Strength & Wisdom Journal part 9
Wake up, we NEED you!
In my most recent Strength & Wisdom Tribe video lesson, titled Effortless Success, I gave you a few examples of how to effectively remove the self-imposed mental roadblocks that have been holding you back from tackling your dreams. These roadblocks typically manifest themselves in the form of Fear, Doubt and Anxiety.
Let me tell you an honest story… Although I may present with a posture of solid self-confidence and purpose, I have battled with the sin of self doubt for my entire life. Still today, as you actively observe me shift my main focus in teaching, from the building of mere physical strength towards FULL personal development and the building of character and life strength, I have tremendous self doubt. (but from all the recent registrations for our new Strength & Wisdom Tribe membership, I think I am finally on the right path)
Tell me if this sounds familiar. Have you ever thought of a great idea for a new business or project that involves the enrollment of other people, then you think about or physically map out the entire plan… only to sit on it and never bring it to fruition?
I have done this COUNTLESS times. In fact, last weekend while packing up our belongings to move our growing tribe to a bigger “hut”, I found several old fitness and lifestyle manuals that I created over 4 years ago, that I never built up the balls to actually sell to people! — And here is the REALLY bad part… the information that was in these manuals are life changing! There was really some great stuff in these books, that I created, that were just sitting on a shelf in my daughters closet.
Why would anyone do this?
Why would someone be gifted with a great idea, talent, faculty or passion and just SIT on it… letting it collect dust?
Why wouldn’t they just get off their butts and bring their POWER to the world? — Serving perhaps millions of people with their gift!?!?
I personally think it is because of 2 nasty, insidious, little *sins that tackle us while we’re on our path towards creative servitude and SUCCESS.
*NOTE: Unlike how Christian conditioning has totally destroyed the root meaning of the word “sin”, where it is professed that sin is some sort of possession by “the devil” that makes us bad or “sinful”, I use it here in its original context derived from an Archery term meaning “to miss.” When I say “sin”, I simply mean that we’ve “missed” the point. We’re still good people, we just missed something and can always go back to correct it.
Like I mentioned in my last video, Fear and Doubt act as inhibitors that disallow God’s work to be completed through your hands. THIS is a very powerful paradigm to adopt!
God fulfills His work, His plans, His-tory through the hands of men!
When we begin to remove the focus from ourselves, when we stop asking “what will people think of me?”, or “what if I fail?”, and begin to consider that the seed that God has planted in you… whether it is to start your own coaching business, open a gym, begin writing novels, play the harp, become a stay-at-home mom (or dad) OR… begin a blog where you can share your stories, ideas and deepest convictions with your readers for the sole intention of seeing them take action and living up to their TRUE potential — it is Gods plan, not ours.
God loves beautiful, stronger bodies that are disease resistant. God loves football. God loves great stories and literature. God WANTS you to be home to care for your children, and God NEEDS you to share your wisdom and experiences with others in order to inspire them.
It is NOT about me. It is NOT about you… and if you ask God, it really isn’t about Him either.
God want you to SERVE his children. He wants all of the beautiful things described above, not for himself, but for us to share with one another.
When we let fear and doubt stop us from quitting a job that is unfulfilling in order to pursue our dream of opening a warehouse gym where we can train young athletes and build their character. When we ignore the “Still, Small Voice” within, that is urging us to pick up the guitar we once loved to play so joyfully, but “life” got in the way of it’s practice, we are not only letting ourselves down… we are letting God down and even worse, we are letting each other down.
When this becomes our habit we are no better than the apple tree in the orchard that yields no fruit. We are, for all intents and purposes, functionally useless. Perhaps the apple tree still creates shade
with its leaves, but it’s true function… is dead. It is functionally useless.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave when you die?
How do you want to be remembered by others, especially your loved ones?
Will they say that you were “a giver”? — You freely gave of your BEST parts? — Or did you let your BEST parts die and wither away like the once fertile buds of a now useless apple tree.
If you are stirred by what I am saying… then continue to THINK about it. Awareness effortlessly breeds change.
And when you Wake Up, we’ll still NEED you. 
Related posts:
Yes, I have had that happen to me, Elliott, and it has come to my attention again within the last week. And, I will start tonight, once I get home. Thanks for another confirmation!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Thanks John… re-starting is just as good, or better than starting because now you come with experience! Keep re-starting until you get it done
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God loves BASKETBALL too, brother. And the game has changed where you need football strength and power to compete. Great words. If you’re reading this, go back and re-read that.
ELLIOTT, KEEP DOIN’ WHAT YOU’RE DOIN’!!!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Thanks Dan… Basketball is pretty cool to.
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That was just purely amazing!
Great message, bro!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Thank you Jordan!
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Jordan
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
This is some life changing information. I am glad and grateful to here it.
Keep up the good work!
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That is some really good stuff, and it is very true… I can definately relate to what you are saying. It is time for me to check myself and pursue my dreams… Thank You Strongman for your words of Wisdom!!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
My pleasure Roland! I’m just doing what I was designed to do
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big e,
so glad i got my ass down to your place in december an went thru your warehouse gym course. i am fixing to really kick ass this summer when school lets out, but it really is not about kick ass business wise. it is really about removing ALL doubt in the game of LIFE and just doing what you know you where called to do. I want to thank you for helping me realize what i was put on this earth to do.
as always
house
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
MIke, you are destined for greatness via your service! Keep up the great work man.
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…and all the people said “AMEN” Awesome Elliott! Great content and delivery…stirring!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Amen.
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You keep blowing me away Elliot. I’m going to bookmark this post and read it everyday! I actually had the courage to leave a “good” job in the corporate world to pursue my dream in the health and fitness industry. My initial goal was to educate myself and ultimately start my own gym.
Self-doubt and fear reared it’s ugly head and I haven’t pursued my dream of owning a gym/fitness business. I’m realizing that I need to just go out and do the damn thing! It will be scary and nerve-racking, but I know it’s what I am meant to do.
Thank you for sharing!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Adam,
I once heard that if your goals don’t SCARE you… they’re not big enough. Keep doing “scary and nerve-racking” stuff.
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Thanks Elliot! I seem to have that exact problem. I get so many ideas, map them out, then after sleeping on it, seem to convince myself that it wasn’t worthwhile.
I guess we get those ideas planted in us for a reason in the first place hey? To fulfill our true purpose.
Elliot, I love the new blog, you are the modern day Arthur Saxon, Strength & Wisdom!
Also how did you go in school?
I reckon if your teachers came across this blog they will be blown away with your skills as a writer! It is truly moving and inspirational!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Luke,
Author Saxon!! That is quite the compliment… thank you.
I sucked in school… I took remedial reading and attending summer school for composition.
Thanks for the kind words Luke
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Wow,Elliott that was a serious wake up call, bless you man i needed to get my ass kicked, thanks!
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Elliott
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April 29th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Keep kicking ass Nestor!
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Great post, Elliott. Very resonating. I really look up to the work you’ve put into your business(s) and hope to achieve similar success in the future. I must open a warehouse gym to serve athletes. I have second guessed myself a couple times (not on my ability to train others/athletes, but the actual idea of being my own boss/owning a warehouse gym biz, etc), and continue to have a handful of doubters/naysayers that I should wait a couple years before I decide to embark on my own…
I was even discussing this exact topic today with someone who told me that I should wait…
I cannot wait. I must do everything in my power to make my lifelong dream a reality. I am scared, nervous, etc but I am more than ready to dominate and help athletes become better than ever.
Continue the inspiring posts, Elliott. Joining the warehouse gym business program was one of the greatest decisions I ever made and I plan on going back over every video again soon to absorb in everything and maybe catch a couple things I may have missed.
-John
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Elliott
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May 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
John – you’ve got EVERYTHING it takes to make your gym a success RIGHT NOW!… Dive right in man, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
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John Cortese
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May 2nd, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Thanks, Elliott!! That’s the plan. Spent the weekend at Bedros Keuilian’s Fitness Business Summit, so fired up to KILL IT. I took home a lot of good strategies and info; I can’t wait to begin the journey. Only about 5 weeks left of my college career, then it’s GO TIME.
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Elliott
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May 6th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Very cool! Please keep us posted with your successes and challenges John.
Wise words.. thanks for this small but hugely important bit of inspiration. People sometimes forget the purpose of their lives. This was a great reminder.
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Elliot I quit a corperate job at 31 years old to go back to college to get my exercise science degree to be a strength and conditioning coach. Talk about scary I had to sell everything I owned including a vehicle to follow God’s plan. I tell you it was a leap of faith i wasn’t sure I was ready to take. I like that you are getting onto the personal development side to because we need that more and more these days. I am from the east coast of Fla but going to school in OK. Hope to get over to talk with you when I get done with school and get back to FLA
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Elliott
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May 2nd, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Thanks Kenny! I appreciate your words and confirmation. Keep up the great work let me know when you are in my area
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Inspiring falls short, great job Elliot.
“What kind of legacy do you want to leave when you die?” definitely left me thinking.
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Elliott
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May 2nd, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Think… then ACT Franco! Keep up the great work man.
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Great post – always struggle with it. I am inspired by you, vinny d and even-esh thanks!
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Elliott
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May 2nd, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Thanks Dan!
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