90 Day Wonder Q3 2010

1) What have I done in the last 90 days?

- Worked on improving my home & work balance.

- Helped add 20-30 clients to Fitness 121

- Read 2 Books "The Magic of Thinking Big" & "The Secret" (re-read)

- Returned to World Class Shape. Well at least I'm the fittest guy in Town!

- Phased in more Blue Sky time on Wed's.

- Wrote a Testimonial for Kelli Corosanti's NEW Book!

- Got up to bat in LIFE & BUSINESS and am currently batting .500

Lesson: You will make mistakes have some success. Some may criticize you, pay them no mind - what's important is that you 'step-up to the plate' when called upon! That is SUCCESS my friends!

2) What is my biggest issue/obstacle?

- Signing up for any kind of event (nothing is exciting, except IRONMAN possibly?)

- Managing the "growth" of our business.

- Refine/Define my role at Fitness 121 over the next several years.

- Budgeting my "time" better; Balancing all things while I'm at it!

- Remembering that 'mistakes' lead to lessons; and lessons lead to wisdom.

3) What will I do/accomplish in the next 90 days?

- Organize and Host MM Gathering Sept 24th & 25th.

- Free up Wednesdays for "growth" work. (Blue Sky Day) Starting July 14th.

- Exercise 6x weekly, Eat Well & Improve Recovery Rituals.

- Add another 20 clients to our facility.

- CELEBRATE Hibachi 100!

- Perform at least 2 group talks.

- Read "Profiles in Courage" and 1 other book TBD.

- Get my bike fixed! Laser Fitted? What the hell, let's do this right!

- Sign up for IRONMAN 2011' (In the end we compete against ourselves and I can do better!)

**** In the next 90 days I WILL fulfill each of my BIG 5 for 2010 ****

-Frank Pucher

A Legendary Night

Francesca and I rode down to Red Bank, NJ to visit our friend Rick Ivone. This was no ordinary social call. Rick was hosting the "Greatest Long Distance Runner" in US History - Stu Mittleman. In fact he is in the US Long Distance Running Hall of Fame!

About Stu:

- He set three consecutive American 100-Mile Road Race records in the US National Championships 1980-1982. His fastest 100-Mile Run was 12 hours 56 minutes. In 1986, he won the 1,000 Mile World Championship and set a new world record by running the distance (1 609.344 kilometers) in 11 days, 20 hours 36 min. 56 sec. Mittleman set three consecutive American Records in the 6-Day Race, the final one being set in 1985 at the University of Colorado Field House. One record, which still stands: 577.75 miles in 6 Days. His greatest accomplishment is perhaps his 2927 mile Run Across America from San Diego to New York City. He completed this in 56 days! (That's 2 Marathons a day for 56 consecutive days.)

Now I'll be honest, I couldn't help but think "Could I do that?" I mean i'ts been done, so I know it's possible.

Then Stu mentioned how much the trip cost him in $$ and I thought to myself "I'm no longer curious!"

Facts:

- Holds degress in Sociology, Sports Psychology, and Exercise Physiology.

- Was the 1st US athlete ever sponsored by Gatorade.

- Completed the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.

- He has appeared on ABC News' Nightline, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, CBS Sports Saturday, the CBS Evening News, Good Day New York,ESPN, and CNN.

- Stu lives with his three children, Beau, Mackenzie, and Alana Fayth, in Palm Desert, CA.

I've never finished a run and thought; "that was a waste of time."

-Frank Pucher

(apparently Stu either!)

Yin & Yang

I was asked by a friend recently to write a testimonial for the back cover of her 2nd book!

When my mother finds out; this book is going to be a New York Times "Best Seller".

Love you Kelli, Thank you for thinking of me.

I am very blessed to have you as my friend.

Love,

Yang

Friday 6/18

I went for a mile run today. 'Stupid' Ice Cream Man just kept driving even though I was waving my money in the air!

Enjoy the weekend.

Frank Pucher

I've never finished a run and thought, 'that was a waste of time.'

Vacation Notes

I'm back home after 5 GREAT days in Naples, Florida. For those who have never been; let's just say that Naples is a playground for the Very Wealthy. However, after some scouring the NET and multiple visits to Priceline.com and CheapOAir.com I found some deals that enabled me to blend into the landscape.

I could go on but I'll give the bullet version of our trip with some things to think about.

1) We were booked on the 3-5th floor (part of 'deal') however upon arrival we mentioned it was our Anniversary and that come back "Every Year to Celebrate". Result: They upgraded us to the 17th floor w/ Amazing views of the Gulf.

- the service is always good at the Naples Grand Hotel but this year they really stepped up their "Good Morning and Hello Routine" each day they made everyone feel like it was their Anniversary - Birthday - Etc.

2) We went to one of our favorite restaurants one night and were promptly seated. We then sat there for 15 minutes without someone as much as acknowledging we were there. No Menu - No Glass of Water - No Waiter saying "I'll be right with you." So we got up and simply walked away...

- A bad night can happen, but poor service is a KILLER to a Service Business..

3) We walked to another place "Verginas" and were seated promptly with menus and a wine list. We enjoyed our Vino while viewing the menu; we had a GREAT experience and meal and the service was Top Notch.

- We will be back and I will recommend.

4) We witnessed a Couple on another night give all kinds of Grief, Complaints and Annoyance to our Waiter and the Hostess. It really appeared that they went out of their way to be difficult. Normally, I just talk about such people privately but I felt the need to interject.

I asked our waiter to have the hostess come to our table (He looked slightly concerned based on the issues he was having with our neighboring table.) I introduced myself and Francesca to the hostess and 'careful' to ensure our neighbor HEARD us I informed the Hostess and Waiter that everything we ordered was spectacular (it was), she replied with thanks and apologized if anything wasn't satisfactory as "One of the waiters called out at the last minute and the others we covering more tables than usual." I smiled and said "The success of any restaurant (or business) is how well you manage problems and in our professional opinion you all did spectacular." She then asked "What do you do?" To which I replied "My wife and I work for FOOD NETWORK." The hostess smiled right at me and said "You have just made my night."

- Did I FIB? "Sure" but the smile on her face was worth it. Plus, the silence from the next table over was even better!

5) On our last night we finished dinner and went to another spot for another glass of wine and some dessert. We talked about how great the trip has been and how everything and everyone made us feel so great. It's as if the community of Naples got together and said "times are tough, people are stressed and they need a break, let's WOW them every chance we can." With that, an older couple sits next to us at the bar and asks for the exact wine and dessert that Francesca and I were enjoying. We chuckled as if "that could be us in 30 years!" (Actually, that could be me now!!) Anyway, without them knowing, I instructed the bartender to charge us for their bill. We finished before them, wished them a nice evening and excused ourselves.

- Paying back or Paying forward is all the same thing. "Making people feel like a Million Bucks isn't just good for business, it's good for us all."

Ok, it was longer than I thought. But GREAT/Poor examples of Service - Commitment - Professionalism & Love were all on display. They always are.

Can you spot 'em?

Frank Pucher

Crossing The Line

cross: (verb) 1. to move from one side to another 2. to pass over mediocrity

With everything, there’s a line.

On one side of the line is a greater chance to give more, enjoy more, realize more. On the other side, there’s less of a chance.

And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at meaningful – opportunity – impact – or you settle with the lesser chance.

Your choice.

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those times. Those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do). But then, those misses (those hurdles) in the short run will sometimes help you over the line in the long run (in a way you couldn’t have seen). They’ll serve as lessons, giving you more depth to your experience.

But you won’t know that at the time.
At the time, you’ll just see that line.
And it might seem like a wall.
But it really is just a line (a line you want to cross).
And it’s yours to cross but you have to decide (make that choice).

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those people. Those people who’ve decided they’d rather not cross the line and would prefer you didn’t either – they sprinkle in a little doubt, withhold a little encouragement, and step in the way.

Then there’ll be that inner voice. That inner voice that’ll remind you you’re not that special and things like that are for other people. (What are you thinking?)

Then there’ll be the work. The work that’ll be the real challenge that some people never face because of the false challenges from those times, those people, or that inner voice that keep us from trying (and bouncing back).

But there’s the line.
And it needs to be crossed.
And you can cross it.

It’s up to you.

(Which side will you choose?)

__________

How to Cross the Line…

1. Choose to commit. Make the choice to improve your chances to go beyond mediocrity. Approach the things you do with the intent to deliver / succeed / serve.
2. Work hard. Good things are rarely easy (cheap). Real effort and attention are the fundamentals behind everything. (There are no quick fixes.) Earn your results.
3. Focus. Eliminate distractions. Minimize exposure to negative people, thoughts, and things that don’t serve your intent.
4. Bounce back. Learn from your mistakes and challenges and remember your choice to cross the line.

Not easy, but simple. (And it needs to be done.)

Tuesday Scramble

June 8th, 2010

"You don't need to learn from mistakes; You will continue to make them. Better to learn how to handle mistakes once they occur."

Another 5 mile run day. Feeling good and ready for some good running on vacation.

Had a great conversation with my brother Gary over lunch regarding future Plans & Goals for Fitness 121. Exciting things!

"Live the life you want to live, it's the surest way to BE Happy."

Thoughts on Monday

June 6, 2010

When a problem arises, seek the "opportunity."

What you fear (only) holds power over you for as long as you resist it.

5 mile run today - feeling a little tired from yesterday.

Thinking of my Naples Home today - getting closer every day!

I'm 'car-less'; my lease ended today and I have no idea what I want to do?

"It's easy to succumb to negative thinking. After all, everyone else is doing it. But then again, not everyone seeks to live the life they desire, some even live a life of no desires - rather they seek to exist. That's not the life I choose, and therefore not the life I expect."

Some question or doubt that our "expectations" have anything to do with our "outcomes."

What do you think?

-Frank Pucher

No Time Like Now.

Currently reading "The Magic of Thinking Big."

Another one of those ' Your Life is a Result of Your Thoughts' kind of books. Actually, I read quite a few of them, and to be honest I'm a pretty happy guy. In fact, most people (including strangers) offer questions like "are you ever in a bad mood?"

This morning after some coffee and some mind wandering, I got to thinking. "Is it all BS?"

Positive thinking? Can it really make a difference? If so, how much?

So, I'm putting it to the test. Rather than reading about it and thinking about it, starting today -I'm going to live it.

"365 days of Positive Thinking."

"When is a good time to start thinking positive? Next week, Next Year, or Right Now?"

Stay Tuned.

Comeback Profile

Aside from my increasing cupcake consumption, I am feeling good about my training comeback.

Been building my running base nicely and even ran a TEST on the Treadmill to measure my HR at various speeds (results: not to be revealed).

Working backwards I'm eyeing a Marathon in January, a 1/2 Marathon in October and a couple of 5k's this summer.

I'll probably add some other events to the menu as "competition is always the best workout!"

On the strength training side of the moon, I've become a big fan of the TRX. Probably due to the efficiency of my workouts on it. After a 5, 7, or 10 mile run I just don't want to be spending another 60 minutes 'lifting weights' and setting up benches and props.

My flexibility has always been pretty good but lately I've stopped stretching almost completely. Instead, I've been doing a lot more Foam Rolling. The 'Experts' say it's better than stretching for preventing injuries and increasing Range of Motion; I Agree!

I've got a little R&R (Running and Reading) planned for Naples next week. I think it'll be time for me to 'Toe a Starting Line' when I return. To my fellow 40yr old's and a few 'Young Punks' -

"Get Ready."

I've never finished a run and thought, "that was a waste of time."

-Frank Pucher