Shawn Phillips | Start Strong Monday

We’re obsessed with results, manic to cross the finish line so we can get to celebrating our terrific success.

We covet the gold medal yet find the training, competing and even winning stuff—all that hard work so “old school.” Do we have to waste time with the “getting there” part?

Can’t we just cut to the chase, scoop up the rewards and move on?

And there are plenty of “quick fix solutions” and over-caffeinated spokespeople eager to promise you any sort of success, without any sort of effort, for only three easy payments of $49.95.

Why not? It’s in high demand. The only thing stopping them is the amount of money they can fit into their sacks on the way to the bank.

On the small scale we celebrate all the kids who show up to compete as winners, on the big stage the media celebrates the likes of Paris Hilton, a phenomena that makes alien life seem ordinary.

So what’s the issue?

It’s a seismic fault in the fabric and flow of human motivation.

In a recent post, Get Your Own Lion Tamer, I posed the question “what if the trainer gave the lion the reward before he performed the trick?” I ‘spose the lion would eat, sit back, rest a little and promptly dine on the trainer.

Safe to say the system of reward would be broken—there’d be no system.

Same goes for taming ourselves, our inner lions. With the focus on the outcome, achievement has been uncoupled from the challenge. Problem is that there’s a natural flow to things and challenge precedes achievement. In the absence of one the other does not even exist.

In my 120 mile bike ride had I focused solely on the result, getting there, driving would have been much quicker and easier. Ah, but would there have been any achievement associated with it?

None, zilch, zero.

But I didn’t drive, I pedaled my bike to the finish line. I accepted the challenge, not for accolades, rewards, or recognition.

I challenged myself and succeeded. I grew from it, become part of a select group and I felt great. It was a powerful experience of achievement properly following a considerable challenge.

Lean & Fit, Effortlessly

Let’s say somehow, through some yet to be explained mystery of modern science, you manage to shed every ounce of bodyfat you ever wanted to lose without ever lifting a finger; without any effort whatsoever.

How would you feel?

Better? Sure. Lighter? No doubt. But while you’d look different would you be different? Fact is you’d have missed the transformative experience; the journey that changes you. You’d be absent the satisfaction, experience, and confidence and all the rewards gained through effort sustained.

You’d really have only the superficial aspects, the external recognition but none of the powerful life transforming stuff found only in the journey, not the destination.

On the side of each box of my premium nutrition shake,Full Strength (think what Myoplex could have evolved to) there’s a letter. In my last line I wrote, “…may you enjoy a life of challenge, achievement and contribution, a LIFE at Full Strength.”

Those words are more accurate than I could have imagined when I wrote them for it’s truly the formula for a life at full strength, in that order. First, comes the challenge, which leads to the achievement (which is in direct proportion to your challenge, I might add) and then you’re @ Strength—a resource of wisdom and experience to serve others.

It’s all in the right order, the natural flow minus one not so small oversight. Yes, I admit it. I missed an important step in the process: Celebration. Don’t forget to stop and savor and celebrate your successes. Celebration is actually an integral part of the achievement, it’s the thing that grounds it, charges it and inspires you to your next level.

How are you challenging yourself? Where are you aiming for your inspiration, your brilliant future?

No matter what achievements you’re seeking, may you enjoy many well-earned celebrations in the months and years ahead!

Meet The Author, Shawn

Known as "The Fitness Philosopher," for his deep, clear approach to the cutting through the fitness conundrum, Shawn is a 20+ year veteran in the field of Lifestyle Fitness and Peak Performance. Author of several best-selling book, with one of the most photographed physiques in history, Shawn, with his brother, Bill Phillips (Body for LIFE) catapulted EAS sports nutrition into the world leader and Muscle Media magazine and the documentary movie, Body of Work. He created the first computerized training system in PowerBuilding and the popular Variable Split System for Muscle Mass. Now, in his 40's, a husband and father of two young children, Shawn is passionate about helping busy, high-achieving "men in the middle" enjoy vibrant, energized, amazing, Full Strength lives! He has recently created the World’s 1st and only true premium nutrition shake for men, Full Strength — clinically proven to build muscle, burn fat and boost energy. His most recent book, Strength for LIFE is the "how to" guide to a Lifestyle of Fitness Freedom.