The best year of my life was in 1977. I was 16 years old. When school started, I got a job working as a stock boy at a women’s shoe store on weekends and afternoons. The general manager did not allow music to be played in the stock room. Instead, Zig Zigler tapes were played. Zig was a pioneer in sales, motivation and inspiration.

At first, I wasn’t very receptive to the tapes. However, after several months, I had gotten used to them. Eventually, I could recite each and every word on the 10 tapes. It became an ongoing joke, because I learned to imitate the voice so well. To this day, I can still hear Zig saying, “Money can buy you a house, but it won’t buy you a home; money can by you a bed, but it won’t buy you a good night’s sleep.”  Little did I know that someday I would produce my own self-help tapes, which have sold more than a million copies.

Saturdays were always the busiest days in retail. On one particular Saturday, five sales people chose to not show up for work. The general manager freaked out, and in a moment of haste, insisted that I get on the floor and start selling shoes. I told him I couldn’t do it, that I had never sold a thing in life. Besides, I was wearing a dirty t-shirt and jeans. He dragged me down to the mall and bought me a shirt and a slip-on tie, and the next thing I knew I was on the shoe floor.

I will never forget that day— from my first sale to the most beautiful women I had ever seen to the nine pairs of shoes and boots sold to the woman from Mexico City. Throughout it all, I was calculating how much money I was going to earn that day. I went from minimum wage (US$4 an hour) to a 10-percent-commissioned salesman. I earned approximately US$1,300 that day.

After that first sale, I was unstoppable. I could not help but feel that the Zig Ziglar tapes had made a big impression on me. This was a big turning point in my life and career. That night, when the final numbers were tallied at the register, the general manager turned to me and said, “You just crushed the largest single sales day by an employee in this store’s twenty-year history.”

The feeling of elation at that moment has rarely been duplicated in my life, but it is that feeling of unbelievable accomplishment that keeps me motivated to this day. I went on to sell ladies’ shoes for several more years. I learned to love selling, and more importantly, I realized the power of words, dreams and vision.

In my opinion there is there is no single thing a person can do that is more important than the decision to do something good for themselves pertaining to their health. Even doing something simple like adding a healthy meal, going for a 10 minute walk or doing a few simple muscle building exercises will have a positive effect on your program. In fact, many times it’s these simple and easy things you do that lead to much more significant changes such as major weight reduction, stop smoking or a journey to a healthier living lifestyle. One of the best ways to approach your wellness program is to realize that it is a journey. You will never finish this journey; you will just continue to get better at it.

I remember embarking on what would eventually become the most important journey of my life. It was in 1977 and I was 16 years of age. As a family we were going through some very difficult times. Looking back I hate to think what might have been had my mom not worked up the courage to dream the impossible. She mustered up as much needed strength as she could and loaded me and my twin brothers age six into an old beat up Chevy as we looked to start a brand new life leaving New York and headed for all places Las Vegas. There was a very good reason for Vegas and that was because my father was banned from there at this time. (He wasn’t part of the problem. He was the problem) She felt it would be a safe place to go. We no sooner arrived in New Jersey and our car broke down. I knew she was scared but you would have never known it. She had a keen sense of focus that prevented me from being scared and her from showing any fear what so ever. The lesson I learned was that fear can often be a driving force in helping us achieve our goals. She was after all a determined woman. The car eventually was fixed but broke down three more times before we finally hit Vegas. The other valuable lesson I learned is that every Journey will have mechanical breakdowns, road detours, bad weather, road construction and other unique unexpected surprises.

When we finally arrived in Las Vegas we ended up packing the car once again due to the fact that my mom had made a quick decision not to raise her family in Vegas. We then continued on our journey to Houston, a place where we knew not a soul, a place where we could start a brand new life. The car had other plans because it blew the entire engine while passing through Dallas, TX. There we were in a strange town, penniless, no car and no one to turn to. What we did have was a clear idea of the kind of life we wanted for ourselves. Most of all we had HOPE. Let’s face it, many decisions we must make on our own personal journey are much harder than adding a healthy meal. The secret is regardless how hard life try’s to knock you off your path; you must always maintain your focus regardless of the circumstances.

We are all on a path and journey. There are many obstacles that can and will get in way. Many times its things that are completely out of our control such as the economy, bad weather or decisions that are completely within our control. In contrast it can be as simple as choosing door number one or door number two. When it comes to our health just like in life perfection doesn’t exist. I often say food is rarely the problem when sticking to your program. Dealing with life is generally the problem when it comes to being flung off the railroad tracks. A small example is that even the best workout intentions can evaporate with a call that you have to pick up the kids from school, work late or you left your workout clothes at home by the door.

As your appointed voice of wellness I ask that you join me on my quest to help as many people as I can to continue to reach their goals and above all keep their focus regardless of how many obstacles appear to be in your way. It is not about perfection it is about progress. Many years ago as I was beginning my career a mentor gave me metaphor I would like to pass onto you. At the time I was graveling that I wasn’t seeing the results with my business and he told me to imagine a 10 gallon bucket. Now visualize placing just a few bb’s in it each day. In the beginning the bucket will appear to be empty but as time goes on the bucket will start to fill up. This is exactly the way I would like for you to visualize your wellness program. It is the little things that will continue to have a major residual effect for years to come.

Keep your focus at all costs. We all get side tracked from time to time. The shortest workout I do is better than the workout I missed. The other valuable lesson I have learned is that in my own personal journey I have had much guidance and many mentors to help me move along to the next level. I believe that the current  wellness program is designed to do just that. If you have taken the time to read this article then I believe your journey is on the path to the greater good.

Keeping your focus tips

1. Always maintain a positive attitude.
2. Fear can be a positive in helping us achieve our goals.
3. The journey never ends.
4. Look for guidance and good mentors.
5. Have written goals.
6. If you fall off the wagon, pick yourself up and get right back on.
7. Don’t dwell on the past.
8. Set backs are a given.
9. Hopelessness means there is no solution to your problem. There is HOPE

Because there is always a solution to your problem.

Larry North

I received this from a friend, and thought I would share it here.

——————————————–

Dearest  Larry,

It was wonderful to run into you the other day at the grocery store. You look marvelous and I am so glad you are happy. Congratulations on your falling in love again. Love looks beautiful on everyone.  I know we spoke of your looking at Technogym again because we do custom color frames and upholsteries, but the real reason I wanted to write you is because, gosh, 17 years ago??–  I sat at a dinner party while you told your amazing story of your brothers and your Mother and your Father’s struggles in NYC while you were a child. I was so touched at how instead of being embittered and torn down by it all, that you found silver linings of strength that became absolute invincible power in your will and soul. Yours is a story that should never stop being told. It can give so many that feel they are without hope, that one little glimmer they require to break free and move forward from their paralysis. Through the years, when I have seen or heard your name, I smiled at feeling honored that I had met you and heard your inspiring words. We meet many people along our paths, most slip away—but I expect you rarely slip away from anyone’s path. For that, and for me, I must thank you.

Warmest Thanks,
Martha N.