I watch very little television these days.  After all, why would I?  There’s so little time and way too much bad news being televised.  Who needs it!   Every now and than however a show comes along that sparks my curiosity.

 A new “reality” program called, ’The Secret Millionaire’ on FOX network did just that.  The show features different “self absorbed” multi-millionaires who go completely undercover as an almost destitute person living at the poverty level.  The undercover millionaire is sent to a some remote poverty stricken area of the US to live for a full week with only a few welfare level dollars in his or her pocket. They have to find a job if they are going to make it. 

Their main objective is to find some poor unfortunate individual or organization worthy of help, then wright them a check for some fairly big bucks.  The total give away is in the area of $100,000.00 or more of their own money.  Although the show itself is tainted with an obvious philanthropy-for-profit undertone (which I have no real problem with) the end result was quite inspiring. 

I found myself having to wipe more than a few tears away from my eyes as I watched the faces of the people who were so desperately in need receive a check for a substantial amount of money.

This wasn’t a handout to people who have found themselves in dire straits as a result of alcoholic or drug abuse, but rather a helping hand for people who have chosen inspite of their own circumstances to stay in their communities and give back, contribute, and help others purely out of the goodness of their own heart.

When the show ended I was left with several questions and impressions not the least of which was how important money really is in helping others less fortunate. 

As good old Abe Lincoln once said, “The best way to help the poor is by not being one.”  What a gift it would be to be able to go out into the community and give back at that level. 

Then I asked myself how I can do more to help others with the time and gifts I already have at my disposal?  As a leader you need to ask yourself that same question.

Not only that but how can we do more to inspire others to do more as well.   I’m looking for your suggestions and solutions… let me know your thoughts about the show and about giving back.

Happy Holidays.

Bar none the number one fear I am hearing from the personal training community has to do with a declining client base in this tricky downward economy. That fear is a direct reflection of the economic climate itself. 

As much as I understand the damage that scarcity thinking and fear does to optimism and forward momentum even I have to admit that people do seem to have tightened up on their discretionary spending.  As we know most of our clients are of the misperseption that training is a luxury item.  And as a result your services may be on the block when considering spending cuts.

So what can we do about it?  Do we continue to do business as usual or do we honker down, tighten our belts, and brace for the worst?

Is your stratagy geared for success or survival?  Or have you chosen the ostrich style approach?

Share with us one tactic or your whole stratagy and I’ll send you my ‘Top 10 Success Tactics for Prospering in a Down Economy’

I want to here from you.

MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR –November 13th– and I will keep you posted about a very special teleseminar I am doing with motivational warrior, Aaron Huey. We’re going to be talking about what it means to take a leap of faith and what that giant leap is for you.

I promise this is one call you will not want to miss. As I say I will keep you posted so make sure you stop back and a few days. Or go to The Leap

1. Plan and Prepare:  Prepare your meals for the day the night before or that morning.  Know what you are going to eat and when.  Pack food in Tupperware and a cooler if you are to be away from home a good part of the day.  Any time you are caught unprepared and hungry you have a 97.9% greater chance of screwing up.

2. Eat 5-6 small meals per day:  Eating small meals every 2-3 hours keeps your blood sugar stable and keeps you from going into that “Ill eat anything in sightâ€� hunger mode.  If you have ever dug for change while eyeing the junk food vending machine you know what I’m talking about.  You cannot afford to miss scheduled meals; doing so will set your metabolism into a confused (more…)