The Thin Line, by Doug Grady

It has been said there's a thin line between love and hate, winning and losing, bravery and stupidity, genius and insanity... After over twenty years studying and teaching the pathways to personal potential, I am convinced:

There's a thin line between the person you are and the person you can be.

The person you can be lies just below the surface of who you are now. Reaching your full potential may at times feel unrealizable. The pressures of every day life may leave little time and energy for becoming the person you know you can be but aren't quite yet. Bad habits, regrets, and feelings of failure add extra weight on an already heavy load. Even moderate success and superficial achievement can become obstacles to your true greatness.

Self improvement programs can be cumbersome at best. They offer formulas and fixes, strategies and solutions, lotions and potions. I have participated in hundreds of them. I have delivered thousands of seminars, workshops, and trainings. They all work and none of them work. What's the difference? What's the magic bullet? What's the one thing? WHAT'S THE THIN LINE?

"Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person." -Albert Einstein

Being interested in your personal potential is not enough. Wishing is not enough. Hoping is not enough. Talking about it won't do it. The best training programs in the world can't do it for you. Prayer is a great start. But without crossing the thin line, you will never reach your personal potential.

"Commitment is the thin line between the person you are and the person you can be." -Doug Grady

Who are you committed to be? This is the most powerful commitment you will ever make. Consciously choose the person you intend to become.

• Who are you at your best?
• What qualities are you committed to develop?
• What will you let go of?
• Who are you committed to serve?

"It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody." -Bob Dylan

Few achieve greatness. None without commitment. The power of commitment is available to you right now. Commitment loves. Commitment finds a way to win. Commitment is brave. Commitment manifests genius. Commitment is the thin line between who you are and who you can be.

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." -Vince Lombardi

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The Ripple Effect

What's In Your Library? Dan Lier

It's hard to believe I have known Dan Lier for over 18 years. It was April 1994 when I decided to leave the insurance business and begin working in the personal and professional development industry. I drove my car from Southern California to Miami, FL and began promoting Brian Tracy seminars. My two roommates were Peter Montoya and Dan Lier. We began friendships that have lasted almost two decades.

Dan is one of the most charismatic, dynamic people I have ever known. Back in the day I modeled his certainty when communicating one-on-one or to large audiences. Through the years he has been a peer, a sounding board, and a coach for me.

Four things I have learned from Dan:

• Think BIG and take massive action
• Certainty separates the good from the great
• When facing a crisis, take a long-term perspective
• Make progress every day

Now for the official bio... Known as "America’s Coach", Dan is a best selling author, executive coach, business consultant and former top speaker with Tony Robbins. With over two decades of experience and 3,500 customized presentations, along with coverage by The Today Show and Inside Edition, Dan’s track record speaks for itself. His TV show “Your True Potential,” has inspired millions of people to take their life and business to the next level. From a former college basketball player on two national championship teams to a top performing sales producer, Dan knows what it takes to win.

Check out my interview with Dan on blogtalkradio.

By the way, three of Dan's trainings from his popular audio series The 10 Minute Coach are unlocked in your High Achievers intro membership: A Winning Attitude, Goal Setting and Vision and Success Mindset. Not a member yet? Plug in!

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The Ripple Effect

What's In Your Library? Joel Weldon

If you have ever called my voicemail and listened to the words, "Make it a great day!" then you have been touched by Joel Weldon (I got that from him).

I will never forget the first time Joel spoke for High Achievers. It was 2003 in California. He ran up on stage, put a huge smile on his face, and just stood there for almost a minute. What a way to start a talk! He was funny, enthusiastic, and tailored his talk specifically to our members. Joel is also master story teller. A story he told us a man name Willie has impacted the way I interact with my clients to this day.

"Success comes in cans, not cannots." -Joel Weldon

For 30 years, Joel Weldon has been sought after as an Idea Consultant and seminar leader by many of the world's leading organizations and businesses. A former construction worker with no formal education, Joel turned down a full scholarship because he thought he "wasn't smart enough to go to college." But a few years later his life completely changed. He discovered amazing talents and abilities he never knew he had, and he became a prime example of the power of one idea to transform your life!

Doug with Joel and Judy Weldon

"It's not what happens to you , it's how you respond! It's all up to you! Control the controllables! Forget the excuses, and take ACTION!" -Joel Weldon

Joel's full length seminar, Extraordinary Selling- Using The Willie Factor, is unlocked in week one of your High Achievers intro membership. Not a member yet? What are you waiting for?

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Embrace The Struggle, by Doug Grady

struggle (verb)

1. To be strenuously engaged with a problem, task, or undertaking

2. To progress with difficulty

-thefreedictionary.com

One of the many reasons I workout with my trainers at YourDay is that our workouts are a perfect, beautiful metaphor for life. They are always tough. They are always different. Even though I know I have made progress they never seem to get easier. There is always a level of struggle.

Earlier this week I was having a particularly difficult time performing power cleans with a weight level outside of my comfort zone. I failed on five out of six attempts. The voices in my head started to say unpleasant things. I went on to another exercise.

“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow.” -Thomas Paine

I came back to the power cleans, forcing myself to listen to the voice in my head saying, "It's OK to struggle, just do your best." I failed on four more consecutive attempts. My YourDay trainer, Michael "Choppa" Willis, stayed with me, coaching me. Finally I did one. I rested for a minute or so. I did another. On my next attempt I failed. I rested for 45 seconds or so, resolving to end with a "win." I did one more rep, successfully completing three out of my last four attempts. Progress.

It would have been so easy to quit; to let the struggle be too much for me. I have been there more times than I care to admit. Times when I felt that life had my number and nothing I did made any difference at all. Times when I hated the struggle and prayed for it to just go away. Not today.

"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better." -Jim Rohn

In the "laboratory" of the gym I get to observe my relationship to struggle. I can embrace my inner "chump" or my inner "champ." The lessons in the gym become the lessons for life.

my inner chump says: "Why is this happening to me? Why is this so hard? Why even try? Nothing I do makes a difference. I can't take this anymore. It is generally accompanied with a strained look on my face and short, shallow breaths. My body tends to be tight and rigid. This sucks.

"If it's hard, do it hard! Nobody said it would be easy." -Les Brown

my inner champ says: "It's OK to struggle. I am in the ring. I am making progress. I can do my best right now in this moment." My body is relaxed. My mind is clear. I breathe deeply and my face is relaxed. Bring it.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Everybody struggles sometimes. How you struggle makes all the difference. Struggle like a champ today.

Please, leave a comment. I really want to hear from you.

See Doug struggle (training with Day Adeogba)...

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What's In Your Library? Les Brown

Les Brown's life itself is a true testament to the power of positive thinking and the infinite human potential. Leslie C. Brown was born on February 17, 1945, in an abandoned building on a floor in Liberty City, a low-income section of Miami, Florida, and adopted at six weeks of age by Mrs. Mamie Brown, a 38 year old single woman, cafeteria cook and domestic worker, who had very little education or financial means, but a very big heart and the desire to care for Les Brown and his twin brother, Wesley Brown. Les Brown calls himself "Mrs. Mamie Brown's Baby Boy".

"You've got to be HUNGRY!" -Les Brown

In the early 90s as a young man in the insurance business Les Brown was one of my favorite sources of inspiration and motivation. Over two decades later his voice and message is more powerful than ever.

"My mission is to get a message out that will help people become uncomfortable with their mediocrity. A lot of people are content with their discontent. I want to be the catalyst that enables them to see themselves having more and achieving more." -Les Brown

Les spoke three times for High Achievers. He was one of our most popular, passionate, and powerful speakers. You can listen to Les Brown's full length High Achievers seminar, Live Your Dreams Now, in week 11 of your High Achievers intro membership. Membership is just $9.95 a month. I challenge you to listen to him and not be motivated.

Get, be, stay HUNGRY!

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Change Your Mind, Change Your World, by Doug Grady

After watching a PBS documentary on Steve Jobs last week this quote stuck with me:

"Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again." -Steve Jobs

There was a time in my life I didn't think I could change much of anything in my world. I changed my mind.

"When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change." -Dr. Wayne Dyer

The turnaround in my life came from accepting that God had a plan for me and that I was not living it. This change in perspective eventually brought about massive changes in every area of my life. If you are taking on a change in your life, your environment, or the world around you, it begins with changing your mind.

Your mind is powerful. It can be stubborn, stuck, and stagnant. You can tell it "yes" but it still says "no." It can delude you into a life that is not much more than a slow, just-comfortable-enough death. Or you can change your mind.

You can change:

• the way you talk to yourself. That little voice in your head is always telling you something. Listen to it. If it is not consistent with the world you want to live in, you can choose a different voice.
• your input. Change what you read, what you watch on television, what you pay attention to online. Consciously add mental inputs that nurture you and grow you as a person. Let go of some of the garbage that pollutes your mind. Access to a High Achievers membership (just $9.95/month) is a great way to do this. You will receive one personal development program each week in your email box from the best in the business.
• your focus. One of the simplest, most powerful ways to change your focus is to develop a sense of gratitude. Each day list at least 20 things you are grateful for. If this is difficult or uncomfortable for you, do it anyway.
• your attitude. This one can take awhile. Consistently maintaining a better attitude is often a by-product of the first three changes. If you choose to, you can change your attitude right now.

"Change happens in an instant." -Tony Robbins

Change is a choice. Make one simple choice today to change the course of your life. You may not think you can change the world, but you can always change your mind.

More simple choices...

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What's In Your Library? Jim Rohn

"You must either magnify your skills or modify your goals" -Jim Rohn

For more than 40 years, Jim Rohn honed his craft like a skilled artist-helping people the world over sculpt life strategies that have expanded their imagination of what is possible. Those who had the privilege of hearing him speak can attest to the elegance and common sense of his material. It is no coincidence, then, that he is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of our time, and thought of by many as a national treasure. Jim authored countless books and audio and video programs, and helped motivate and shape an entire generation of personal-development trainers and hundreds of executives from America's top corporations. -jimrohn.com

"Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion." -Jim Rohn

Jim spoke twice for High Achievers- once in California and once in Texas. I had the honor of meeting him and learning from him in person.

Jim passed away in December of 2009. His legacy lives on in his writings, his recorded seminars, and the countless lives he touched all over the world. You can listen to Jim's full length High Achievers seminar in week three of your High Achievers intro membership. Membership is just $9.95 a month. Start my membership now.

Join us and embrace a lifestyle of achievement.

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Doug Grady and Jack Canfield, 2003

“There are essentially two things that will make you wise -- the books you read and the people you meet.” -Jack Canfield

What's In Your Library?

Consider some of the books and people that have helped you grow through the years. The writings of Jack Canfield, Dr. Denis Waitley, Les Brown, and the late great Jim Rohn made a significant impact on my personal and professional life, long before I met them.

Today's High Achiever faculty spotlight is on Jack Canfield. Jack is one of the most successful people I have ever met. As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre - and watched it grow to a billion dollar market.

"Most everything you want is just outside your comfort zone." -Jack Canfield

Jack spoke on the High Achievers line-up several times. He was one of our most popular speakers, sincere in his approach, and just plain fun to be around (he still is). And his wisdom is profound. In 2003 I quit smoking by applying one of the strategies he taught for High Achievers.

Jack Canfield's Successful Habits Formula (from The Power of Focus)

1. Clearly identify your bad or unproductive habits.
2. Define your new successful habit.
3. Create a three part action plan.

Thanks Jack!

Jack, Jim, Denis, and Les (along with a host of others) are ready for you. Full length audio recordings from the best of a decade of High Achievers trainings are waiting to be delivered to your email box. Each week we unlock the High Achievers vault and giving you exclusive access to our Achievement Library, all for less than 32 cents per day.

Join us and embrace a lifestyle of achievement.

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The Turnaround, by Doug Grady

If you would have told me 19 months ago that by now I would be an author, have a youtube hit and be in the best shape of my life I don't know that I would have believed you.

Less than two years ago I was heavily in debt, full of self-doubt, and struggling through a mid-life crisis on several levels. Today my first book, The Ripple Effect is complete, High Achievers 3.0 has been launched, and I am preparing for the most exciting performance of my life.

"Live with passion!" -Tony Robbins

Life these days is filled with activities I am passionate about. I am part of a team I am excited to work with. I get to exercise, write, create, volunteer, perform, teach and coach. I am living a life consistent with the person I have always wanted to be. Don't get me wrong- I haven't "arrived." Now is simply very different (and much better) than the not too distant past.

I paused today to ask the same question I asked myself almost two years ago when I felt helpless, hopeless, and out of control.

"Well, how did I get here?"

I have distinguished four core components in my turnaround.

1. Surrender. I prayed. I had prayed before, often. I prayed for guidance, wisdom and clarity; for the ability to make good decisions. These may seem like intelligent prayers, but when I prayed them they were nothing more than various ways of saying, Help ME get better at getting what I want. Something was different about this prayer. It came from a different place, one of no agenda; open to whatever response I received. I asked to be the man God made me to be. Almost immediately I became present to this truth: I had been given much and was by contrast, giving very little. My prayer was answered initially in the form of:
2. Physical exercise. I believe intense, consistent physical exercise to be the single most important discipline I engaged in to begin my turnaround. After nearly five months of a sedentary lifestyle, I exercised at least 30 minutes per day every day for 78 days straight. Since that time I have maintained a minimum of 45 minutes per day, five days a week. Discipline in this area caused a ripple effect in every significant area of my life. This led me to:
3. People. I reconnected with some. I let go of others. I went out of my way to be around people I respected, trusted, and wanted to grow with. Along the way I was introduced to Day Adeogba in a Saturday morning boot camp. Day became my friend, mentor, and personal trainer. I went to three to five networking meetings per week. I invested time with people I met- not to make a sale, simply to connect. I became actively involved in a Christian men's group called Ironmen. A strategic alliance with BNI was strengthened when I met David Alexander, now CNO of High Achievers. I began to consciously choose my:
4. Lifestyle. Slowly but surely unwanted behaviors and bad habits were replaced with people, activities, thoughts, and experiences consistent with the person I knew I could be. In addition to taking care of business, I took time to learn and grow. I started writing music, blogging, and performing for anyone who would listen. Church, family, and service became more of a priority than ever before in my life. I took care of my body with better nutrition and health habits. I trained for and completed three Tough Mudders in 2011.

It didn't happen over night. In fact many of my endeavors, particularly business and financial, took longer than I thought that they would. Some still are. But it almost didn't matter. I was beginning to live the life I always wanted but had never quite realized. Not just glimpses here and there, but fully embracing a lifestyle of achievement.

"Thinking is the hardest work there is which is, the probable reason why so few people engage in it." -Henry Ford

Sometimes you just gotta sit back, take a deep breath, and reflect. No matter where you are on your journey, right now is the perfect time to do this. If you choose not to do it now, schedule yourself at least an hour to give yourself this gift within the next two days. Take your time. Be where you are. Reflect for a few minutes on the answers to each question.

• How did I get here?
• How is my life different now from a year ago?
• Am I closer to being the person I know I can be?
• What am I most grateful for?
• Am I living the life I truly want to live?

If not, maybe it  starts with a prayer, a push-up, and a person.

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"The 21 Day Turn-Around is a total surrender of your body to good health and a new beginning. We’ve designed this cleanse to give your body a push to flush out all the toxins, but also to ease you into a healthier lifestyle." -Arden's Garden

The 21 Day Cleanse (Day Eight), by Doug Grady

When my good friend and mentor Day Adeogba speaks, I listen. He recommended I take on the Arden's Garden 21 day cleanse. After some consideration, I committed.

You may recall I did a cleanse last year. It was 14 days all raw fruits, vegetables and nuts. But I had to do it my way- I refused to give up coffee. On this one, I am ALL IN. No sugar, wheat, dairy, smoking, drugs, supplements, vitamins or alcohol. I know what you're thinking- what the heck am I going to eat??

I think I have consumed more vegetable nutrients in the last seven days than I did in the previous two months combined. This has been facilitated by the purchase of a new juicer and multiple trips to the produce section. You sure can save time shopping when you get all of your food from the same aisle.

Week one was pre-cleanse. Aside from the lack-of-caffeine-induced forgetfulness (I arrived at rehearsal Monday without my banjo), the week was pretty smooth. By day five I didn't miss the coffee and on day six I felt fantastic.

Today is Day eight, the first of seven consecutive days of juice or smoothies only. I have been told this is the most challenging time of the cleanse. My energy dipped a bit late morning, but overall I feel pretty good.

One of the many health benefits of a cleanse is the potential for your body to heal. When you eliminate or take a break from the excluded substances mentioned, your body utilizes more energy for the healing process. I have personally been dealing with a persistent hip injury. 21 days is a tiny investment to make for the potential return of avoiding hip surgery.

Beyond the health benefits there are mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects to a cleanse. When you let go of elements of your life that you have become dependent on, you can rock your own world. You open yourself up for breakthroughs in every area of your life.

I'll check back in with you between now and day 21.

Please leave a comment- I really want to hear from you!

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