use a split that has them training muscle every 5 days or twice one week and once the next week. I have even performed a cycle with training each muscle three times per week with limited success. I keep a very detailed journal and record my progress so that I can review my various training styles and ascertain which is right for me.

As for switching phases, this is another task for you. Many people like to change their style of training or at least their exercises every 4 weeks. I prefer a more specific approach. More specific than 4 weeks? Yes! It is more specific because this approach listens to your body. Instead of picking an arbitrary time frame like 4 weeks, why not follow the wisdom of "if it's not broke, don't fix it"? In other words, if you are progressing (and by progressing I mean increasing either repetitions or weight each visit to the gym) then why change anything? You are achieving success! On the other hand, if you find you are starting to plateau, then it is the perfect time to try something new.

I also recommend doing at least 1 week of a moderate workout every 6 - 8 weeks for active recovery, and taking a full week from any specific resistance training every 8 - 20 weeks. Yes, that's a huge range but then the human body can be quite diverse. The key is not to train all of the time - you do need periods of rest!

Training Programs

Here is a "dictionary" of programs you can use in your training. Each program provides several stages, a description of how the program is designed and what the goal is, and some example workouts.

Induction Phase - Beginner Program

Your "induction phase" will involve a significant amount of volume. For each set, you will recruit a range of muscle fibers. For each set, you will have a specified number of repetitions. The first half should be performed explosively with maximal acceleration while controlling the bar, and minimal time during the eccentric or negative phase. When you contract your muscle, for example, when you raise the bar during a bench press, you are in the concentric or positive phase. When you lower the bar, or "relax" your muscle, you are in the eccentric or negative phase. This latter phase can cause more micro-trauma to your muscle tissue, which may stimulate hypertrophy, but care must be taken not to overdo this. Your second half of repetitions will be a controlled tempo: 2 seconds to raise the bar, a full one second pause, 3 seconds to lower the bar, and full one-second pause, and then the next repetition. Note that there is no pause between the different halves.

For example, if you are designated 30 reps for bench press, you will perform 15 explosive reps (accelerate the bar up as quickly as possible but under control, then lower it quickly without allowing it to bounce off your chest) followed immediately by 15 controlled reps to complete the set.

Volume: moderate
Intensity: low
Tempo: explosive, 3121

IUV - Upper Body Vertical

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 10 minutes.
2. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your upper body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Military Press	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Wide-grip pull-downs	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Lying triceps extensions	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Arnold press	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Narrow-grip reverse-grip pull-downs	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Triceps push-downs	20	explosive, 3121	minimal

5. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

IL - Legs

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 10 minutes.
2. Perform your lower body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your lower body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Squat	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Stiff-legged dead-lift	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Standing calf raise	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Leg extension	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Leg curl	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Seated calf raise	20	explosive, 3121	minimal

5. Perform your lower body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

IUH - Upper Body Horizontal

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 10 minutes.
2. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your upper body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Bench Press	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Narrow-grip cable rows	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Standing barbell or EZ bar curls	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Dumbbell decline flyes	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Bent-over rows	20	explosive, 3121	minimal
   Standing hammer curls	20	explosive, 3121	minimal

5. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

Holistic Phase - Advanced Program

A holistic workout is an extremely high volume workout. It is targeted to fatigue the entire muscle. A holistic workout will stress both your physiological and neurological systems. For this reason, you are given two (2) weeks to fully recover from a holistic workout. A moderate workout is provided between those two (2) weeks to stimulate the muscle while allowing full recovery.

The holistic workout is comprised of mega-sets. Each mega-set is performed with no rest (except to strip off weights). There 1 minute rest between mega-sets. A mega-set has three (3) distinct phases:

1. Low rep, explosive tempo - targets fast-twitch muscle fiber
2. Moderate rep, moderate tempo - targets general hypertrophy
3. High rep, slow tempo - targets slow-twitch muscle fiber

This "spectrum" of variation will not only burn plenty of calories, but will provide stimulus for muscle growth as well. The suggested "drop percentage" between mini-sets (i.e. from the low rep to the moderate rep mini- set) is 20% then 30%. Try to load the weights so that you spend minimal time "stripping" the weights between mini-sets, and only rest between mega-sets. You should drop about 2.5 - 5 pounds between sets and increase that same amount each workout.

For example, you are prescribed 2 sets of chest press. Each mega-set contains a 5-rep mini-set, a 12-rep mini-set, and a 42-rep mini-set. The drop-off is 20% and 30%, and the progression is 5 pounds. What does this mean?

Pick a weight to start - we will use 100 pound as an example. The 2-rep rule still applies: if you cannot do more than 3 reps or you can do at least 7 reps on the first set, it is time to raise or lower the initial weight. The workout would look like this:

• 5 reps @ 100 pounds, strip off 20% (20 pounds)
• 12 reps @ 80 pounds, strip off 30% (25 pounds)
• 42 reps @ 55 pounds, rest for 1 minute
• The progression is 5 pounds, so the next set would be:
• 5 reps @ 95 pounds, strip off 20% (20 pounds)
• 12 reps @ 75 pounds, strip off 30% (20 pounds)
• 42 reps @ 55 pounds, complete the set
• Your next workout would begin with 105 (100 pounds + progression weight of 5).

Volume: high
Intensity: full range
Tempo: variable

HUV - Holistic Upper Vertical

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 10 minutes.
2. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your upper body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Smith military press	5	explosive	minimal
   Smith military press	12	211	minimal
   Smith military press	42	321	1 m
   Smith military press	5	explosive	minimal
   Smith military press	12	211	minimal
   Smith military press	42	321	1 m
   Smith military press	5	explosive	minimal
   Smith military press	12	211	minimal
   Smith military press	42	321	1 m
   Wide-grip pull-downs	5	explosive	minimal
   Wide-grip pull-downs	12	211	minimal
   Wide-grip pull-downs	42	321	1 m
   Wide-grip pull-downs	5	explosive	minimal
   Wide-grip pull-downs	12	211	minimal
   Wide-grip pull-downs	42	321	1 m
   Wide-grip pull-downs	5	explosive	minimal
   Wide-grip pull-downs	12	211	minimal
   Wide-grip pull-downs	42	321	1 m
   Bench-dips	5	explosive	minimal
   Bench-dips	12	211	minimal
   Bench-dips	42	321	1 m
   Bench-dips	5	explosive	minimal
   Bench-dips	12	211	minimal
   Bench-dips	42	321	1 m
   Bench-dips	5	explosive	minimal
   Bench-dips	12	211	minimal
   Bench-dips	42	321	1 m

5. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

ML - Moderate Leg

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 15 minutes.
2. Perform your lower body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your lower body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Leg extensions	12	211	1 m
   Leg extensions	12	211	1 m
   Leg curls	12	211	1 m
   Leg curls	12	211	1 m
   Seated calf raises	12	211	1 m

5. Perform your lower body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

HUH - Holistic Upper Horizontal

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 10 minutes.
2. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your upper body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Decline barbell bench	5	explosive	minimal
   Decline barbell bench	12	211	minimal
   Decline barbell bench	42	321	1 m
   Decline barbell bench	5	explosive	minimal
   Decline barbell bench	12	211	minimal
   Decline barbell bench	42	321	1 m
   Decline barbell bench	5	explosive	minimal
   Decline barbell bench	12	211	minimal
   Decline barbell bench	42	321	1 m
   Narrow-grip cable rows	5	explosive	minimal
   Narrow-grip cable rows	12	211	minimal
   Narrow-grip cable rows	42	321	1 m
   Narrow-grip cable rows	5	explosive	minimal
   Narrow-grip cable rows	12	211	minimal
   Narrow-grip cable rows	42	321	1 m
   Narrow-grip cable rows	5	explosive	minimal
   Narrow-grip cable rows	12	211	minimal
   Narrow-grip cable rows	42	321	1 m
   Preacher curls	5	explosive	minimal
   Preacher curls	12	211	minimal
   Preacher curls	42	321	1 m
   Preacher curls	5	explosive	minimal
   Preacher curls	12	211	minimal
   Preacher curls	42	321	1 m
   Preacher curls	5	explosive	minimal
   Preacher curls	12	211	minimal
   Preacher curls	42	321	1 m

5. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

MUV - Moderate Upper Vertical

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 15 minutes.
2. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your upper body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Arnold press	12	211	1 m
   Arnold press	12	211	1 m
   Narrow-grip reverse-grip pull-downs	12	211	1 m
   Narrow-grip reverse-grip pull-downs	12	211	1 m
   French press	12	211	1 m

5. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

HL - Holistic Lower

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 10 minutes.
2. Perform your lower body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your lower body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Squat	5	explosive	minimal
   Squat	12	211	minimal
   Squat	42	321	1 m
   Squat	5	explosive	minimal
   Squat	12	211	minimal
   Squat	42	321	1 m
   Squat	5	explosive	minimal
   Squat	12	211	minimal
   Squat	42	321	1 m
   Smith lunge	5	explosive	minimal
   Smith lunge	12	211	minimal
   Smith lunge	42	321	1 m
   Smith lunge	5	explosive	minimal
   Smith lunge	12	211	minimal
   Smith lunge	42	321	1 m
   Smith lunge	5	explosive	minimal
   Smith lunge	12	211	minimal
   Smith lunge	42	321	1 m
   Standing calf raise	5	explosive	minimal
   Standing calf raise	12	211	minimal
   Standing calf raise	42	321	1 m
   Standing calf raise	5	explosive	minimal
   Standing calf raise	12	211	minimal
   Standing calf raise	42	321	1 m
   Standing calf raise	5	explosive	minimal
   Standing calf raise	12	211	minimal
   Standing calf raise	42	321	1 m

5. Perform your lower body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

MUH - Moderate Upper Horizontal

1. Perform your favorite cardiovascular warm-up for 15 minutes.
2. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 10 seconds each.
3. Perform your upper body control drills. Perform 10 reps each.
4. Perform the following workout ...
   

   Exercise	Reps	Tempo	Rest
   Dumbbell flyes	12	211	1 m
   Dumbbell flyes	12	211	1 m
   One-armed dumbbell rows	12	211	1 m
   One-armed dumbbell rows	12	211	1 m
   Seated dumbbell curl (palms up)	12	211	1 m

5. Perform your upper body stretches. Hold for 15 seconds each.

This is an excerpt from the 153-page Training Encyclopedia. In addition to many more pre-configured workout plans, the encyclopedia contains illustrated guides to stretching, control drills, and exercises. It also includes a 3-month sample workout plan with resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning, and a "tear sheet" for each of the 84-days that describes exactly how to perform the workouts for the given day. This book is included as a bonus gift when you purchase Become the Journey: A Transformation Guide today.

6. Nutrition: Have a Healthy Halloween by Jeremy Likness

What do proper nutrition and Halloween have in common? Health! That's right. For many people, Halloween means fun, costumes, and candy. These three items tie directly into health. A successful physique transformation will address all three - fun, candy, and the costume you wear!

Halloween is a fun holiday. Children get excited because they can dress up as their favorite characters, wander the streets and acquire - yes! Candy - the ultimate prize. Some are happy to come home with small, plastic pumpkins loaded with treats, while others actually tote around pillowcases weighing several tons from the weight of their treasure. Even adults use this occasion to throw parties and celebrate the start of the Holiday Seasons.

A successful physique transformation must be enjoyable as well. Don't get me wrong - there are many sacrifices that you must make, but in the end you'll find that what you formerly thought you were giving up, was something you never needed in the first place. You won't miss it! So why do many people get frustrated with physique transformations, and stop having fun?

Common Problems With Halloween

The most common problem I see is with nutrition. The notion of eating bland chicken breast and broccoli for the rest of your life is rather bleak, and can dampen anyone's enthusiasm to transform. Fortunately, eating healthy does not mean eating boring foods!

My wife has some great recipes she uses to "spruce" things up - Cajun spices that she rubs in our grilled tilapia, lime juice and garlic marinade for our chicken, and meatloaf made with ground buffalo, eggs, and oatmeal. There are tons of resources on the web that provide exciting recipes loaded with all natural ingredients. If your budget permits, there are even some great hot breakfast dishes and soup products that are 100% natural, organic, loaded with fiber, protein, and quality carbohydrates.

Keep in mind that just because you don't enjoy something now, doesn't mean that you can't learn to love it. I hated seafood and refused to touch anything that came from the water when I met my wife. I kept an open mind, and she began preparing me dishes with milder seafood and loaded them with tasty spices. With time, I grew to enjoy those dishes and we moved on to more "fishy" items. Believe it or not, after just a few years, I now love seafood - I even find myself ordering it for my free meals!

Another complaint is finding time to workout. Research shows us that people who workout in the morning stick to their routine more often than people who workout later in the day. Some also believe that working out first thing in the morning is critical for fat loss. I disagree! While I encourage my clients to try working out in the morning as well, I believe it is more important to train when you will consistently make your appointment and have the most energy.

But what if you can't workout in the morning? If you see each morning as some horrible chore and are depressed when you have to drag yourself out of bed, do you really think this is something you'll be doing for life? I don't. I encourage people to try to change their habits and learn to enjoy it, but some people are just plain not morning people. Sometimes their schedule won't permit it. So when a client says, "Hey, I have more energy in the evening - I put so much more into my workouts and look forward to them." What do I say? "Go for it!" If it's fun, you're more likely to stick with it. I'd rather see someone exercise in the evening when they have energy and are excited about it, than force them into a morning routine that may eventually turn them away from a healthy lifestyle altogether!

Another aspect of Halloween is - yes, you guessed it! Candy. Lots of it. This is the perfect example of the key to a successful transformation: nutrition! Most people have no problem getting to the gym and performing their cardio and resistance training, regardless of how much they enjoy it (or love to hate it). But the nutrition? This is the true struggle. Those "unauthorized foods" are always lurking around the corner, waiting to jump out at you.

Halloween is the perfect example - after that pillowcase comes into the house, what happens to the candy? Hopefully, after a few parcels are sorted out and consumed, anything left over makes it to, well, the trash. Many people attach food to emotions and social occasions. Part of having a successful transformation is learning that food is simply fuel for your body. Sure, you can still enjoy Halloween candy and Thanksgiving feasts, but choose before what you are going to indulge upon, then choose to eat healthy and live healthy outside of those meals. It is a about a choice for health ... one that is critical and will pay off in the end.

Tips For Enjoying A Healthy Halloween

• Take in fewer carbohydrates throughout the day. This will deplete glycogen so that your "treats" are more likely to re-supply your muscles than get stored as fat.
• Train intensely after having a few low carbohydrate meals to further deplete glycogen stores.
• Save those treats for post-workout. Have a protein shake with your favorite candies on the side!
• Have a meal replacement shake or some other, healthy meal, before sampling the candy. With your appetite appeased, you are less likely to gorge and go overboard on the treats.
• Avoid taking coffee in conjunction with your treats, as coffee combined with sugar may increase fat storage.

The final, most fun part of Halloween is the costumes. The dressing up. I personally think we all have been wearing costumes, daily, at some point in our lives. I know I was. The 240+ pound man with a frown on his face sulking around in 42" slacks - that wasn't me! I was trapped somewhere inside that costume, and I didn't like it. Here's where the critical difference comes into play - for Halloween, we wear our costumes for a day. We know that we have a choice to take them off, and we do. What most people fail to realize is that they can take their "permanent" costume off, too!! That's right. If what you are wearing over your personality isn't comfortable, or doesn't fit, you do not have to live with it! Take it off. Make the change!

Visualization is important and helped me obtain my goals. One of the former champions for a contest sponsored by the supplement company EAS was a man by the name of Brad Wadlow. Brad had an amazing transformation. A friend of mine pasted my face over Brad's muscular body, and I printed this out and stuck it in my desk at work. I even mailed it as a joke to my parents, and at first, they thought I had really made that change myself! I sure fooled them, but here's the catch - I already picked out my next "costume".

That's right - the old, grumpy, overweight, tired me was getting uncomfortable - I wanted this new outfit to wear! So I'd look at the picture every day and visualize being in that body.

Eventually, I made the choice and I changed my costume. Now, I like the way it fits. Me? I'm the same person, but I've grown both on the inside and the outside. Inside, I learned to let go of emotions that ruled my life - depression, anger, envy, and other negative influences that were just dragging me down. This inner change gave me the strength, faith, and belief to realize that I am in control - and so, I slowly changed the outside to a more comfortable fit. Now I like the way I wear my body. When I mailed my parents my true "after" photos, the first thing they asked was - "Is this a joke? Who's body did you past your head on this time?" What a great feeling, to know it was my choice to wear the body in that picture!

Just as you can participate in Halloween, have loads of fun, and even collect your fair share of candy - you can change your costume as well. You have the power and simply need to make the choice. There are tons of resources available to provide direction - science has progressed rapidly in the field of sports nutrition and exercise, and more people than ever know the proper combination of nutrition, resistance training, and cardiovascular exercise required to obtain their peak physique. What they lack is the realization that they can do it - some still think they're stuck in their costume!

So these holidays, I encourage you to have fun. I encourage you to enjoy the treats that come with the holidays, but balance them with proper nutrition. More importantly, I ask that you consider the costume you are wearing now. Does it fit? Are you tired of it? If you want something new, then don't hope for it, don't ask for it, don't wish for it - make it happen. Make the choice, take that dream and turn it into a goal ... then achieve that goal!

7. Health News

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Regular Use Of Dietary Supplements Could Save $15 Billion

Along with many industry experts, the company that I partner with believes that the consistent use of dietary supplements offers consumers long-term health benefits by reducing the incidence of certain debilitating health conditions. The results of a recent study provide evidence to support both the cost savings and quality-of-life benefits of specific nutritional supplements. The results, released September 22 by the Lewin Group, show that daily use of calcium could prevent 734,000 hip fractures and save $13.9 billion in health care costs over the next five years. Daily use of folic acid by women could prevent 600 cases of neural tube birth defects yearly, saving $1.3 billion in lifetime medical costs over five years. Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and saw palmetto supplements also showed substantial promise for improving health and quality of life and potentially reducing health care costs.

Jeffrey Blumberg, professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University stated "As our country faces an ever-growing crisis in health care, it is important to recognize the role that dietary supplements can play in reducing our burden of disease and the costs to manage it."

Mediterranean diet and healthy lifestyle add years to life

A Mediterranean diet is one rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains, and fats such as olive oil. The diet is moderate in red meat and dairy products. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association investigated the single and combined effect of Mediterranean diet, being physically active, moderate alcohol use, and nonsmoking on causes of death in elderly European men and women. During a ten-year follow-up, deaths from coronary heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and overall mortality were analyzed. In this study, the combination of healthy diet and lifestyle led to a 65% reduction in the overall death rate and more than 50% reductions in deaths caused by coronary heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Adherence to a Mediterranean style diet, coupled with a few healthy lifestyle habits, can add years of life even among individuals aged 70 to 90 years.

Low vitamin B12 levels increase birth defect risk

A recent study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology investigated B vitamins and homocysteine as risk factors for children born with spina bifida, a defect in the formation of the spinal cord. Researchers compared the vitamin B12 blood levels of 45 mothers and their children with spina bifida with those of 83 mothers and their healthy children. The researchers found that the levels of B12 in mothers whose children had spina bifida was significantly lower (21%) than the mothers with healthy children. These findings suggest that low maternal vitamin B12 status increases the risk of birth defects and that women in their childbearing years may benefit from vitamin B12 supplementation.

Broccoli compound inhibits breast cancer growth

In the September 2004 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, researchers report that sulforaphane (SUL), a compound found in broccoli and other vegetables from the cruciferous family, has the ability to disrupt cell growth in late stage human breast cancer cells in cell culture studies. Previous research has also shown a positive benefit in reducing colon cancer growth.

This is the first report to show how the naturally occurring plant chemical sulforaphane can inhibit late stages of the cancer process by disrupting components of the cell called microtubules.

In the United States, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. It is also the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, accounting for nearly one in every three cancers diagnosed. The results of this study may prove helpful in developing new breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

A Note on Pharmaceutical Grade Supplementation

It seems every day a news headline flashes by and demonstrates how powerful antioxidants are for general health. Unfortunately, most people are not well-educated regarding the benefits of multivitamins and therefore "settle" for far less than what their body deserves. Research is typically performed in a quality environment where the ingredients tested are high potency: when the research reports a specific amount, you can be certain that is well within the range of what was indicated. Are supplements that you take off a supermarket shelf subject to the same standard of quality? The answer is NO! The supplement industry is only loosely regulated, and many manufacturers choose to avoid quality control processes. Some use their own, proprietary techniques that are not verified by third parties. Often when they embrace what is known as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), they adhere to the "food" standard, which is far less demanding than the "pharmaceutical" standard. You can read more about these standards by visiting Current Good Manufacturing Practices and USP.org.

There is a great guide to multivitamins called the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle MacWilliams, B.Sc., M.Sc., FP. Lyle is a former Canadian Member of Parliament and Member of the Legislative Assembly for British Columbia. His book not only introduces the importance of antioxidants, but has several chapters explaining how they impact health. It covers the research behind vitamins and minerals. Most importantly, Lyle pulled together a panel of leading nutritionists (all doctors) to find the recommended levels for optimal health. This was called the "Blended Standard" and over 1000 multivitamins were compared against the standard. Only 500 made the cut, and of these, only 5 ranked in the 90th percentile or higher! Lyle published the scores for these top 500 in his book.

If your vitamin scored in the top 10%, that is fantastic! Congratulations for taking steps to protect your health - the monthly investment in a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin is, in my opinion, a true health insurance policy. If your multivitamin is not superior quality, or if you are not currently taking a multivitamin, then I encourage you to read this to appreciate the value of the multivitamins that I sell (it took me four years to find a company with this level of quality and integrity), and then contact me or call toll-free 1-888-472-2829 to place your order and get started right away! Your health is precious, and I would not ask you to invest in something so important without offering the opportunity risk-free. Our products adhere to pharmaceutical-grade GMP, come with a potency guarantee that what is on the label is in the bottle, and are backed by a 100% 30-day money-back guarantee.

8. Motivation: Transforming Bad Habits by Brian Tracy

Your habits have been developed from early childhood as the result of things that you have chosen to do, or not to do. Your entire life is the result of your past choices and decisions. And like all of us, you probably have some bad habits that have held you back from your true potential. But here’s the good news: Since you are always free to choose, you can make new choices and decisions today that will determine what happens to you in the future.

One of your main objectives in life is to develop new habits and make them your masters, while at the same time overriding and setting aside old habits that may be interfering with your progress. You have two major types of habits. You have habits that revolve around your desires and you have habits that revolve around your fears. The habits that revolve around your desires for health, happiness, financial independence, and success are life-enhancing. They are the habits that have brought you the success you enjoy today. The habits that revolve around your fears, on the other hand, act as brakes on your potential. They hold you back. They interfere with your success. They trip you up on a regular basis. They cause you to sell yourself short and settle for far less than your potential.

Dr. Martin Seligman, in his book, Learned Optimism, wrote about the chief psychological phenomenon of modern life. He called it “learned helplessness.” Based on his 25 years of research, he discovered that virtually every person has one or more areas where they feel helpless and unable to do something that they really want to do.

Seligman’s research demonstrated how animals can be trained to feel that they are helpless. In one example, he put a dog into a cage with a glass wall in the middle that separated the dog from a bowl of food. The dog was hungry and tried to get at the food but kept banging his nose on the glass. After several hours, Seligman removed the glass. And what happened then? The dog, who was still hungry, sat only a few inches away from the food and never even attempted to eat it. The dog had learned to feel helpless. The had become so convinced that he was incapable of getting to the food that even when the obstacles were removed, he just sat there with his stomach growling.

There are dozens of experiments like this. In every case, it is clear that animals, and human beings for that matter, learn to feel helpless. They develop habits of thought that hold them back from reaching their full potential.

If someone were to tell you that you could learn to type 30, 40, or 50 words per minute by taking a typing course and practicing an hour each day for the next few months, you would shrug your shoulders and say, “Of course!” Everybody knows that you can acquire a particular physical skill by learning how it is done and then repeating it over and over again until it becomes automatic.

But when it comes to mental habit patterns, most people are a little baffled. They don’t realize that you can learn mental habit patterns by following exactly the same process that you would use to learn physical habit patterns. And mental habit patterns will have a far greater impact on your life and happiness than any physical habit pattern ever could.

Once you have recognized the old, negative habit patterns that do not serve your purposes, you can determine what new habit patterns you would like to adopt. Begin this process by looking around and determining the people that you admire the most, both living and dead. Ask yourself: What qualities do they have? Which of their characteristics do you most wish to have for yourself? Then make a plan to incorporate those ideal habits into your own character and personality.

You know that you can shape a piece of clay into any desired form. You can also shape your own character and personality by simply deciding to do so. I won’t say that it is easy. Changing your beliefs and attitudes about yourself is one of the most difficult undertakings you will ever face. But it is definitely possible and achievable if you dedicate the necessary time and effort.

How long does it take to develop a new habit pattern? It depends on how complex the habit pattern is. You can develop a simple habit pattern in 14 to 21 days. For example, if you want to begin getting up half an hour earlier so that you can plan and organize your day, it might take just two to three weeks to develop the habit. If you want to develop a new habit pattern of behavior that does deeper into your character, it might take several months or even a year or more. The most important point is that, no matter how long it takes, the end result is achievable if you are really determined.

The habits of success have been studied by the great thinkers and philosophers for at least 2,500 years. After personally studying the subject for more than 30 years, I have found that the very best people have the very best habits. Based on these findings, I have identified seven habits that you need to develop if you want to perform at your very maximum in everything you do.

The first is goal orientation. You need to become a habitual goal setter, and dedicate yourself to working from clear, written goals every day of your life.

The second habit you need to develop for success is result orientation. Result orientation is made up of two practices. The first is the practice of continuously learning so that you become better at what you do. The second practice is that of time management, which means setting very clear priorities on what you do and then concentrating single-mindedly on the most valuable use of your time.

The third major habit you need to develop is that of action orientation. This is really the most important habit for material success. It is the ability to get on with the job and get it done fast. Fast tempo in whatever you do is essential to your success. You need to overcome procrastination, push aside your fears and launch 100% toward the achievement of your most important goals. The fourth habit you need is people orientation. This is your decision to cultivate within yourself the habits of patience, kindness, compassion, and understanding. Virtually all of your happiness in life will come from your ability to get along well with other people. And getting along well with other people is based on a set of habits that you have learned, or failed to learn, from childhood. But it is never too late to become a wonderful human being in your relationships with other. The more you practice being a truly excellent person in your relationship with others, the more you will internalize those qualities and actually become that person.

The fifth habit you need for great success is health orientation. This means that you must make a conscious effort to eat the right foods in the right proportions. You must exercise on a regular basis, continually using every muscle and joint of your body to keep it young and fit. And finally, you must have regular habits of rest and recreation that will enable you, in combination with diet and exercise, to live a long, full life. Remember, your health is the single most important thing you have, and it is completely dependent upon the habits you develop with regard to the way you live.

The sixth habit is an orientation toward honesty and integrity. In the final analysis, the character you develop as you go through life is more important than virtually anything else. Honesty means that you practice the “reality principle” in everything you do. You are completely objective with yourself and with the world around you. You set very clear values for yourself and you organize your life around your values. You develop a vision for yourself and then you life your life consistent with your highest ideals. You never compromise your integrity or peace of mind for anyone or anything. This attitude of honesty will enable you to enjoy all of the other success habits that you are developing.

The seventh habit, the one habit that guarantees all the others, is that of self-discipline. Your ability to discipline yourself, to master yourself, to control yourself, goes hand in hand with success in every area of life.

My favorite definition of self-discipline comes from Elbert Hubbard. He said, “Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.” Every one of these habits, goal orientation, result orientation, action orientation, people orientation, health orientation, honesty, and self-discipline¾can be developed. The following is a seven step method you can use to internalize any habit or group of habits that you want to make a permanent part of your character and personality.

1. Decide clearly on the new habit. Write it down as a goal in the form of a present tense, personal, positive affirmation. For example, if you want to develop the habit of self-discipline, you write, “I am an extremely well-disciplined individual in everything I do.”
2. Repeat your affirmation as often as possible, and with as much enthusiasm and conviction as possible. The more times you repeat this command, the more likely it is that your subconscious mind will ultimately accept it and begin to adjust your thoughts, words, and behaviors to be consistent with it.
3. Visualize yourself as if you already had the new habit pattern. Imagine yourself as already being exactly the person that you want to become in the future. Remember, your subconscious mind is activated and programmed by mental pictures. All improvement in your life and character begin with an improvement in your mental pictures. Use visualization on a regular basis in conjunction with your positive affirmations.
4. Emotionalize the affirmation and the visualization. Take a few minutes each day to actually experience the feeling of being the excellent, outstanding human being that you have decided to become.
5. Launch into your new habit with conviction. Assume the role, acting as if you had been hired to perform this role in a movie or play. The more you behave exactly as if you already had the habit, the more you actually become the person that you desire to be.
6. Tell others that you have decided to develop this habit. When you tell others, you motivate and encourage yourself. You also force yourself to consistently act in accordance with your new resolutions because you know that others are watching.
7. Continually review your progress on a day-to-day basis. When Benjamin Franklin developed his own process for character formation, he would review his behavior every single day to see if he was living consistent with the values that he had determined were important. You can do the same thing. At the end of every day, do a brief recap of your behavior during the day relative to the values and habits you are trying to develop. Give yourself points when you are strong, and be patient with yourself when you slip from time to time.

The most important keys to developing new habit patterns are patience, determination, and persistence. When you begin to change yourself, you will find that it is not particularly easy. But it is possible if you continue to work at it.

You can take complete control over the shaping of your character and personality, and everything that happens to you in the future, by making the decision, right now, to define and develop the habits that will lead you to great success. And when you develop the habits possessed by other successful people, you will enjoy an equal, if not greater, level of success.

Brian Tracy is a leading authority on personal and business success. As Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, he is the best-selling author of 17 books and over 300 audio and video learning programs. Copyright © 2001 Brian Tracy International. All Rights Reserved. Webmasters: Add This Article To Your Site.

9. Business Development: Financial Independence by Jim Rohn

Shortly after I met my mentor he asked me, "Mr. Rohn, how much money have you saved and invested over the last six years?" And I said, "None." He then asked, "Who sold you on that plan?"

It is better to be a lender than a spender.

To become financially independent you must turn part of your income into capital; turn capital into enterprise; turn enterprise into profit; turn profit into investment; and turn investment into financial independence.

Financial independence is the ability to live from the income of your own personal resources.

If you depend on your company to take care of your retirement, your future income will be divided by five. Take care of it yourself, and you can multiply your future income by five.

I remember saying to my mentor, "If I had more money, I would have a better plan." He quickly responded, "I would suggest that if you had a better plan, you would have more money." You see, it's not the amount that counts; it's the plan that counts.

If you were to show me your current financial plan, would I get so excited by it that I would go across the country and lecture on it? If the answer is no, then here's my question: "Why not"? Why wouldn't you have a superior financial plan that is taking you to the places you want to go?

I used to say, "Things cost too much." Then my teacher straightened me out on that by saying, "The problem isn't that things cost too much. The problem is that you can't afford it." That's when I finally understood that the problem wasn't "it" – the problem was "me."

The Bible says that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. It doesn't say that it is impossible!

These quotes are by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to www.jimrohn.com. Excerpted from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn. Copyright © 1994 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.

Editor's Note: If you are interested in pursuing your own financial independence, take a look at this opportunity. This is not for everyone. If you keep an open mind and take a serious look, you might just find what you were dreaming for!

For more business development and motivation articles, visit MLM-Secret.com - the site dedicated to entrepeneurs!

10. Closing Thoughts

We are moving into the last quarter of the year. Here in beautiful South Dakota, the leaves have already changed colors. The tree in our front yard is a bright red, while the white birch trees that line the road are a shower of gold. The Black Hills hold a special beauty during this time of year because the evergreens stay green while the other trees turn into a myriad of colors that look like splashes of paint spread over the hillside. We recently drove through ancient Spearfish Canyon to behold this beautiful miracle of nature, because the colors are especially vivid near the creek that has carved away a valley so beautiful that some claim it rivals the Grand Canyon.

Nature is a grand example of how our lives are not constant, but subject to constant change. It is incredible to see how a simple stream can carve a canyon by carrying away one grain of sand at a time. We manipulate our phyisques this way, burning one fat cell at a time and building our strength one muscle fiber at a time. Spearfish Canyon is far from complete - the stream still carries away pebbles, and the landscape is constantly changing. This is why we come back and visit often, because it is the process of beauty that inspires us, not some perfect, final result. Are you living your life in procrastination because your desire for perfection has you questing for some final result? Do yourself a favor and step into the process. Learn to Become Your Best by living in the moment - embrace the process and Become the Journey. You deserve it!

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