A Great time to be Different

The Carols were playing; gift wrap was everywhere; and kids got to go to sleep as late as they all wanted to. It's one of the best things that any adult could ask for. Sure, we'll never have enough money to do what we want to do, but all in all being with the ones that you care the most about is something to marvel.

Growing up I have received big gifts, little gifts, and all of the sizes in between. The strange thing about it was that I could never remember those gifts, but I could remember who was there. Just being there was what it was always about for me. To tell you the truth I could have cared less about receiving any gifts at all. It was nice to get some things, but it was just STUFF. Stuff that would be temporary. Looking back there are clothes that I have outgrown, toys I have broken, and jewelry that I've lost along the way.

It's amazing how I can remember the people that were around me during those times. I can remember the trips home from college and the weirdos that I saw on the Greyhound Bus along the way. I remember the kids that were once close to me that gave me rides to the stations. All of those things meant something to me that could never erase my mind. They were concrete memories. I can also remember the times that were not so good around the holidays. I still remember that feeling of not being around anyone when my finances were too tight to travel. But, those are the times that made me that much stronger. It made me battle tested! I was now a veteran of the life process. The hard times were necessary and there was nothing that was going to change that. They had to come. They needed to come. And I'm glad they came. There wasn't nothing more gratifying for me moving forward for better; or for worse. It was movement. The process of maturity that helped me develop. And I remember those people that gave me a couple dollars here and there along the way. Sometimes, it was just having someone help me get a load of laundry done.

Those were the true gifts to me. They were shorts visitors into my life that have had long lasting impact upon me. Sure you may not have had the holiday season you were dreaming about. It may have not been spent with the person you have envisioned. But, why not be the person that everyone wished they could be with? You be the gift. That's what Accurate Step is all about. We love being the ones that would love to be a gift to you. We are personable, dependable, and reliable to give you the honest truth with all of our interactions. I dare you to be the gift. Be the gift. And I believe that you will find yourself wanting to do it over. And over. And over again. Celebrate the holiday, but make sure celebration doesn't become a habit. Train yourself to be a gift to those that may come in contact with you.

Sometimes Being Busy is What We Need

I can remember my old band director reminding me. "Ahmad, if you need something done, ask someone who is busy." As I have grown older that statement could not have grown to be any more true. People ask me to do a lot and I am not one to always want to volunteer for a lot of things. But, if I don't do it. Who will? And if it's done by me, will they care as much to put in the effort. A Scripture that I have carried with me throughout my adult life is Colossians 3:23, "23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters". 

To insert this type of work effort into any of our lives will do more than give us greater value, but will make us do more meaningful and joyful work. I have practiced being so busy that I love being busy. I had a time in my life when I used to love to relax all of the time. Life was stagnant and there wasn't much motivation to complete the next task that was at hand. I want to keep taking naps; taking breaks; waiting for a later time to do something. 

I finally came to the place where I had to change some practices in my life. There had to be purpose; meaning; poise; and a prolific work ethic. I had to get busy. I thought about all of those hours that I wasted watching Netflix, Hulu, and just constantly being entertained. I wasn't producing, but I was constantly consuming. I wasn't thinking like a million bucks, but wanting to spend a million bucks. 

Whatever our calling is there has to be a higher purpose for your life. You may think you are busy now. But, what if you aren't busy enough? It may just be that you have a little more to give and haven't tapped into that source. Sure you can do. You just don't know, because you haven't tried. There is always plenty of opportunity to do something new. Start letting go of the self proclaimed restraints. Forget about not getting enough sleep. You don't fall right to sleep at bedtime anyway. Forget about over-training. You haven't went past the 4 sets before. The life you live is not a "one size fits all" type of contract. You are different for a reason. There is more to you than you really think. Do you know that the average human only taps into using 10% of their entire brain in their lifetime? 10 percent! The mind controls everything. Whenever there is more work to do, that means more meditation for me. It sounds counterproductive. But, when I get to work there is no one that can touch me, because my mind is geared for the task. The task you used to be an energy drainer. Now...it is my fueler. I can't wait for something to me think. It keeps me sharp. It keep me fluid and well-rounded. It's the new wave of conditioning. 

This is the caliber that Accurate Step is geared toward. Getting busy for our clients. We will never short change any one. If it takes a day and a half to get something corrected. It is no problem to go to great lengths to satisfy one customer. That is what we do. That is the standard. 

So if you are feeling sluggish. Do something crazy. Like go for a run or a long walk. You may find your new adrenaline rush! 

Be Accurate!  Keep pounding

Throw the Change Up!

It's October and you know what that means...yes the MLB World Series! It's the time of year where the weather gets a little bit colder and the two teams that have been training since March have survived long enough to see the fruits of their labor.

I have seen some amazing hitters in the playoff run, but even better pitchers. You need pitchers in the post season. It's the key to any successful postseason. I don't follow it nearly as much as I do basketball or football. But, there was something that I could see from every successful pitcher....they were all versatile. In other words, they were not just one trick ponies. As anyone that we would deem successful there was something about their ethic that made them different. Think about it. When Jordan developed his 3 point shot near the end of his career; he was unstoppable. Before then, he was just known as the driver to the hole with some sort of fancy dunk. Then came the post moves...the jumpers... then the three!

Then we had Randall Cunningham. Arguably the greatest athlete to ever play quarterback. He was known as a running quarterback...then, he threw a 100 yard pass in Giant Stadium! As if he couldn't surprise me anymore...he punts the ball over three quarters of the field! He just had range.

When I think of Eddie Murphy he started out in one genre..comedy. But, he worked so hard he began to play in dramas, then family movies. Not only did he act. But, he wrote and produced.

Could you imagine if they just stuck to only way to make a living? There is no way in the world. These guys knew that if they didn't add something to the mix; they would be short lived. Neither should you let that happen to you!

Life can be monotonous. We wake up. Go to work. Come home. Go to sleep. Repeat. Sounds pretty dull to me. So why not throw that change up? How about waking up earlier? Adding something to bucket list? Create a new goal? It doesn't have to be anything drastic. But, throw some change in there. Make everyday a FRIDAY. Living to just see the weekend is a horrible way to live. So get on with it! Sometimes I stay up late at night to pen novels. Yeah, I have an early morning, but I feel amped up after feeling so accomplished! So the morning drag doesn't affect me. I created something to get excited about. Accurate Step is designed to keep innovation going. We are constantly thinking of change ups and throwing strikes. So as the weekend approaches do something that you have never done before and show life your range!

How to Eliminate Excuses

I think we live in a world of endless excuses. There are those out there that are into almost everything when in conversation with others and they sound like the perfect person. Everyone's an expert on eating right...everyone's an expert on fitness. But, sometimes when I look at their appearance...I have to shake my head at times. The way they described their regimen as the greatest thing since sliced bread. It all sounded so eloquent and precise that I thought they may have eaten soy burgers from birth!

Then, when I happen to follow up with others it is a complete 180 from what I previously heard. Some people are just prone to speak a good game. That's why there are very few that achieve goals that are brought about. Sure, there are setbacks some days. But, that's part of being human. It's all about defeating yourself day in and day out. Fight those urges that tell you to sleep a little longer; I just need a little more rest; I deserve a cheat meal, etc. Get it out of your head now! That's just laziness trying to creep back into your system. There's no room for it. You have no room for laziness. If it came down to it today, what would you have to say about your life? You woke up. Went to work. Then went to sleep. BORING! Don't be that person. It's lame and not an exciting obituary for your kids to read.

As I continued to listen there was one common theme. These great things they boasted about wasn't a priority. Whenever you don't workout, do that business venture, or whatever it is. It's just that...it wasn't a priority. It reminds me of when I was younger and I had a bill to pay. So I would go out and get a job real fast to help offset the cost for my insane lifestyle I really couldn't afford.

I live by the Loose Screw Theory. There are some things that you just shouldn't care about. So what you didn't get enough sleep. Look at what you achieved being awake! Once I started pushing my limits I learned that I truly only need about 5 hours of sleep. Some days only 4! I have been getting so much done that I am on a lifetime high! There's no feeling like it. It will turn into an adrenaline rush that you would want to keep feeling over and over again. We Accurate Step would like for you to get that feeling too.

When it feels like everything is caving in...

I spoke with someone today who was on the edge. Not literally on the edge of anything. But, on the edge of life. He lost his son just a month ago; best friend within the week; and his mother was recently diagnosed with cancer. When it rains it pours and it felt like an avalanche to him. He doesn't want to do anything.

He was recently prescribed antidepressants to help himself sleep. But, it is not helping to no avail. The only thing he can do is go to work, go home, drink 2 beers, pop a pill, then go to sleep.

We all know that there is nothing good that can come out of this practice. Life is hard. I honestly don't think that it was projected to ever be easy. Some people don't believe in miracles. But, when I think about how fragile life is...whoever is moving around today is a walking miracle. There are over 6 million ways to die and there wasn't one that touched us as of yet.

Now just think about that...you are a miracle. You are here to do something great. There is no one that has your fingerprint to put on this world. No one can talk like you, walk like you, or even eat like you. You were made different for a reason.

It just happened to be raining outside and it was pouring. So my word to him was that even though it was raining. It meant that something was going to grow. I have never seen anything produced so beautifully without some sort of struggle. I was studying the Bible and I found the Greek word gymnazdo. It's where we get the word gymnasium from. It literally means to be stripped naked. Think about it. The gym is designed for us to struggle. The gym is designed for us to work on our weak spots. No matter what we do, the gym doesn't lie. If you are in there long enough there will be some weak points exposed. You can't wear the same clothes to work that you workout in. You have to change to get the maximum flexibility. Some may try to wear big clothes to cover muffin tops, etc. But, eventually you will have to look at yourself in the mirror for real progress....or not. There is something that needs to be said about being stripped naked. The gym as it is in life is there for us to not only struggle, but to power through. Of course, it's not easy. But, you are the miracle that is supposed to make it look that way. Enjoy the process of being molded into something new. Life's challenges are here for you to constantly evolve into someone new. If you are willing to take the risk of being constantly uncomfortable. I believe that you will be more successful than you have ever believed. Now get to work...Keep pounding.

When you are sick of being tired

We hear so much from people that they are tired of being fat. They are tired of living paycheck to paycheck. They are tired of looking at debt in the face.

I get it. Been there. Done that. Multiple times. There is nothing more demoralizing than living in the same rut year in and year out. The thing about it is that it doesn't have to be that way. We live in a robotic world. But it doesn't have to remain your way of thinking. There is a reason most successful people are referred to as being counter cultural. Being counter cultural doesn't mean that you stop looking at fashion trends, stop eating pizza, or not do the movies every now and then. It's simply changing your mind. Once your mind is changed it's over. There is nothing in the world that will be able to stop you.

Some examples are:
1. Not drinking every single week
2. Stop thinking that someone owes you something. The world could care less about your wants.
3. Stop doing the same things over and over and expecting different results
4. Mix up your daily routine. Instead of waking at 6am try waking at 430. You'll have more time to work. Do something that matters to YOU, and not have to worry about other people chipping away at your time. There won't be anyone awake to throw email traffic at you. No social media distractions, and no one to call you in the middle of a workout.

I know what you are saying. "But, I have class. But I have to work all day. I have kids to take care of." All of those are valid EXCUSES not to do the extra. You have to keep in mind that Kobe was in the gym numerous times for 8 hours. 8 HOURS! ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS. I can't sleep 8 sometimes and he was working.

One thing my father taught me growing up was, "everyone appreciates hard work, no matter where you finish".

I was reading about this famous Special Forces giy who also was a UFC fighter. Before working a 12 hour day he would have already put in a 2 hour workout. His motto was that he wanted to be fit to fight. Any time. Anywhere. That 's the attitude we all need to have . Yes we are going through this thing called life. It calls for us to get tough with it. It may require working 2 jobs for a time period. It may require late nights, early mornings, no bar, no parties, and no television. But you have to ask yourself. "Did I make myself the priority today?" And if so, "How?" Keep pounding....Accurate Step!

But I'm too tired to work out! I'm on vacation!!

There I was... traveling on vacation and no destination in sight. The road is starting to get blurry and all I can think about is how good that bed is going to feel when I get there. The more I thought about the palm trees, pools, and fresh seafood. The more I felt like going to sleep at that steering wheel. I had to pull over and get some rest. I tried to get comfortable and I just couldn't get it right in the van. The kids were whiny and the highway food we packed was on empty. I wanted to drink more water, but that would make me stop more and prolong the trip. 

Then. Alas!!! I made it almost 12 hours later! Then we had to check in, get our food, and then the many trips back and forth to get all of the bags in. So this meant that I would need to help get the kids settled, fed, and then finally rest. Right? Wrong! 

Anyone will tell you that to promote energy you need to get moving. I have never been in a car when the heat or air conditioning worked best sitting still. Your body works the same way. Yes I was extremely exhausted and hungry. That's where your mind needs to be counter cultural. Meaning, get out of the leisure mindset. So what did I do? I did what I had to do and hit the gym! After all of the driving, unpacking, and a little fluid. I hit the gym! Was it a long workout? No! It was an effective one. I ran 20 minutes on the hotel treadmill on a very high incline....very fast. Until I couldn't take it anymore. The high intensity took me to sweating in about 7 minutes. Most workouts will take me 15 minutes just to warm up. But, I was on a time schedule to meet family so I squeezed it in. 

The feeling after was complete rejuvenation! I felt like a brand new man and I was ready for 11 more hours of family fun. I felt accomplished so psychologically I was hyped like no other. We went on boats, saw dolphins, and I felt like a responsible adult of taking care of myself. Heck, I even went and raced my teenage son in the pool a few times before bed. 

Here are the benefits:

1. Extra energy

2. A Psychological Boost

3. A great time with family of me being actively involved and not cranky

4. QUALITY SLEEP: Never underestimate how exercise will give you quality sleep. Not just lying in bed rolling for eight hours. But, being out cold for 4 hours will give you all of the energy you need for the next day. The fountain of youth is upon us!

Check out this informative study here.  #TNDO