40 Strategy Blog

The Measure Success Podcast is now on Spotify. Here is the direct link . We interview top organizational leaders on how they measure success in business and their life. (BTW - 107 push ups and counting)

I have become a huge fan of Darren Hardy, author of The Compound Effect and The Entreprenaur Roller Coaster. Join me in the 5-day challenge this upcoming week to change your life. BTW - Today, 104 push ups and counting...

Two years ago, I had the fortunate opportunity to get one 'nose bleed' ticket to watch the Super Bowl in Atlanta. I was able to see the team that I had rooted for as a kid (Boston area native) and watch the New England Patriots win their 6th Super Bowl title. Yesterday, Tom Brady won his 7th Super Bowl to put another layer of concrete on his foundation as the "Greatest Of All Time" at the age of 43 years old. As my father had lived in Tampa Bay area for 30th years and their QB was named Tom, it was an easy decision to cheer on the Bucs. Congratulations to the Tampa Bay organization! In a much, much smaller note, I am still building on the Compound Effect written by Darren Hardy. One additional push-up, EVERYDAY. Today, was 100 push-ups. I am doing 3 sets in 2 minute intervals from the start of the first push up. First set 40 reps, second set 30 reps, third set 30 reps. Keep working and building each day to make a difference. #betheexception

4 minutes, 54 seconds. This is how long my current push out workout takes. Today, I completed 90 push ups. I do 30 push ups, starting every two minutes. It is good workout. Try it. Started with one, 90 days ago. Tomorrow, we do 91.

On the last 40 day challenge, there was no coffee for 40 days. Today, was the first day back to Starbucks and it was lovely! 81 push ups today. 41 in the first set timed and then started the next 40 at 2 minutes. Very difficult. I may have to break this up into 3 sets.

Next 40 Days (Days 81-120) This is not finalized but here is the general plan. 1. Push Ups - Continue push ups but break-up into 2 sets. No days off. 81 push ups will be the start here, add one per day. 2. Stretches - Continuing stretching plan 3. Alternative Hand and Leg - Continue but break-up into 2 sets. Starting at 41 total. Add one per day. 4. Goggins Strech - Cumulative starting at 81 seconds. 5. Stopping one game. Maybe? 1. Continue no Starbucks?

After 76 consecutive days of push ups, I was unable to complete 76 push ups in under 2 minutes. It took 2:17.

Mission Completed - On Day 33 with no Starbucks and 73 consecutive days of push ups, increasing one per day. I completed 73 push ups in less than 2 minutes which is the top possible score for the military for ages 37-41. This also exceeded the most for ages 17-21 which is 71 push ups. Next Mission - 75 Push Ups in 2 minutes which is for ages 22-26. BTW - this is not easy, but the incremental efforts have helped reach this goal. Let's go!

There are those who simple not believe in certain things even if they see it with their own eyes. For example, one of those rare occurrences is seing the "Green Flash" at the sunset. When the last part of the sun is left over the horizon, sometimes a green flash will occur. I believe I have seen several of them. Most people mock me. Here a Wikipedia article for the skeptics. Today, I accomplished 70 push ups in less than 2 minutes without having my knees touch the ground in one complete set. Prior to this push-up challenge, I would not have believed this was possible. Keep pushing yourself even when others don't believe. Even when you don't believe.

Everday when we wake up, we have a choice. We either move forward or stay still. For those who stay still, they fall behind. Is there really a choice between the two? Wake up, move forward and make a difference. 67 push ups completed in one set. If you are new to this, start your push up program today. Just simply do 6 push ups. Or 27. Or 67. You choose.

Still going strong! 66 push ups in one set; less than 2 minutes timed. It is definitely getting more difficult. In 1988, I was in 8th grade and there was a push up challenge. The maximum that I could do then with a lot less weight was 63 push ups. I have passed that mark for the past few days. I did not expect that heading into this challenge. My next goal is to reach the 70 push up mark. In the 37-41 year old group , the military would grade me 93 points out of 100. 73 would equal to 100 points. There is no age chart for my age group. I will try for that 73 mark and most likely start breaking into 2 sets. PS - Still no Starbucks for 26 days...that's also broke a recent memory record.

80% of New Year's Resolutions fail according to Kathy Caprino of Forbes magazine based on a number of different studies. The odds are against you. Instead of failing again, try this simple approach. In our 40 Strategy Navigation Survey Assessment, 80% of Strategic Initiatives fail to start on-time. Do you think there is a correlation? START TODAY! Do not wait. Do not wait until Monday, January 4th. Do not wait until you are... no longer tired recovered from your hangover feeling better finished watching the bowl game waiting for the weather to improve no longer afraid afraid to fail. Your New Year will start out happier, if you Start NOW. Really, Start Now! You will be ahead of the 80% who are doomed to fail. START NOW. Just do one rep, one letter, one walk, one phone call. Just START! And you will already have a better chance to succeed this year. If you are interested to take our 40 Strategy Navigation Assessment on how to find your other gaps in your strategy executio...

Four Reflections From 2020 Number One - Expect the Unexpected Let’s reflect on 2020 for a moment. From the devastating fires in Australia, to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quitting the royal family, the passing of Kobe Bryant, the impeachment of the President, the Stock Market crash, Black Lives Matter Protests, Murder Hornets, West Coast fires, Crazy Election Night, Stock Market recovery...and that Coronavirus thing. Weddings, graduations, high school sports, vacations were upended. Trade shows gone. Dining in a restaurant was a special event. Zoom. Thanksgiving, Christmas, you get the picture. You lived it. My personal favorite was losing my appendix 100 miles from home. As a person who loves strategy and execution, this year required more flexibility and patience than ever before. Admittedly, I did not handle everything with grace. Yet, life always changes and learning to deal with ambiguity is a great skill because things Always change. That is a Constant. This year was ju...

Do your push ups! That's right, do your push ups before you start your Christmas and open your presents and eat your cinnamon rolls. You will feel so much better if you do that. Today is 55 push ups and mission completed with 55 consecutive in one set. What a gift! Getting your exercise done before the day starts gives you momentum and energy throughout the day. Making a difference for your health is the greatest gift that you can provide for yourself so you have the ability to make a greater difference for others. And by the Way, Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

I have many favorite days of the year. Christmas, New Year's Eve, 4th of July, anniversary, my birthday. Those are the easy ones. But not many people call Winter Solstice their favorite day of year. It is definitely one of mine. Here in western Oregon, this is the shortest day of the year, in Portland we have only 8 hours and 42 minutes. Grateful, that I am not in Alaska. Do I dance around fires and celebrate this day - absolutely not. But, what I do love is everyday gets longer until summer. Enjoy the extra minutes of daylight - everyday. By June 21st, we will have 15 hours and 41 minutes of daylight. PS - 51 push ups. 1 set. Let's go.

The anticipation of reaching new goals can excite you to move forward or they can scare you to stop. I have had concerns whether I can reach these new goals. Can I do 20 push ups in a row, 30, 40 or 50? On day 35, I was very concerned - will I be able to do 40 on video? Therefore, I decided to push ahead and completed 40 push ups a few days earlier to confirm that I could get it done. So I did and the fear went away. On Day 49, I did one more push up to get #50. Therefore, today, was the 2nd time that I was able to do 50 consecutive push ups. So what is next? Day 51. Let's do it.

We are on Day 5, Day 45. Today, I completed 45 consecutive pushups in one set. I rested at the top after 40 push ups to get there; but continued without hitting the ground or bowing up my body. This picture here includes me at the top of the rep and Abby at the bottom on the rep. This article link goes into detail on how to do push ups. In standard push ups, you will have your legs fully extended. 1. Start with your chest and stomach flat on the ground. Legs extended behind you and your hands at chest level with arms bent near a 45 degree angle. 2. Push your self up from your hands, bring your body and thighs off the ground. Exhale as you push up. 3. Pause for a moment in the plank position at the top. (Admittedly, I do not pause much.) 4. Inhale as you return back to starting position; however you should NOT touch the ground with your chest and stomach on the way down. The article also includes wall pushups, seated pushups, kneeling pushups and incline pushups. My workout focuse...

According to fsunews.com, 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by the 2nd week of February. Interesting - that is about 40 Days. This is why we need to plan for that next 40 Day Plan during the last 5 days of our last 40 Day Plan. Set the next 40 days to have incremental improvement over the previous 40 days. Many of us are waiting to get through the holidays, and then New Years and then the first full week of January. We just missed out on 3 weeks of getting back to our goals rather than feeling sorry for ourselves because we gained another 10 pounds on top of our COVID-15 pounds. Why wait? Get into your habits now. Second big reason that New Year's resolutions fail...we set the big goal...but without the little goals to get there. For example, I have a goal to run a half-marathon in 2021. I am purposely using the Push Up and stretching program to get back into shape. I plan to start running outside again after I complete the next 40 Day Plan. By this time, the weather will...

After accomplishing your goals, the best thing to do is to set another set of goals to keep moving forward, NOW. We need to keep on climbing. One of the biggest challenges with Astronauts after returning from space - is what's next? In the early years, many astronauts had to overcome depression because they had already completed their life goal. NASA has learned that they prepare the next set of big challenges to keep them moving forward to accomplishing their next goal. At Amazon, every day is Day One. Look at every opportunity and your current position as a great place to start making a difference. For all of your achievers...here are my next 40 Days Get Back in Shape Goals. You are welcome to join them or not at any day or interval. 1) Push Ups - Continuing Push Ups EVERY Day. Today, was 41 push ups. By the end of Day 40 (80), it will be 80 per day. This 40 Day challenge will end on January 20th. 2) No Starbucks. This will be harder for me than the Push Up challenge. Way...

Measuring Your Goals! Today is Day 40 for the Push Yourself Up to Make a Difference campaign to raise money for Homeboy Industries. We did it! Lets celebrate! With your help, we raised thousands of dollars for Homeboy Industries. Thank you for all of your donations, support and encouragement. It has been 3 months since my appendix burst and I had a week long stay recovering in a remote hospital. Raising money has been great, recovery is near complete - but was has made me the happiest is to learn that my 14-year old daughter Abby was doing the program on her own. Many other friends, family members and contacts throughout have Push themselves up to make a difference. Thank you for your love and encouragement. This is the joy when we work together to accomplish goals that make a difference. This is the last weekend to raise money. Here is the link. https://lnkd.in/ggXg4XH To follow my blog on the daily challenges and to learn about the next goals, go here. https://lnkd.in/gBmeu_i ...