There are a ton of reasons (excuses) why people don't get in shape, but they all eventually boil down to one core concept: They are not motivated enough to do what it takes to attain the level of fitness that they desire.

There it is. That's the solution to the big mystery. Sure, there are plenty of circumstances that get in the way of people getting into shape, but that doesn't change the fact that there are no hurdles that can't be leaped if the motivation level is high enough. Think of what happens when someone has a heart attack or a stroke, and you'll see this concept in full effect. THEN they are suddenly very motivated.

I don't believe in waiting until I almost die to take action and start living a better life. However, that's just me, and I realize that some other people need more motivation than that. That being said, I have gone back to my personal training roots and put together a program that uses two of the most powerful motivators ever - money and recognition.

The Million Dollar Body Challenge is a 90-day group coaching initiative where you, dear reader, get to take part in a health coaching program that not only includes plenty of incredible information from a qualified teacher, but that also gives you the chance for as much cash and recognition as you can handle!

There are a ton of great benefits to the program, which kicks off on May 1st, 2008, but here are some of the highlights:

• Cash and prizes worth up to $1,000 awarded every day just for working out
• Up to $10,000 awarded once a month to people who make the most progress
• A $250,000 cash prize given annually to a male and a female who truly excel
• Countless online resources and almost limitless content from fitness trainers and experts
• Free teleconferences every single week
• Email access to me as your coach for the entire 90-day period
• Free copies of Today is that Day fitness products
• Free lifetime Premium memberships at Personal Development Partners where challengers will be able to discuss their progress

And that's just a quick overview. If you want the real scoop - and if you are truly ready to make some positive changes in your health - then click below to get started! This program will fill up quickly, and I will have to close it to new members at that point.

Sign up now to get access to all of the materials and the support that you need, and start getting yourself on track. Once May 1st hits, we are going to take off like a rocket, and you won't believe the physical change that the group participants will undergo!

I am very happy to announce that despite some unexpected delays and technical issues, Personal Development for Stupid People is up and ready to go!

In addition, not only is the book available in both eBook and Audio download format, but I even managed to secure a very low-cost way to have it printed and spiral-bound, so people can order that version if they want to curl up with the book and study it while away from their computer or their iPod.

All told, the book ended up being 8 "core content" chapters, plus an introductory, and conclusion chapter. One of the delays in getting it written was due to the fact that although I didn't pull any punches as far as anyone's personal responsibility for their own success, the book did end up being more detailed as far as methods and philosophies than I had originally intended, which took longer to hash out.

Don't worry, though! As the name of the book implies, it is still basic, real-world information, which was the whole point to begin with. As much respect as I have for people who can tear apart personal development into every little nuance, the average person simply doesn't want to get THAT involved with the process. People just want ways to effect positive changes in their lives, and in that regard, Personal Development for Stupid People delivers.

Don't forget to sign up for the Today is that Day newsletter if you haven't already, since all newsletter subscribers get a 25% discount off of Personal Development for Stupid People, and all of the other Today is that Day products as well.

If you would like a sneak peek, you can download a free copy of the audio or the PDF version of the introductory chapter by clicking either of the links below:

Audio version of Introduction       PDF version of Introduction 

Enjoy the new book, and I look forward to hearing your feedback! 

This is Volume 30 of the Self Improvement and Personal Development Link Love series.

This series will be published weekly and will be comprised of links to quality blog posts that have proven to be extraordinary in their ability to assist, inform, or empower the reader.

As you check out these quality links, be sure to help the authors out by adding their posts to Stumbleupon, Digg, or your favorite social networking site. Enjoy!

1) Brian Kim - As my regular readers know, I am a big advocate of people doing their own thing, and Brian's post How to Deal With the Fear of Quitting Your Job in Order to Start Your Own Business does an excellent job of breaking down the process of going into business for yourself. It's not as complicated as many people think, and anyone can do it. If you have a dream of owning your own business, Brian's outline of the process is definitely recommended reading.

2) Change Your Tree - Everyone is busy, and many people will cite the fact that their busy schedule is what keeps them from making consistent improvements in their lives. In the post 6 Simple Ways to Sneak Self-Improvement Into Your Daily Life, Kevin not only lists some great ways to sneak in your self improvement efforts, but he encourages people to share their own methods in the comment section of the post.

3) Pick the Brain - For years people have been thinking of proper diet and exercise as simply methods of losing weight, but the truth is that a healthy lifestyle has a ton of benefits, and weight loss is only one of them. In the post 10 Reasons to Work Out That Have Nothing to Do With a Sexy Body, John lists some of the wonderful benefits of working out that many people never take the time to consider.

4) Alex Shalman - In a post that ended up being more controversial than Alex probably originally intended, Fasting: Clear Mental State And Longer Life discusses the benefits of fasting. The conversation in the comments section covers a lot of different opinions about what people think of the fasting process, as well as the benefits.

5) eSoup - Although the idea of following your passions in order to make money is a valid concept, it can also become a limiting belief if you feel that your passions have to make you money. In the post I'd like my crayons back, please, Sharon does a wonderful job of explaining that sometimes you can use your gifts just for the sake of enjoying them!

Thanks as always to the authors who create content worth sharing, and to the readers who inspire us to do so!

Here is a quick update on what is coming up at Today is that Day, and an apology for the quiet week here at the blog!

Things have been quiet on the blog this week, as I have been continually working on Personal Development for Stupid People, and I ended up putting a lot more heart and soul into it than I had even originally envisioned.

That, of course, is a wonderful thing, and the eBook itself is 100% done, and ready to go. However, as promised, I am also doing an audio version, and the recording and editing of that has taken longer than expected. Not to worry, though, it will be done and ready to go on Monday, April 7th.

You can refer back to this post to get the details on what it is all about, and look for the official launch on Monday. Also, if you are not already a member of the free Today is that Day Newsletter, now is the time to sign up! All newsletter subscribers will receive 25% off of the price of Personal Development for Stupid People, as well as all of the other Today is that Day products.

Million Dollar Body Challenge

I have also been busily working on something that I am - quite frankly - ECSTATIC about, and for anyone who wants to get in shape for the upcoming summer, you'll want to get in on it!

I'm not going to give away the full scoop right now, however, since there will be a post out next week that will have all of the exciting details. For now, I'll just say this:

• It's going to be a health coaching program based on structure and accountability, and with me using my 3 years of experiences as a personal trainer to keep everyone exactly on track.
• There will be loads of prizes, including daily giveaways and even a chance for the grand prize of $250,000 - if you take the right steps to qualify. 
• The program will be kicking off on May 1st, and since I will be coaching all of the participants, there will be a limited number of slots.
• It's only going to be for people who are seriously ready to take charge of their health, and are willing to commit to the program.
• For those few who want to commit to their health and also their financial success, there will be an opportunity for that as well. 
• And finally (and this is my favorite part) - it's going to be intense!

Stay tuned for all of the details coming out next week, or, if you just can't stand the tension, shoot me an email if you want an advance notice before everyone else finds out, and I will secure you a slot in the program! 

WHAT'S NEXT?

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Almost from the cradle, people are conditioned to strive not for what they actually want, but rather for whatever their local culture believes is possible for them.

What kind of self-replicating, culturally limiting crap is that?

Just because the people who have come before you lived their lives by a certain set of rules has absolutely nothing to do with what YOU are capable of.

The "rules" that any given society lives by are simply manifestations of the beliefs that are held by the members of that society. When the members change their beliefs, the entire society will then change its beliefs.

The only cultural "norms" are whatever any given culture believes those norms to be.

• If you believe that you have to get a good education and then land a good job in order to ensure your success, you will do whatever it takes to do exactly that. Forget the fact that many of today's millionaires never even finished high school, let alone got a college education.
• If you believe that only "good" or "lucky" people are allowed to have success, then your entire life will revolve around proving that to be true. If you don't think of yourself as one of those people, does that mean that you are doomed to poverty and despair? Why is it then, that there is also a very common belief that people who have money are BAD people?
• If you believe that you have to practice a certain religion in order ensure your success and happiness, you'll jump through hoops to prove yourself (or your congregation) right. Forget the fact that poor, unhealthy, and unhappy people stay that way despite praying to their God every single day, or that people who are commonly considered "sinners" are living a life of abundance and opulence, while praying to no one.
• If self-sacrifice is a key cornerstone of your values, you'll spend your entire life sacrificing your own desires, while constantly giving to others. Why is it then, that the most successful people in the world followed their passions, and that is why they became so successful?

The truth of the matter is that people who ignore the rules are the people who achieve the most success and fulfillment.

Yes, these people still work within certain "guidelines," and they map a general route based on expected societal reactions. They also consider their potential success based on the beliefs of the rest of the world, while they themselves break out of the mold in order to be successful.

• They recognize and respect authority insofar as it suits their needs.
• They engage in certain "standard" practices as long as those practices are on their route to success.
• They "play along" only in ways that allow them to still be ultimately in control of the game.

However, in the end, they deliver - via word or action - one solid message:

I am going to do this MY way, and I neither need nor desire your approval, nor do I care about how things have been done in the past.

Does that make them outcasts?

Does that cause them to be persecuted?

Does that cause them to be ridiculed?

In many cases, yes. Successful people become successful because they rock the boat, and society in general does not like boat rockers.

Ask yourself this, however:

Would you rather live to be 100 years old, and be remembered for nothing more than living to be 100, or would you rather live to only be 50, but have left a legacy that would teach and empower millions of people long after you were gone?

Personally, I choose the legacy.

But, hey - that's just me. I'm a boat rocker.

What about you?

WHAT'S NEXT?

Discuss this post at Personal Development Partners
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