RossTraining.com Blog

Most who are familiar with Randy Pausch first learned of him through his Last Lecture.  The Youtube video of his speech has received almost 6 million views already.  If you haven’t yet made time to watch the speech, I encourage you to make time (make, not find) to watch it in its entirety.  Many think nothing of wasting 60 minutes to watch a weekly reality TV show.  Skip one week and instead watch Pausch’s lecture.

But don’t stop at the last lecture…  I also encourage you to watch a lesser known video from Pausch.   This video includes his thoughts on time management.  If there was anyone who knew how to make the most out of limited time, it was Randy Pausch.

I’ve always considered myself competent in terms of time management.  Yet, over the years, my business has grown, my family has grown (wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs), and the days just seem to be shorter and shorter.  There are definitely moments when I don’t know how I can get everything done.

When I first started my website in 2001, I decided that I would personally respond to every email.  Perhaps it helped that I was only responding to 3 or 4 emails.  My email duty took about 5 minutes a day.  Things have changed however.  A day doesn’t pass without less than 100 emails.  I still respond to everyone personally however.  In my opinion, if you run a business, you better be there to answer questions.  If you can’t respond, hire someone who can.  If I walk into a store and have a question, I expect someone to help.  Many online businesses seem to have dropped this simple courtesy however.  I recently purchased a piece of training equipment and haven’t heard from the company in several weeks.  I’ve sent emails regarding the supposed shipment and have yet to receive a response.  I still don’t know if my order was processed.  And in case they are reading, I can gladly list your company name for thousands to see on this blog

Anyways, back to the subject of time management.  I once had a customer call and ask to speak with customer support.  I told him that he was speaking with customer support.  Before I had a chance to say “This is Ross,” he cut me off and asked to speak with the billing department. He wanted to add a book to a shirt order, and wanted to change the shirt size from medium to large.  I told him that he is speaking to billing.  He then asked if it was possible to speak with the shipping department.  Once again I told him he is speaking to the shipping department.  He then thought I was joking, so asked if I knew how to get in touch with Ross.  I told him that he already was.  In the time since, I’ve received several similar calls.  I also receive emails with messages such as “If Ross sees this, can you please ask him…”

I typically respond by saying that if anyone but Ross is seeing this, we both have a problem.  I’m the only one here, so don’t expect anyone else to read anything.

In addition to responding to emails and shipping orders, I’m also in the gym each day working with athletes, often for several hours at a time.  If we are traveling to spar, it may fill the better half of a day.  When someone emails me however, they don’t care about where we traveled for sparring.  They have a question and are looking for an answer.  I make the most of my time and get back to everyone, one by one.

Perhaps one day I’ll need to hire someone.  I honestly don’t know.  Regardless of what happens however, I will continue to make the absolute most out of each minute of every day.  And if the time comes when I no longer enjoy my job, I will make a change.  In my opinion, these two simple elements should be a part of everyone’s life.  Love what you do and make the most of your time.  Without time management skills, this wouldn’t be possible (for me).  I don’t know if I would love my job if I couldn’t keep up and was stressed out 24/7.  It would be difficult to find joy in such an environment.

Fortunately, the video above includes many useful ideas regarding time management.  If you find yourself struggling in this department, set aside some time (a one time investment in time) and you’ll likely pick up on several valuable tips.  I certainly learned some new ideas that I’ve already started to implement.

Anyways, that’s enough for this sleep deprived blog entry.  I’ve gone off on a few tangents and may not have made a whole lot of sense.  Hopefully my original message is heard however.  Make some time to watch Pausch’s video.  The more I watch from him, the more I realize that we can all learn something from Randy Pausch.

Ross

The video below serves as a follow up to a past entry. Within that entry, I discussed the potential fault in taking someone else’s word for the way things should be.

There are different types of people in this world. Some automatically heed the advice of others without questioning it. They never search for their own answers. If so-and-so said so, it must be true. The puppet master is always right, as the follower is lost without someone or something to follow. Others (such as those highlighted in the video above) are too proud and stubborn, and rarely take someone else’s word. They will hear what others have to say, but hearing and believing are not the same.

I am a proud member of the latter group. I can’t imagine living any other way. I will gladly listen to the advice of others, but I don’t assume it to be true. I’d rather come to my own conclusion. No one lives inside my body. No one can tell me what I can or cannot do.

Even science isn’t always right. Humankind has a history of mistakes. Who knows what will happen in the next 100 years. I’m sure that future generations will look back and laugh at some of the ideas that we assumed to be true. And if you don’t have the patience to wait it out 100 years, start following a current scientific journal. Conflicting studies are regularly released. Who is right when one study “proves” fault in another? I’m sure both parties were pretty damn sure they had it right the first time around.

Often times, we are not as smart as we think. Humans are far from perfect. We all make mistakes and even the know-it-alls have been wrong before. When someone tells you what you can or cannot do, how do we know it isn’t one of those times when human error has reared its ugly head? Wouldn’t you rather find out for yourself?

As a kid, I remember hearing how children of divorced parents were more likely to have this problem, that problem, and then another problem. The list of problems seemed endless. According to these researchers, I was doomed. My first thought however was that they were full of sh*t. They don’t know me. They didn’t study me. I’m not like anyone else, so how can the results of others somehow determine what will happen to me?

This is how I thought as a kid, and in many ways I still have this mentality today. Some may say that I’m ignorant or stubborn, or a combination of both (and then some), but no one else lives my life, so I honestly don’t care. Why worry about what someone else thinks? Who cares what so-and-so said I can do?

As much as we know about the human body, there is far more that we still don’t know. The complexity of our inner workings stretch far beyond our own comprehension.

As a coach, I will gladly train the youngster who walks into the gym with an unstoppable mindset. I want the kid who will try to fly if I tell him he can. It is these people who often exceed their supposed potential (according to others).  Believing in yourself and going against the grain when necessary will often take you places that you’ll never reach otherwise.

As the legendary Babe Ruth once said,

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.

Ross

Time flies. It’s now been a month since my daughter was born. It seems like it all happened just yesterday.

And since I don’t know if we’ll have more children, there is something I’d like to address while the memories are still fresh. First of all, we (men) have it easy. Labor is a literal term. It’s hard work! My wife was in labor for over 24 hours without any pain medication. She was on her feet for 90 percent of the time, working through one contraction at a time. She was obviously tired, but taking a break wasn’t an option.  

I sat by her watching in amazement.  This labor was much different from our first child.  My wife was truly a warrior!  Personally, I was exhausted, but you can be damn sure I didn’t mention it!  I had the easy job as labor coach.  My wife was the one fighting the actual battle!  Watching her fight through one contraction at a time was really incredible. 

Mothers deserve a lot of credit for going through what they go through. Labor can come at any time. The only certainty is pain. We just don’t know when. It isn’t like a fighter who knows that he’ll be in the ring at 9PM on Friday night. Labor is unpredictable. Living pregnant for 9 months and then facing the uncertainty (and certain pain) is really incredible.

Yet, as incredible as it is, women have been giving birth since the beginning of time. Labor isn’t new. It is something that all mothers have gone through. And please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not at all minimizing the monumental task of delivery. On the contrary, the birthing process shows me that we are all much more capable than we realize. Ask any mother how labor compares to 30 minutes of exercise. The most intense workout in the world is a walk in the park in comparison.

If a woman is pregnant, the baby has got to come out. Staying pregnant forever isn’t a choice. When choice is removed from the equation, we all become much more capable.

The same can be said of many situations in life. For example, I’ve had several emails in the past month from individuals asking about my sleep (or lack of it) since the baby was born. Everyone wants to know how I can function on such little sleep. The answer is really quite simple however. There isn’t a choice. If one of my children needs me, I will be there. Parents of infants know exactly what I’m talking about. My children are far more important than sleep. Once you are a parent, you are a parent for life. Parenting isn’t periodized or tapered. If the baby wakes up crying, we don’t have the option of hitting the snooze button. You get up and care for your child.

I cannot stop providing food for my family because I am tired. It isn’t a choice. When you have a job, you do it. Sure there are choices in terms of different careers, but we all need to work and pay taxes. It is part of life. The bill collectors and IRS don’t care if we are tired. We do what we need to do, and if that means working with less sleep than normal, so be it. No one said life was easy, and if they did, they were full of sh*t!

For another example, think back to when you were in school. As a student, you show up each day and do your work. We all went through school. As a kid, I didn’t choose to attend school. It was chosen for me. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there were days I would have rather stayed home. It wasn’t a choice however. My mother didn’t negotiate. Going to school was the law!

Making Your Own Choices

The time will come however when we must make choices for ourselves. Consider the high school student who heads off to college. He is no longer living with Mom and Dad. He must make the right choices for himself. He must wake up for class. He must make time to study. Will he study, or will he go out partying instead? He alone must choose.

And while this entry is somewhat random, the concept of choice is closely related to health, fitness, and sport. We make choices each and every day. Personally, I choose to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. I could choose to drink beer and eat pizza all day, but I choose not to. Life isn’t always about what we can or cannot do in terms of capability. More often than not, our lives are based on the choices that we make. As William Jennings Bryan once said,

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.”

Unfortunately, many are either misinformed in terms of what decisions to make, or simply do not believe that they are capable of achieving anything worthwhile. There are many who honestly believe that they are not physically capable of improving. More often than not however, a solution is not only possible, but right around the corner.

The first step is actively choosing to change, and then believing in your decisions.

If someone else chose for you, you wouldn’t think twice. You would just do it (just like going to grade school). If someone put a gun to my head and told me to jump, you can be damn sure that I’m about to fly! More often than not, the ability is there. It’s always been there. It may be dormant however, which is why you must choose to wake up and use it.

How your life unfolds will largely depend on the choices that you make going forward.  Don’t underestimate the power of choice.

Ross

When I was younger, I often wondered how my life would unfold.  What would I be?  Where would I live?  What would I do?  The list of self-asked questions was endless.  Sure, I had dreams as a young fighter, but after my hand injuries, I didn’t know what would happen.  Everything that I wanted was gone.  I was miserable and depressed.

Fortunately, I got over feeling sorry for myself and woke my ass up.  I eventually found my way back to the gym and started helping the young fighters.  Soon after I realized that my injuries were a blessing in disguise.  They opened up a door that I would have never found as an active fighter. 

Here I am many years later.  I’m in married, in my 30’s, and have two wonderful kids.  Ten years ago, I would have never guessed that I would be sitting here mentioning my two children.  I didn’t even think I’d be married.  So sure, having a family is a bit of surprise to me, but then again, producing kids isn’t a difficult task for most men.  The latest census figures certainly support this hypothesis. 

And please don’t take this the wrong way, as my kids are my life.  They mean everything to me.  I’d give my life for them.  The point of this entry isn’t about having kids however.  The message that I’m trying to convey is that we all have the ability to define (or redefine) our lives.  Each day presents this opportunity. 

An Honor For Me

A few months ago, I opened my mail and was shocked to find a Flag and certificate from the US Marines Corps.  Below are pictures of the framed certificate, as well as a close up. 

I was blown away after opening the package.  Ten years ago, I would have never guessed that the Marines would send me a Flag that had been flown in my honor.  To say that I was honored is a huge understatement.  The Marines put their lives on the line to honorably serve our Nation.  To be recognized for helping the Marines, who protect our country each and every day, is worth more to me than words can describe.

Where Am I Going With This?

Fortunately, I’m not here to toot my own horn and impress you.  I’m not a big shot or high roller who walks around like his sh*t doesn’t stink.  There are still fighters that I’ve known for years who don’t even know I have a website.  I’m happy keeping to myself and have no interest in impressing anyone.  There are better things to do than live your life wondering what someone else thinks about you.  We’ll all be 6 feet under one day, so why bother with the trivial nonsense. 

My point with this entry is that life presents many opportunities.  None of us know where we will be in 5 of 10 years.  My advice is to embrace the uncertainty and pursue even your most challenging goals.  To think where I came from and where I am now is still mind boggling to me.   I’m still a regular guy who is far from rich, but I’m rich in other ways.  I’m happy with my life.  I love what I do and have a wonderful family.  I’ve lived at both ends of the spectrum and am glad I figured things out while I was still young.  We’ve all had our heads screwed on backwards at some point, but we can all snap out of it and get back on track. 

Time does fly by, but that doesn’t mean we cannot improve and enjoy ourselves during the whirlwind of life.  I see so many people who have given up on life, many who are younger than me!  Let the past be the past and get on with it.  So you messed up and fumbled an opportunity.  Who hasn’t?  Your life doesn’t need to be defined by past mistakes.  It only is if you let it.  A mistake or setback is nothing but an opportunity for you to get up off the ground and redefine who you are as a person. 

As Napoléon Bonaparte once said,

“After making a mistake or suffering a misfortune, the man of genius always gets back on his feet.”

Get up, shake it off, and get on with life.  It comes and goes in a flash, so get up and find your true passion and then pursue it with relentless desire.

Ten years from now, you’ll be happy that you did.

Ross

In a past entry, I commented on those who ask others what they are capable of in life. One example was the aspiring fighter who asked me if he was too old to pursue the sport of boxing.  He wanted the formula that would calculate (beforehand) what he could achieve.  Such an approach to life is flawed in many ways.  Perhaps most importantly, you end up living your life based on someone else’s opinion of what you can do. 

This past weekend I came across a quote that was related to this subject.  I was flipping through an old book that I’ve had for many years (Leadership Secrets of the Rogue Warrior, by Richard Marcinko).  It’s a quick (and fun) read that you can tear through in a day.  Marcinko has some interesting thoughts on the world. 

One of the more useful quotes is listed below:

“Conventional wisdom is no wisdom at all.  Conventional wisdom is taking somebody else’s word for the way things are…  It’s the followers of this world who rely on assumption.  Not the leaders.”

This is a powerful statement, which is unfortunately ignored by many in this world.  Much of the world instead promotes sameness.  When you go against the grain, you will often be criticized and doubted.  Almost every successful business owner who has started a business from the ground up had to deal with their share of doubters along the way (often friends and family).  

Just think of some of the truly successful entrepreneurs in this world.   Bill Gates didn’t take a class on how to become the next Bill Gates.  No one told him how to do what he did.  He didn’t live his life based on conventional wisdom.  He instead took chances and set out to do things his own way.  It shouldn’t come as a surprise that other successful entrepreneurs have also followed unchartered waters on their way to the top (ex. Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Larry Ellison, etc.)   

Application To The Sporting World

Oddly enough, this entry has nothing to do with becoming the next Bill Gates.  It is actually closely related to training and sport. 

If you want to become a special athlete, you must differentiate yourself from the rest.  You can’t simply do what everyone else does and expect to somehow come out on top.  Training to become the best (at anything) means going above and beyond the idea of sameness. Consider the following example…

Suppose when you wake up tomorrow morning, a well known athletic trainer has put up a new 2-month routine on his website.  He has 1,000 dedicated readers who all religiously begin the workout.  At the end of the two month routine, how can any of the individuals expect to differentiate him or herself from the pack, when they’ve all done exactly the same thing? 

If you never raise the bar and set higher standards for yourself, how can you expect to rise up above others?  Great athletes differentiate themselves from the rest.  They go above and beyond what is expected of them. 

I never listen to others who tell me what I can achieve, because no one knows how much I’m willing to sacrifice and endure to achieve my goals.  There are times when I don’t even know.  How the hell will someone else have the answers for me? 

Take these words to heart.  Write your own future.  Most of us have more potential than we will ever come close to achieving. 

Ross

Researchers recently analyzed the bone mass and genetics of a (then) 113 year old man.  The obvious question was how and why has this man lived such a long life?  The full story is available at the link below:

Lifestyle or Genes?  The Health Secrets of a 114 Year Old Man

One quote of interest from the story reads as follows:

However, researchers do point out the fact that the excellent health of this family, and of the 113-year-old man in particular, is probably due to a Mediterranean diet, the temperate climate of the island, a lack of stress and regular physical activity.

*****

Now we obviously know the benefits of eating well and exercising regularly.  There are thousands of books, websites, videos, etc. all dedicated to fitness and nutrition.  No one is denying the importance of these two elements.  Many seem to overlook another piece of the puzzle however.  In the quote above, it was also mentioned that the man lived with a lack of stress. 

The idea of living a life without stress and negativity isn’t new.  Remember this entry?  Jack Lalanne emphasized the importance of regular exercise, good nutrition, and positive thinking.   Unfortunately, many people in this world seem to overlook the role of positive thinking.  Just because you exercise and eat well doesn’t mean that you are a good person.  Exercising doesn’t put you in a higher class.  You could still be a complete assh*le regardless of your fitness habits. 

We all know some negative people.  These people bitch and moan about the world to whoever is willing to listen.  They complain about the government, gas prices, the economy, their job, their life, their neighbors, other drivers, their pets, other pets, etc.  It is a never ending whine-fest about how bad the world is and how bad their life seems to be within it.  I’ve come across these people at the gym.  As stated above, the fact that you exercise doesn’t mean jack!

Now back to the whine-fest…  What purpose does the whining serve?  Does it bring about change?  Or does it simply bring everyone else down around you?  Think about it…  I’m not happy about the rising gas prices, but what good is it going to do to cry about it all day?  Will I wake up tomorrow and find free gas in my car?  I doubt it.

So why waste your time complaining about the world every chance you can?  Don’t you have anything positive to say?  If not, why don’t you shut your mouth?  Have you ever thought that maybe some of the people that you whine to don’t want to listen?  Perhaps they don’t want to be tainted by your constant negativity? 

We all know that there are problems in the world.  Go watch the evening news.  There are some true scum bags in the world.  I don’t need to be reminded of it every minute of the day.  Sure, there are assh*les out there, but there are also plenty of good, honest people.  Why not focus on of the good?  I don’t need a doctor to confirm that constant negativity and stress are far from healthy.  Mr. and Mrs. Negative need not spread their poison to others.  Stop feeling so bad about yourself and the world around you and do something positive with your time… because guess what?  That time will expire at some point.  That is one guarantee that I can make to everyone on this planet.  Time is limited, so stop wasting it by bitching and moaning about everything that is wrong with the world. 

Life is what you make of it, so start making it more positive.  You’ll be a healthier (in many ways) person because of it.

Ross

The recent story of Army Spc. Benton Thames (pictured above) truly shows the power of the mind.  The full story is provided at the link below:

Soldier stands at attention for hours to watch LSU championship

My brief summary does not do justice to the full story, so please take a moment to read it in full.  Thames essentially shattered his personal best time (and all others) holding the Ready One position with his 9.5 pound M-14 rifle. 

How did he do it?  Well for starters, he was not in training as if this was a sporting event.  He held the position simply because he wanted something bad enough to endure the pain.  His mind made a decision, and his body came along for the ride.

When the mind takes over, this scenario is common.  Unfortunately, many people in this world grossly underestimate the potential of the mind.  For example, many trainers spend long hours researching rep ranges, periodization strategies, and other performance based protocols.  Yet regardless of what answers our research provides, most fail to consider and recognize the power of the mind. 

I’ve known athletes with average natural talent and haphazard training plans who went on to become champions.  Most gurus would claim that they are doing everything all wrong.  But guess what, it is difficult to argue with results.  What produces the results?  The will to win.  The refusal to give up.  The decision to fight through pain and do everything in your power to ensure victory.  The list goes on and on. 

These qualities don’t have anything to do with exercise selection or what form of periodization you support.  When your mind REALLY wants something, you’ll often surprise yourself and exceed even your highest expectations. 

Think about it…  Suppose someone took a loaded machine gun and put it to your head.  If they told you do keep going, you would keep going.  The potential is usually there.  It simply needs a higher power to unlock it.  Extreme desire is one example (ex. in the case of Benton Thames).  Fear is another (ex. if your life was threatened).

Now, I’m not suggesting that we put our lives on the line during each training session.  That is not the point of this entry.  The message is more subtle.  Recognize that you can often do more than you realize.  You don’t need to risk your health, but pushing yourself a bit more than normal is something most could do more often. 

I’ve been called a stubborn SOB for as long as I can remember.  I take it as a compliment.  If I want something, I’m going to get it.  I never believe that I can’t do something.  The analytical part in me would say that I’m not being realistic, but forget about logic.  The mind doesn’t work that way.  When you are TRULY determined, you can often defy logic.  It doesn’t need to make sense.  Think less and do more. 

Just do it!

Ross

Be prepared for a good laugh…

Sticks To Stools - 7 Random Objects Sold As Exercise Machines

As you read through each product, it becomes abundently clear that the inventors have absolutely no interest in your well being.  Dollar signs are the sole concern.  If it can sell, it will sell.  Whether or not it works is almost irrelevant. 

Let The Buyer Beware? 

The argument to my rant is Let The Buyer Beware.  But what does that really mean?  Is the industry so pathetic that we must always believe that the seller is corrupt?  How did the fitness industry become so ridiculous?  Passing a stool off as an exercise tool is as bad as selling a brick as a hamburger. 

Are other industries so pathetic?  Would the car industry try to pass off a rock as a new environmentally friendly SUV?  When we buy a new car, should we question whether it actually drives?  Where do we draw the line between clever marketing and total bullsh*t?  

Suppose I buy a stool to lose weight, and it doesn’t work?  Is it my fault for buying the stool?  Should my ignorance be held against me?  Perhaps I didn’t make a wise investment.  I can understand this argument, but how is the consumer to blame when he or she has been conned by an entire team of marketing specialists?  Not everyone studies exercise science. There are plenty of other career choices in the world.  You could be a highly regarded stock broker, yet not know the difference between a ligament and a tendon.  What you consider common knowledge is often completely foreign to others.  We should all know the mistake of assumption…

What is the lesson to be learned?  The answer is simple.  No one can make any promises for you (about you).  I can’t promise that you’ll read this site and lose weight.  I have almost no control over it.  Perhaps you can find some useful information here.  Perhaps you can find some motivation.  At the end of the day however, it is YOU who must put forth the effort.  I can’t hold your hand and do the work for you. 

When you see a product that promises the world, realize that you are reading a load of BS.  The greatest gym in the world is worthless if you never get up, bust your ass, and use it.  Your own personal effort and motivation is more important than the greatest tool.

I don’t need anything to get in shape.  It is something that I want, so I’ll put in the work and get the job done.  This holds true regardless of my surroundings.  Equipment is always optional.  You can exercise your body a million ways without anything.  Some people go for it, while others sit around and wait for a new breakthrough to come along on late night infomercials.

News flash… 

You may as well wait for pigs to fly, as it’s a far more likely scenario.

Ross 

More classic advice from Jack…

In case you didn’t notice, I’m a big fan of Jack Lalanne.  He’s been speaking the truth about health and nutrition for longer than many of us have been alive.   In the video above, he preaches the importance of fresh/real food.  Eat more fruits, veggies, etc.  

Jack has been preaching this message for years, yet there are still people who ignore his advice.  When I go to the grocery store, I’m shocked at some of the crap that I see loaded in shopping carts.  I’m surprised that some of these items can even be classified as “food” products.  Are they really intended for consumption?

Everyone wants to buy a new diet book, but everyone seems to forget the power of common sense.  Was Jack’s message really that complicated?  It all seems pretty straightforward to me.  Much of his message was based on three simple steps.

1. Regular exercise

2. Good nutrition

3. Positive thinking

Invest some time in yourself.  Make time to include these three simple steps in your daily plan.  That’s it.  Make it happen.  It’s so easy to do, and the benefits are beyond obvious.  Rather than wondering how to make time for these three steps, you should be wondering how the hell you could live without them. 

A lot of people complain about life and are miserable all day.  If they can catch your ear, they’ll bitch and moan about how bad the world has been to them.  They seem to believe the world owes them something.  In their eyes, we all should be handed a silver spoon at the delivery room.

News flash…

Life is what you make of it.  No one said it would be easy, so don’t expect it to be.  Adding the three steps above is easy however.  And by doing so, you’ll improve your quality of living.  You’ll rule your body, rather than letting it rule you.

Seems like a pretty simple decision to me, but what do I know…

Ross

I’ve had a lot questions come in from people interested in a fitness (training) based career path.  I typically welcome the enthusiasm, but it seems that more and more people are asking these questions for all the wrong reasons.  The questions often have nothing to do with training, and are instead focused solely on money, money, and more money.  How much can I make?  Can I get rich?  What’s the fastest way?  The list goes on and on…

Now, I’m not suggesting that earning a living isn’t important.  I too have a wife and son, with another child on the way.  I need to provide for my family.  I also need to look my children in the eye however and teach them valuable lessons such as the importance of honesty and integrity.  There is only one way to raise my children and that is by leading from the front, and leading by example. 

In the video below, Jack Lalanne delivers a powerful message.  You can literally feel his enthusiasm.  He honestly cares about helping others achieve their goals.  

As I said in my most recent article, if you are looking to get rich, find another industry, as this isn’t the right (or best) place for you.  If money is your only driving force, join the finance industry.  If you want a part of this industry, please share Jack’s passion.  If you don’t, do us all a favor and don’t waste your time, as your entrance will only make others more leery of an already shady industry.  It’s gotten to the point that many people will automatically assume that you are just another snake oil salesman.  You must continually prove that you are not, as someone will always question your motive.   

Now, if you love what you do and are passionate about your work, it won’t faze you. You’ll become successful without trying.  Look at Jack Lalanne for the perfect example.  I’m guessing that he’s done pretty well for himself financially.  He did so by staying true to his word and honestly caring about the success of others.  We can all learn from his example.   

Focus on becoming better at what you do and the financial aspect will eventually take care of itself. 

Ross