Official start of Marathon training

I officially started my training for my first ever full marathon (to be run on January 8th, in Orlando FL - Walt Disney World). Its 148 days to go, and I have plenty of work to do.

At the same time I will start fundraising for "Un Techo Para Mi Pais; Argentina"
http://www.untechoparamipais.org/english/pagina-principal/where-we-work/argentina/

Un Techo is a non-profit organization run by university students and young professionals that through the construction of transitional houses, works with families in extreme poverty in 19 countries in Latin America, in a social inclusion process that will allow them to develop as a sustainable community.

My goal is to raise enough funds throughout the next 148 days to build 1 house in my home country of Argentina. I'm currently working with Un Techo to finalize the details, and will post them shortly in the blog.

Fernando

Servant Leadership

I briefly wrote about this concept in my last blog, by means of this powerful phrase, “I will serve you so you can succeed.”

This philosophy and practice of leadership was coined and defined by Robert K. Greenleaf and supported by many management and leadership writers. Servant-leaders achieve results for their organizations by giving priority attention to the needs of their colleagues and those they serve. Servant-leaders are often seen as humble stewards of their organization’s resources (human, financial, physical).

In his essay The Servant as Leader, Greenleaf said:

“It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature."

There are 10 characteristics associated to the development of a servant leader:
Listening; Empathy; Healing; Awareness; Persuasion; Conceptualization; Foresight; Stewardship; Commitment to the group of people; Building community

I listed these because I think that they are very closely related to the characteristics of coaching, which is a practice I would like to pursue as I continue my professional career (and is part of my goals for the 100 day challenge). Coaches help people identify and achieve personal, professional, and financial goals. This is done by carefully listening to your client, empathize with them, helping them solve their problems, and by gaining self-awareness to view situations from a more integrated position.

So, next time you’re in a situation of leadership, try experiencing it first as a servant to others.

Personal Accountability

As I continue my quest and my 100 day challenge, I realize how important personal accountability is for the successful completion of any goals. One book I recommend that focuses on this topic is QBQ, ‘The Question Behind the Question’, by John Miller.

Basically;  we are accountable for our own choices and are free to make better ones. And, you make better choices by asking better questions.

The QBQ method identifies 3 simple guidelines to follow:

1.       Begin with What or How, not Why, When or Who

2.       Contain an I, not They, Them, We, or You

3.       Focus on action

Take Ownership, which is understood as ‘a commitment of the head, the heart, and the hand to fix the problem and never again affix the blame’. You have to make accountability personal (ask with an I). Personal accountability is about each of us holding ourselves accountable for our own thinking and behaviors and the result they produce.

We can’t change other people. We often can’t control circumstances and events. The only things we have any real control over are our own thoughts and actions. Asking questions that focus our efforts and energy on what we can do makes us significantly more effective, not to mention happier and less frustrated. So, instead of trying to change others and asking, ‘When will others walk their talk,’ let’s walk our own talk first.

As a final note to personal accountability and leadership, there’s one quote I love, which is ‘I will serve you so you can succeed.’ This reminds me of another famous quote by Zig Ziglar, which I know understand; ‘You can have anything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.’ As a leader, I’m here to help you reach your goals. This is Servant Leadership. Leadership with humility.

Successful Budgeting

90% of people in our culture buy things they can’t afford, and, as Jim Rohn used to say, “have too much month at the end of the money”.

This has happened to me, and I have learned the lesson, but change is painful, and winning at money is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge. That’s why successful and consistent budgeting is part of my goals during these 100 days. I’m tired of buying things I don’t need, with money I don’t have (studies reveal that people spend 47% more when using credit instead of cash) because I fail to plan ahead. Focused intensity is required to win at the money game. We need to understand that if we keep doing the same things over and over, we will keep getting the same results over and over.

So this is the plan. You must set up a budget, a written budget, and do it every month. Don't try to have the perfect budget for the perfect month, because we never have those. You should spend every dollar in paper before the month begins.  Give every dollar of your income a name. And, if you're married, agree on a budget with your spouse (if you aren't working together, it's almost impossible to win.

You are the president of You, Inc.

Think for a moment. What would you do if you didn’t have any payments? Imagine what you would do with the extra money, every month. You would put some money away for retirement, money away for college, money away for that dream vacation.

I am an amateur budgeter, but I am willing to learn. Will you?

As Dave Ramsey puts it, "If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else."

The Power of Self-Development

“A formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune;” Jim Rohn

Three years ago I did not know about Jim Rohn, Darren Hardy, Brian Tracy, or any of the industry’s top speakers, and you could see it in my daily actions; overweight, smoking, no concrete goals, no great aspirations, no nothing. I’m not saying I have a perfect life right now, but there were immense improvements. I’m enjoying my life, family and friends, have big hairy goals to be achieved (run a marathon, half-ironman, climb the Aconcagua Mountain) and I’m happy.

Self-Development articles, tapes, conferences, have taught me that I can accomplish anything I want by working really hard at it. But working hard on a powerful goal is fun, because it’s something you really want, so, although challenging, it’s also truly enjoyable. The secret is to write it down, put an end-date and commit to accomplishing it (something I still struggle with).

So what are you waiting? Make a list of what you would like to have / accomplish in the next year, 5 years and 10 years, make a plan, get somebody to accompany you and keep you on track (goal buddy), and enjoy the ride. It’s worth it!

First Week of the Challenge

It's been 1 week already since I started the 100 day challenge, focusing on the 4 goals.

Regarding weight, the weigh has not shown much change, but I'm still consistent with my eating, trying to exercise and staying off alcohol.
Budgetwise we're still on target, writting down absolutely every cent that goes out and checking it against the budgeted figure.
I'm also on lesson 3 on Coaching groundwork, focusing on one lesson per week.
Lastly, with the blog I am keeping up with the writting, although I need better and more profound themes.
With the 7 habits I'm on # 3, and I'm not advancing because I want to complete the tasks at the end of each chapter.

Overall I think I'm OK, though I dont feel as focused as I probably should be. It all boils down to CONSISTENCY, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout the challenge.

Keep the dream alive!
Failure is NOT an option!
Great quotes to keep the momentum.

See you next time,
Fernando

Setting of Goals

Three years ago, while trying out an MLM company that didnt work out for me, I was introduced to Jim Rohm and personal development. Until then I vaguely knew about goals setting (only New Years resolutions, SMART goals, etc) but never sat down to formally write goals. Three years later I'm still learning, but I understand how they work and how powerful they can be.

As Jim Rohn puts it, "the greatest value in life is not what you get, the greatest value in life is what you become. Set out a goal to become a millionaire, not just for the money, but for what it will make of you to achieve it. Set the kind of goals thay will make something of you to achieve them."

Three years ago I was overweight and smoking, and the most I could run without gasping for air was a couple of meters. Right now I am smoke free (since November '09), 50 pounds below my all time high and on target to reach my ultimate goal, and registered for my first full marathon in January 2012 after running several 5K (2 of them alongside my 8 year-old), a 10K, a half-marathon, and a sprint triathlon. My next objectives? A half-ironman, and maybe, just maybe, a full ironman.

What have I become in the meantime? healthy, agile, a better companion and role model for my son and wife. I cannot stress the importance of goal setting in my life, and I believe it can work wonders on everybody. One really, really important point about Goals setting and achievement? Discipline. Discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment.

So, start a new journey today, and set new goals!

-Fernando