[Vegas69]

"If YOU change, everything will change for you" -Jim Rohn

Jim always says that you must study the results to see if your philosophy on life is working. It's been around a year since I started down this road so I thought I'd post the results of my new lifestyle.

I've posted the results of my fitness and nutrition but I want to make it clear that I've put 3-4 times more effort into my mind through personal development than I have my body.

I'm going to break it down into major categories:

Relationships:
Began a reconnection with God.
Greatly improved my relationship with my now Wife, Kelli.
Forged a very rewarding relationship with my little brother (Saif) mentoring him in Big Bro's/Big Sisters program. (He was my ring bear)
Created two new friendships with what I consider very positive associations
I believe I've become a better son, brother, and friend as well.

Health:
Lost over 30 lbs (195 to a low of 159, hover in the 162-165 range) High school weight
By far the best fitness of my life (15th out of 380 runners in a 5k) High intensity weights have kept me fairly muscular
Found a great doctor that is genuinely interested in my greater health. She found a B12 deficiency and low HDL which has now been fixed through supplement. (Retesting tomorrow) In the works to fix my septum with 80% blockage.
Overhauled my diet with Jack Lalanne ideals (If I can't pronounce it or don't know what it is, I do my best not to eat it!) Eat 7-9 times a day with a metabolism that's off the charts.
Squashed what I would consider alcoholism. Now drink lightly on Friday/Saturday. (Didn't get drunk at my own wedding) Occasional glass of wine on Thursday.

Personal Finances:
Changed my balance sheet by $25,000 per year! (Not income related except for rental properties) Paid off car along with other misc. cuts
Increased my net worth by OVER 30%.
Purchased two rental properties at 3.75% interest that cash flow $500 a month
Have a REAL plan on a spreadsheet down to the pennies on how to become a millionaire by 43 and financial independence by 50-55

Business:
Increased gross income by 52%! (Comparing mid 2012 to mid 2013)
I have become a much more polished leader for my team. There is no better way to lead than by example.
I have an evolving business model.
I track every lead that comes through the door.
I'm constantly changing marketing through accountability.
I have a business journal where I track my effort to make sure I'm putting in the required time and concentrating on major things.
Customer service has improved....
Have two accountability partners
Start with a coach next week
Have become a Dave Ramsey ELP

When I reflect on it, it's an amazing amount of progress in a years time. It really came down to DISGUST. I was sick of how I looked in the mirror, how I felt, my poor attitude towards business and my future. Some bad habits had progressively gotten worse and a 5 year down slide in the real estate market had whooped my ass mentally even though I had stayed successful.

Life change starts with EDUCATION. Once I desired to change, I had to figure out how? In the last year I've read over 25 books, listened to 40-50 educational CD's (Many multiple times). I started keeping a journal almost immediately. I spend an easy hour a day on personal development. Start every morning with a book or cd in my new study. Always a CD in my car, read almost every night before bed. I changed my influences by ignoring the news and not getting sucked into the wrong conversations. I've limited some associations and expanded others.

Attitude was and still is the hardest for me. The rest of it was a challenge but nothing in comparison to attitude. The problem with attitude is you don't fix it one day and move on with your life. It's a constant challenge. I was a good 6 months into this deal before I really started to diagnose it. Even though my attitude has improved greatly through my new disciplines, I hadn't figured out all my sources of unhappiness. The one major lingering was my business. I simply wasn't putting in the effort and the results showed it. It wasn't until serious reflection with a very good friend that I realized it. It was in my subconscious. Doing the BEST I CAN has made a huge difference in my life. Life's biggest challenge is being in control of your own mind. You must feed it quality information if you wish to be happy, progressive, and think the right thoughts.

I didn't write this to brag (Maybe a little), I really hope it inspires you to change if you aren't satisfied with your life. Remember, YOU must change if you want a better life.

Jim always says, Once you go down this road, you'll never turn back. I couldn't agree more. I want to see just how far I can go in this life.

The greatest value of life is not what you get, the greatest value of life is what you BECOME. -Jim Rohn