Beat The Masses

X FACTOR

Certain individuals seem to have that special quality that makes them stand out from the crowd. They are either born with a natural ability/edge over others or strive passionately for their life's calling. 

These individuals are very rare. In the billions of people on this planet, those that 'make it' are in a very small minority. But what's making it? Maybe it's as a sporting celebrity or an actor. These people have fame and fortune, but they also have the stresses and problems that come from having too much time & money on their hands and the isolation/restrictions of being in the public eye. 

It's nice to have the money, but do we need that much to really have a good time? Can we still appreciate the small things in life when everything can be easily obtained through financial wealth? And for those with so much money, do they worry about losing the money too much or strive to get more rather than enjoy spending it?

Be The Best Of The Rest

Life is hard work. It's enough effort trying to get the work sorted that really needs to get done. Once we factor in family, friends, jobs, colleagues, paying the bills and having enough energy left for keeping everything in order without getting stressed, so we can't enjoy the time that's left remaining. We can see that it's a fine balance which often leaves less time for being really present in the moment to enjoy it all. 

We're constantly striving to keep our heads above water and stay up with the herd. The thing is, something most are not aware of, is that most of the herd are working with just a fraction of their capabilities. They think things are hard, but they are barely trying when compared to some of the grafters at the top. That's because they tend to do just about enough to stay up with the masses.

While we may never have the focus and drive to be in the top 1% of golden 'n' gifted achievers - we needn't try that hard anyway. We can still get the perks. We can still take a share of the cream. We just have to stay ahead of the rest of the herd and that means working just that little bit harder than the majority do.

It's relatively easy as it turns out. We just need to get up a bit earlier, plan a bit sooner, endure a bit longer and aim a bit higher. Most of the herd front runners will be happy in their position. The next rows will be looking at the front for a measure of effort and content to take second or third row. So, there won't be that much competition if we go for something beyond the norm. And that sweet spot between super and average achievers, is arguably where the best pickings are, relatively open, free, just a short distance away from the stampede of the pack and safe distance from the scramble of the elite.  

Continue Onwards

PUSH THROUGH FOR BIGGER REWARDS

I've been feeling a little below par the last couple of days. I've been having some fun - so maybe the focus has dropped a little... Truth be told, the previous couple of weekends have been a little boozy, so I'm a tad run down, tired and struggling to find motivation. My resolve is at a low ebb when it needs to be strong. Now is a key time for me to step up working towards something new and great. The last 6 months have all been in the right direction for me to do this and there's still a lot more work to do if I'm going to get there. It's just that the goals, which are temporarily out of sight, don't feel within my grasp at this moment in time. But, I know in my heart, that they will be again once I turn the next corner and if I choose to stay on this right path.

Looking this morning at great feats others have achieved in their lives, I've stumbled across another apt post from James Clear - someone who's been writing a blog consistently for 2 years and who's become somewhat of an inspiration for me (and many others). Yet again, his writing has come at the perfect time to help nudge me on when I could so easily have downed tools this morning and allowed my goals to slip.

When Success Is Just Around The Next Corner
It's great having someone to nudge us on/motivate us - but we can do this ourselves too. We just need to remind ourselves of why continuing onwards will bring the solutions and this can easily be achieved by simply revisiting a time of where we've had our previous successes.

I've just been thinking back to the past moments when I've pushed through in times of doubt. And there's been quite a few instances jumping to mind where I've convinced myself and others to keep going that bit further. So many people in this situation don't make it. they don't push on nd don't have the success to fall back on and remind them. Just knowing I can be in that other small group that do push on - spurs me on every time to attempt success. It's funny how it always seems so hard to do at the time yet so insignificant looking back after the event has finished. And it's also worth remembering that it's always those extra pushes past the comfort zone that make for the best rewards.

Challenge Signifies A Reward
I've just realised that this moment in time is the greatest moment to be in! Already, my mood has lifted, because I know how it feels to go on when your mind or others tell you to stop or turn back. I've been here before. It's amazing how much sweeter the successes feels pushing on to the end when you falsely believe you can't go on any further. It's that last little bit between being an almost made it - to the person that's crossing the finish line, where the greatest benefits are found in everything we do. We all potentially have the strength to apply ourselves that extra bit, to make that last push towards the goal which is out of sight, but so close and just around the next corner.

Digging For Information

WINNING IN THEATRE LAND 

We live in a very culture rich City. London holds many world class performances and plenty of provincial theatres, showing both classic and obscure productions in glorious old theatres and smaller, more intimate spaces.

Lots of Londoners never visit the theatres and it's become an expensive extravagance to catch the west end shows - as they aim to lure the tourists in at the premium tickets prices. Understanding how the tickets work, where the best value seats are and how to dig for the right information, helped get us two decent premium seats at the last showing of Miss Saigon tonight for just £20 each instead of having to pay £75-£150. I love the theatre and we often go to smaller theatres and pay £8-£15. It means we go a lot more to the smaller shows than the larger ones. But, now I've learned to dig a little deeper to get better valued quality seats even at the major shows.

I call the theatre box office number direct (finding it using SayNoto0870), rather than using the other so-called cheap theatre ticket offices in and around town (over double the price today and not very good seats either). The key to getting the premium seats is to ask the question 'are you sure there's no other cheaper tickets?' It's surprising how the theatres will try to hide the special deals as they really want to maximise on the ticket sales at the tourist prices. When you get told the time for last minute tickets - drop everything to get into the box office in time for these day price tickets, they are usually some of the best in the house. I shall always make the effort to do this in future.

I think this same method can be applied for many things in life. Don't accept the first offer and always put that extra effort in. If you have the courage to leave chance until the very last minute....you might be pleasantly rewarded with the results!

High Intensity Interval Training

SHOCK YOUR BODY

In the gym today, I witnessed some pretty sorry excuses for a work-out. What's the point of going? If you want to maintain a slim, toned physique and earn the right to consume a few alcoholic beverages on a Friday night without fear of bursting out of your jeans, then reading a paper whilst gently turning the legs on a gym bike, just ain't gonna cut it. The truth is - if you want to make a visit to the gym worth the time and money, you have to go through a bit of discomfort. It's meant to be tough. Otherwise, take a long walk, because it'll give you the same results, be more cost effective and the fresh air will be better for you.

H.I.I.T. or High Intensity Interval Training in long form, is becoming all the rage these days. It's essentially a form of exercise that shocks your body into the equivalent of a fight or flight state. Your heart rate is up for a few seconds while the limited energy reserves - the same ones used for getting you out of a tight spot and away from danger - are fired into action. This takes the body from 0-100% very quickly, followed by a recovery period where the reserves replenish while your heart and lungs catch up. It's certainly not something I'd say was enjoyable - you're not reading the sports section of your newspaper at this point! But it is only for very short bursts. Not only is this type of training good for pushing your aerobic levels up for fitness, it also improves recovery time and burns fat faster.

Granted - poodling along at a jog, slow cadence ride on a bike or at a comfortable level on the rower will still burn calories - albeit at a slower rate. The H.I.I.T. process is so effective that the body can effectively burn the same amount of calories a lot quicker and throughout the day - effectively giving desired results whilst allowing time for more pleasurable pursuits outside the gym.