Life changing learning lessons

Not going to lie, it's been a whirlwind last 4 weeks.  Emotional highs and lows have knocked me around a bit.  Without boring you with all the details, I do want to express the learning lessons that have been life changing...

Learning Lesson #1:

Four weeks ago I made a big decision to close down the CFA Playground.  This was a business I started one year ago and plain and simple, it just didn't work out.  The excitement I had 365 days ago when opening this facility was marred by the complexity of running two entirely different businesses.  I was spread thin, became overwhelmed and stressed and ultimately could not physically run both facilities.  We loved the Playground and everything it symbolized but the business model did not work in our community and I came to that tough decision to cease operations.  Hence, the BIG learning lesson....MORE IS NOT BETTER.  Better is better.  Quality is the key.  Quickly, I turned a negative emotion into positive.  Instead of sulking in my sorrow, I quickly found new motivation.  This attitude adjustment reinvigorated my enthusiasm to continue building the mother lode, California Fitness Academy (our main facility).  What a learning lesson!  In life, you must be willing to take risks when reaching for your goals.  Sometimes these risks can lead to failure, but failure is not necessarily a negative thing.  Failure can supply some of the biggest learning lessons in life, if you are willing to respond and grow.  

Learning Lesson #2:

"RAISE YOUR STANDARDS" has been the main philosophy going around our facility.  What do you desire to achieve?  How bad do you want it?  Are you willing to put in the action?  Will you be consistent?  These are valuable questions to ask yourself.  When raising your standards or aiming for specific goals you must create a game plan, with actionable steps, to be successful.  Anyone can have big goals; the question is, are you ready to put in the necessary work?  What habits and daily actions are needed for you to move forward?  Do not try and revamp your entire lifestyle.  Look for a few realistic action steps that you can take immediately.  Once you take ACTION, then it is about being consistent.  Short-term results is not what we are after.  We are in this for the long haul so you must be willing to do the work for months, even years.  This builds a solid foundation.  The stronger the foundation, the higher you can go.  Go out and raise your standards today!  Don’t wait.  This is something that you can do right now. 

Learning Lesson #3:

Relationships are such a key to how you want to live.  “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”  This quote from Jim Rohn says it all.  I encourage you to eliminate energy vampires, negative people and any relationships that suck you dry.  Instead, surround yourself with people who love life, are motivated to grow and learn and that will support your healthy endeavors.  If you want to get in shape, you need to hang out with like-minded healthy people.  If you want to build and grow a business, you need to find mentors who have already been through the journey.  If you want happiness, you need to surround yourself with happy and cheerful people.  When it’s all said and done, your relationships might be the KEY to this crazy life.