Flew half way across the world to support Pacquiao in Vegas! – Pacquiao v Cotto 2009

As I sat there speechless, after seeing my idol lunge forward and cop a lethal blow that knocked him down to the canvas stopping the fight on the last few seconds of the 6^th round, I asked myself “did that really happen?”

It was only a few minutes ago that Manny Pacquiao was getting his momentum back and exchanging blows confidently.

Many of you who know me, know that I have been a fan of the sport of Boxing ever since the days of Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson, Oscar Dela Hoya, Kostya Tszyu. In 2001 I first saw a glimpse of Manny Pacquiao when my good buddy from high school Troy invited me over to watch a Mike Tyson PPV fight at his house and I have been a Pacquiao fan ever since.

I see Manny as an inspiration, an uneducated person from a dysfunctional family who worked his way out of poverty through dedication and focus. Using his God-given gifts, he not only became one of the best fighters ever; he in turn evolved into a global brand.  That is one great fairytale that has inspired many.

It has been just over 24 hours since Manny lost the bout and looking back I noticed patterns that looked insignificant, though it made a huge difference. There are lessons in what happened and hopefully you can relate to these factors in your own lives.

Lesson 1: Marquez did his homework.

Preparedness was the key, Marquez had a plan and he worked it. Marquez scouted Pacquiao and familiarized himself with Pacquiao’s movement patterns and delivered the blows with precision timing. Marquez knew what to expect and prepared for it, Marquez packed on extra muscles with the help from his strength and conditioning coach for strength and to help absorb the impact, Marquez focused on recovery and gaining optimum rest. Marquez continued to watch footage of their previous fights in his spare time.

How does that apply to you? Do you do your homework before you pursue something important? Do you do feasibility studies and work out the pros and cons? Do you invest the hours of drilling/practicing your presentation? Or do you just fly by the seat of your pants and have a “She’ll be right mate!” or “Bahala na!” (fatalistic passiveness) outlook or do you diligently work through and make a breakthrough?

Lesson 2: Marquez started training camp early.

The saying “the early bird catches the worm” sounds true; Marquez started his intense training camp before Manny. It made total sense to get started before your opponent, and it showed.

In life are you an early riser? Early risers get more things done; they accomplish more and make the most of their day. Our life comprises of days that turn into weeks, months, years, decades and so on. We all have 24 hours and it doesn’t matter if its day-light savings we all have 24 hours, and what you do to utilise your allotted 24 hours will determine your success.

Lesson 3: You can’t be a Butcher, Baker and a Candlestick maker…

Singers sing, farmers farm, consultants consult, managers manage. In the movie “300” released back in 2006, there is the important scene between the characters Daxos and King Leonidas on commitment:

Daxos: I see I was wrong to expect Sparta’s commitment to at least match our own.

King Leonidas: Doesn’t it?

[points to Arcadian soldier behind Daxos]

King Leonidas: You there, what is your profession?

Free Greek-Potter: I am a potter… sir.

King Leonidas: [points to another soldier] And you, Arcadian, what is your profession?

Free Greek-Sculptor: Sculptor, sir.

King Leonidas: Sculptor.

[turns to a third soldier]

King Leonidas: You?

Free Greek-Blacksmith: Blacksmith.

King Leonidas: [turns back shouting] Spartans! What is your profession?

Spartans: WAR! WAR! WAR!

King Leonidas: [turning to Daxos] You see, old friend? I brought more soldiers than you did.

As you can read and maybe seen in the film, the Spartans were committed not only to their cause also to their craft, they did not do the “Hokey-Pokey” put the left foot in and take the left foot out. They had full immersion and embodied their responsibility. They were focused and the Spartans did not have any distractions.  Marquez did what the Spartans did, he lived and trained like a prize-fighter fighting the biggest bout of his life. Where as Manny had to be in Congress sessions, host his TV variety show, manage his other business interests, fulfil his Church commitments, family commitments and all his other extra-curricular activities; Manny was spinning plates and tried keeping them all up.

It is easy for me to criticise what happened, I could easily comment on what Manny could have done. It’s easy to be an arm-chair boxing analyst and be a know-it-all. However, there are strategies to everything and steps to follow that will achieve specific outcomes.  Manny didn’t lose because he didn’t do the sign of the cross, did not wear/kiss a rosary or because he has become a Christian and moved away from Catholicism, Manny didn’t lose because Marquez may or may have not used performance enhancement drugs (PED), stepped on Manny’s foot, etc.. Manny lost because he had broken FOCUS not only in training also in the fight itself. It proves that if you are walking through life with no FOCUS in a blink of an eye the world can knock you down, face first on the ground.

So what is next?

Dr Mike Murdock said, “All men fall, the great ones get back up!”.   I believe that Pacquiao will be on top again, it may be a wake up call to change a few things.  Einstein said it best “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.” After the fight, I got a text from a boxer friend of mine and he said that when a fighter gets knocked out it changes the fighter to either become more cautious and avoid getting hit hard again or he/she gets angry and becomes a hungrier and smarter fighter. I believe in the latter that Manny posses that quality and he will bounce back from this current setback.

In closing, I believe that Manny Pacquiao is one the greatest fighters that has ever stepped in the ring, he has done more good to promote and lift up the Filipino people than any of the Presidents, politicians (past and present), delegates, celebrities combined. I will continue to support and follow Pacquiao this mini-essay is not a personal jab (pardon the pun) at the great man, it is merely an observation from a fan of the sport, who also coaches his clients on the importance of having INTENT, DISCIPLINE and a FIRM FOCUS.

Until next time,

Stay FOCUSED!

Mediocrity to SUCCESS!

Attention FIRM FOCUS fans & followers

Please register for How to set up GOALS for your BEST 2013 on Dec 6, 2012 7:00 PM EST at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8230844336460784384

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”  

There is truth in that timeless quote, sometimes we say to ourselves that “success is just around the corner” “patience is a virtue” “only time will tell.” It sounds like we are being patient in taking a risk or deciding what our next move will be. Sometimes sayings like aforementioned is another form of procrastination and excuses.

Think about this, we only have a limited amount of time on this planet. The great pastor Rick Warren mentioned in his great book “The Purpose Driven Life” we only have approximately 25,550 days. Our life consists of seconds, minutes, hours, days, and so on. If we can master our day and make the most of it, we will have an amazing life, if we squander our time it will lead to opportunities lost, un-productivity, lack of progress and a life of regrets.

Waiting for things to happen, by being passive and not being proactive in wanting to achieve the result you desire. You will get what is left by those who took action. The saying “You Snooze You Lose!” sounds true, where in your life are you not playing all out? What do you need to be good at? What do you need to focus on? Your Business/Career? Health? Wealth? Important relationships? Are you waiting for the conditions to be perfect before you venture out and reach your ideal outcome? To be blunt, the conditions will never be perfect. People flourish when things are bad and when things are good, the difference is they have a plan and work the plan.

The discipline of taking action is integral in the pursuit of achievement/success, take consistent action and it will pay off the result you set out to achieve. Think about the pyramids, or any architectural wonder. It was built brick by brick, level by level; it was completed through consistent application.

Hustle, have a sense of urgency. Say to yourself “I need to achieve *Insert GOAL/Desired OUTCOME* Now!” I need to become the person I need to become in order to achieve the desired goal. Waiting does nothing for you except you allow time to pass you. If that desired goal is what you really want wouldn’t it be better if you get it sooner instead of dragging it on?

Think about it!

Until next time, Stay Focused!

I watched this clip on Youtube and it blew my mind, it encapsulates my beliefs, values, ambition and definite chief aim as well as emphasise my wish for the people I serve. It has people who I admire, and who I consider as role models. (Remember “Success leaves clues…” )

Its Thursday 2:31 a.m. and I am ready to start the day and get going.

Now, I am not sure how copyright laws work in regards to putting someones  Youtube clip on ones blog, however I just want to share this clip with you. I give credit to the creator of this clip and I would like to give you a high five sir/madam for the fine montage you created.

So, take the message/learnings and apply it to your life.

Anything is POSSIBLE…Stay Focused!

Motivating Video for SUCCESS

To my surprise, I found a stack of old photos. I have seen these before and I am familiar with the memories associated with the pictures. One particular picture I saw was a picture of me back in October 1997 standing in front the place where it all started, a place where I first launched my career…. Yes the picture is in front of Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre (YMCA) I started teaching Circuit Classes there, I worked the Gym floor as an instructor, I wrote programs and conducted assessments. I wiped the treadmills and cardio equipment, as well as put away the scattered weight plates that have been left by some members. I taught Body Pump classes, RPM, and conducted a junior Basketball skills class.

Looking back it was a fun time for me, I enjoyed every moment and the experience at the Leisure Centre opened up so many opportunities for me, I am so grateful because it gave me the opportunity to make a difference in so many people’s lives. It not only transformed me from a “Neophyte Instructor” to “Fitness Professional” to a “Peak Performance Coach and Speaker”, it transformed my life, my outlook and my business model.

Fast forward to 2012, I am looking forward to the next 15 years and beyond. It has been fun grapevining down memory lane. I am also excited about what the future holds, and what possibilities lurks around the corner.

The lesson is:

Live the life you DESIRE chase it with focus and enthusiasm. Love what you do, do what you love, seek opportunities, strive for excellence and most of all…have FUN!

Its all about the journey.

Around!

Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down

You’re the Best!

Around!

Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down…”

That’s right!

For the people playing at home yes that is from the soundtrack of the movie The Karate Kid released back in 1984. As an impressionable five year old watching a Betamax copy of the Karate Kid, I wanted to be like Daniel. I even begged my parents to enroll me at the YMCA for Karate classes. By the end of the first class, I was expecting to receive my black belt; I was thinking that my instructor was a “dud” because in the movie it only took a couple of hours for Mr. Miyagi to award Daniel with the black belt.

I am not sure if you felt the same after watching that movie, it did cause me to ask what does it take to be the best? Why are some people successful and others not so successful? What steps do I need to take to get the prized trophy in the end? It wasn’t until I grew up and found out that any result desired could be obtained and duplicated by following the same strategy the person used. It can be likened to a recipe, if you follow the steps in baking a cake you will get the same predictable outcome.

Having studied and modeled people who are at the best in their field, I discovered that there is basically 5 things that many successful people do and do it consistently. I will list the first 3 keys and discuss.

The first Key to being the best is:

(1) Decide: You have to decide now that you want to be the best, the best at what? The best that you can be, in this example lets talk about your career. Decide now that you want to be in the top 5% in your industry, in this day in age you have to strive to be the best. The reason is this, mediocrity doesn’t cut it anymore, and you have to stand out from the crowd by being excellent at what you do.

(2) PAY THE PRICE:  Its attending the class, turning up and applying what you learned. In this example in regards to your career, learn all the aspect about your business, read industry journals and attend seminars or networking events so you are aware of what is happening in your industry. You will be around the people who are the movers and shakers in your industry, armed with the up to date knowledge and happenings in your industry you can take action that can not only help you, it will also help the people who you serve i.e. your customers. This is an action item, get a clean sheet of paper, and write on top of the page. What do I need to do to be the best at _____________________? Come up with at least 20 items, it will be easy to come up with 10 items and by stretching your mind to come up with the last few will really get your brain to think outside of the box. Then pick 5 that you will focus on and apply straight away.

(3) FIND A MENTOR: Isaac Newton has said that.“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” Mentors can guide you, provide wisdom, ensure you are on track and accountable. Mentors can also teach you, you can utilize their experience and expertise so you can apply it in your life. Every successful person had his or her own “Mr. Miyagi” Donald Trump had his father, Manny Pacquiao the best boxer pound for pound boxer on the planet has Freddie Roach, Tiger Woods at one stage had 5 coaches mentoring and analyzing his golf game. Love him or hate him, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had mentors all through his life; he had a bodybuilding mentor, when he started in real estate investing he sought help from an experienced real estate investor. When he got into films he did the same, he learned from valuable mentors and applied the lessons learned. The Austrian Oak got mentored by a Kennedy and became California’s Governor.

Mentors come in many shapes and sizes, you can find a mentor in books you can absorb the learning and apply it straight away. Books are inexpensive way to learn, the author can take you on their personal journey, from mediocrity to success, tragedies to triumphs their own highs and lows.  You can also find someone who has achieved what you want to achieve; you can ask their strategies and emulate them. You can also hire a coach who is an expert and get results and be accountable.

If you are interested in finding out the rest of what successful people know. I am happy to send you the rest of the list. Send me an email on thad@firmfocuspt.com and add “BeThe Best List” on the title and I will forward you the entire lessons in the “You’re The Best Around” Series and some added extras. I thank you once again and remember that the only reason why people fail is broken focus. Just ask Mr. Miyagi.

Here is the clip of the Karate Kid montage, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1kS0A_E2Ag

Until next time.

“Everyone needs a mentor”

If you adapt the cramming principle in the marketplace, you might as well close down the business. You need to know how to service your niche, study the market and know what the competition is up to.  You need to be a few steps ahead in case a speed bump comes along and shakes your business. Preparedness and a focus on taking action is the key, organic growth and knowledge takes time.

Think about this, athletes do their homework by scouting their competition by watching video and assess the weak points of their competition. They drill and practice to sharpen the skill so it becomes second nature,when it gets to crunch time they can flawlessly execute and take the victory. If you are in sales, you need to do your homework. You need to not only know your product, you need to have an objective before to face the client, know their desired outcome, have knowledge of their sales cycle.

In life you need to be prepared, know your outcome, assess the potential risks without causing “paralysis by analysis”. Life will give you tests and there are lessons to be learned all the time. Preparedness is the key, strive for an A+.

Until next time…..

Stay Focused 

There was an old man who was heading into town and brought along a little boy and his trusty donkey. They started the journey with both riding the donkey into town; one passerby hurled abuse at the old man and little boy claiming that the donkey is a beautiful animal and by riding on the donkey is an act of cruelty. So the old man dismounted and let the little boy continue to ride.
With the little boy riding on the donkey, a few miles down the road. They passed by a fellow traveler and chastised the old man saying that the little boy should show some respect, dismount the donkey and allow the old man to ride. So the little boy and the old man swapped and preceded into town, the donkey was slowly plodding along until they see another passerby and suggested, “Get off that donkey, why don’t you just carry the donkey instead?” Both the old man and little boy agreed to carry the donkey into town without hesitation. With only a few meters left towards their desired destination, there was a rickety bridge over a river that the old man and little boy had to cross. While half way through their crossing, both the little boy and old man lost their grip on the donkey and the poor donkey plunged to its death.
The moral of the story, if you are trying to please everyone, you might as well kiss your ass goodbye.
Many of us seek approval of others; we do everything we can to be accepted so we can belong. At times we sacrifice our own needs and wants to make the other person happy. What we fail to realize is that the person we need to make happy is ourselves, the opinion that only matters the most is our own.
Until next time…Stay Focused.

Who said that?

This was a quote by Henry Ford, I found this quote when I first read the classic book “Think and Grow Rich” by the author Napoleon Hill first published back in 1937.

Why is this quote from a 75 year old book relevant today?

Because us humans, we all have a deep need to be a success, to have a wonderful, fulfilling life. A life with meaning, purpose and achievement.

A few years ago, I was asked by a successful person (who I respect and admire) to join him for  a cup of coffee. That’s when he looked me in the eye and asked me…”Thad what is your dream?”

With a quick sip of my latte, I answered confidently ” I want to be rich, I want to be a Millionaire”

Giving me the same glance, he asked me….”Well Thad, why aren’t you?”

I was gobsmacked, speechless and began to stutter trying to answer the question.

“Well…” I answered, “You see…” then I began to list WHY I wasn’t a Millionaire.

“Look, I didn’t come from a rich family. I grew up across Smokey Mountain (A large rubbish dump in Manila) we lived in a 2 bedroom Tenement apartment in Tondo, I don’t have the right connections in society, I don’t have the money because it takes money to make money. My parents said that we will never be above middle-class. I can’t start a successful and profitable business, I can’t break into the six figure income club, I don’t think I have the skills to become a successful entrepreneur….blah..blah..blah..”

I was flowing like a Jay-Z rap lyric until my friend held up his hand and said….”I guess your EXCUSES are bigger than your reasons WHY…What you told me are just excuses, and don’t hold yourself  back by giving into your EXCUSES!”

Driving home, I was frustrated and relieved at the same time. Frustrated because my belief system was getting challenged and the story that I used to tell myself for many years was incongruent with what I really want, it was damaging and destructive. It was moving me away from what I want for my future. I was relieved because discovered the cause and I can now take ACTION towards what I want and towards my desired goal/outcome.

So what about you? what stories are you telling yourself? In your story are you the hero? or are you the villain?

Your stories/excuses once you make a habit of saying the same story to yourself, you will start to believe it and internalise it and end up manifesting it your life. Its time to decide right NOW, decide that you will head towards the direction you desire. Modify your story, give it the “Director’s Cut” version.

Many of us are not born with the “Silver Spoon” in our mouth, and don’t let that be an excuse, don’t feel sorry for yourself and seriously who cares?  I choose to believe that we are all born equal, however our opportunities are not. So what do you do? You create your own circumstances, you create your opportunities, and breaks in your life by telling your story the way you should tell it.

So here is my challenge to you, change the stories you tell your self..

Research about people who overcame hardship and set backs. Find out what mindset they had, what was it in them that made them triumphant and win in the end. You will find out their strategies, motivation, values and the major turning points that turned it all around.

You are defined by the stories you tell your self, we can be our own best friend and our own worst enemy. I urge you you eliminate your excuses, strive and go forth towards what you really want. Then you can live happily ever after.

Go get ‘em!

Last Yuletide season, my wife, daughter and I spent a couple of weeks in Manila.

While walking towards TGIF to celebrate Chloe’s birthday (Sherilyn’s niece), I found this picture of a boy wearing a cape and a tagline “You Don’t Need A Costume To Be A Hero”.  It took me back to my childhood when I used to tie a towel on my back and jump off a chair pretending to be my favourite superhero Batman. I would pretend that I was fighting crime and make karate moves, pretending I was fighting off 20 of the Joker’s henchmen and this memory, to this day is still fresh in my mind.

We kept walking along Bonifacio High Street towards the TGIF Restaurant.

While eating the potato skins I kept thinking about the quote, I thought of the heroes in the past fiction and non-fiction heroes some wore costumes.

For example:

Heroes who wore costumes

• Superman
• Spiderman
• The X-Men
• The rest of the Super Friends
• People who served in the armed forces
• Michael Jordan had a #23 on his back
• Manny Pacquiao wears a pair of Cleto Reyes boxing gloves
• Sir Donald Bradman wore the baggy greens and his sword was a Cricket bat

However there are heroes who don’t wear a costume, in fact they don’t need to.

A definition of a Hero:  “A person, who is admired for courage or noble qualities.” 

A person admired for courage or noble qualities, what does that mean and how does that relate to you? See, being a hero is not about the external clothing that you wear. Its not the cape, not the mask or the fancy gadgets. Its about what’s inside of you is the most important thing.

In life you need to courageously move to the direction where you want to go, you have to boldly act to achieve the outcome you desire. In my eyes that makes you a hero, because you are fighting a cause. You are not settling for second best, you are wanting a better future. Every hero has an evil villain that challenges them and makes the plot of the comic/movie more interesting. The hero digs in and utilises his/her superpowers, their resources, think laterally and keep fighting then overcomes the challenge they have been faced with.

So lets take it back to real life, you are a super hero. You have God-given gifts, talents per se. You have skills that if it is in the hands of others it will not produce the same result. You are faced with challenges daily and by keeping focused on the desired outcome. You will gather up all your resources, skills, talents, mental powers and come out victorious.

Action Exercise:

I have a challenge for you, in the next 10 Days. I want you to look at the goals you wrote at the start of the year (if you haven’t written one as yet, start now!) I want you to look at the goal, visualise that you have achieved it already. Grab a note pad and write down how you are feeling after you achieved the desired goal, write down what was the thing stopping you from achieving the goal (your evil villain) and also write down how you defeated/overcame the challenge. By writing it down the answers you are coming up with answers to potential scenarios as well as potential answers and solutions so when this happens you can stay on track and not be defeated. Then let me know how you go.

In closing I want you to realise that there are potential superpowers waiting to be discovered within you and you are destined for greatness, you don’t need a costume to be a hero. You don’t need an MBA from Ateneo or Harvard to start a business, you don’t need to migrate overseas to provide for your family, you don’t need a high social standing in the community to make a difference or have influence. What you need is to act courageously in a noble way consistently.  Look at Clark Kent he doesn’t need to get in a phone booth and get into costume to be Superman he already is Superman, the costume is just packaging.

Stay Awesome!

You Dont Need A Costume To Be A Hero

Thad Mangalino is a Peak Performance Coach. Runs seminars on Personal Effectiveness and Personal Branding. His FOCUS Branding seminars are not only for business owners its is also beneficial for people who want to position themselves from everyone else, to stand out, to be in the top 5% in their field. The seminar teaches how to discover your own personal U.P.A. (Unique Personal Advantage), you will discover how by firing your customers you can run a more profitable business and many, many, more. For further information and event dates please send your inquiry to thad@firmfocuspt.com  and visit www.firmfocuspt.com

Also look out for the launch of his new book “Who said I cant?” updates on the release date.