Hold On To Your Dreams

I started training for competitive body building about 3 years ago. Perhaps it was a midlife crisis or something. I had just turned 51 and body building competition had been on my list of ‘Things To Do Someday’ dream list for about 30 years. When my network marketing company sent me on a free vacation to Hawaii I picked up a muscle magazine. For some reason whenever I go on vacation I start thinking about things on my fun ‘to-do’ list. While looking at the magazine, I realized that it was time. I thought “I have been holding onto this dream for almost 30 years. If I don’t do it soon, this it will pass me by.” I am not one to give up on a dream so I wasted no more time before starting my body building career. I realized that there was nothing stopping me from doing it, so I did.

Focus Is Key To Achieving Goals

I began to focus on body building as my passion outside of my business. I studied and read body building books, subscribed to body building journals, went to body building competitions and hung out with body builders. I got a personal trainer, joined the gym, bought body building apparel and basically learned every aspect of body building. It took focus. I focused on scheduling time to get to the gym each week. I focused on eating foods that build muscle. I focused on visualizing winning competitions; I focused on the enjoyment of the sport. I focused on my health. I focused on what other body builders did. I focused my studies on my new sport.

Determination Is Essential To Success

I was determined to be a winning body builder. There were times it was not easy. I kept my determination and now, after two seasons of competition, I can say that I have enjoyed several successes as a body builder. The body building trophies and medals remind me of the determination and commitment that it takes to be an entrepreneur. When I first quit the corporate world I did exactly the same thing. I focused on network marketing, I studied and read books on network marketing, I subscribed to networking magazines. I scheduled time for my business. I joined a team of successful reps and hired a coach or mentor. I visualized myself quitting my full time job. I visualized myself on a free vacation in Hawaii. I focused all my studies on my new career.

Failure Is Lack Of Commitment

It hasn’t always been easy, yet I have kept my determination. The only difference between success and failure is the ability to stay committed. In both body building and network marketing I have been told by friends and relatives that I am crazy for sticking with it. In both a hobby and a career I have occasionally had thoughts that maybe they were right. I have even thought that it was not worth all the work. I did not fail because I did not quit. The number one reason anyone fails in anything is because they stop!

Stay Committed To Your Dreams

You deserve to enjoy life. Both your career and hobbies and dreams should be enjoyed. Know that they are attainable. Body building is the same as being self-employed. It is all about your commitment to yourself. You deserve to receive all the good in life, so give yourself the opportunity to live your dreams. Stay committed to achieving your dreams, both in your personal world and in your work world.

30 Years Of Dreaming & 3 Years Of Focus

This 2 minute clip is the result of 30 years of dreaming and 3 years of commitment and focus. Natural body builders are judged in two segments. In the morning on symmetry and muscularity and in the evening on posing. I earned a 4th place in my age group and 5th in overall women’s physique. This is the evening performance in Middletown, PA on October 6, 2007.

Deb’s posing routine at the NABBA American Championships