Your Vision Is Your Fate

Yogi Berra said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Well, while it’s entertaining, that advice won’t do much for you.

So how do you know which way to turn when you come to a fork in the road of life?

Since that question could encompass such a wide range of challenges (or, better put, opportunities), it might seem too complex to find one simplified answer.

But I think there’s a way. In the hope that it will be useful for you, let me share with you what worked for me.

In 2003, with the landmark of my 40th birthday (yes, yes, I know it’s hard to believe) quickly approaching, it became painfully obvious to me in a moment of reflection that I was not living the life that was indicative or demonstrative of my true abilities and human potential.

I had come to a fork in the road of life.

Ever been there before? Ouch!

Then - in July 2003 - I had what some would call a “defining moment.”

I call it “a matter of life or death.” Not death in the literal sense, which probably would have actually been a lot less painful for me. The kind of death I’m referring to is the death of self-belief, self-trust, spirit and the will to win.

Here’s the truth: I was a recent newlywed. I had just sold one of my companies. I had gained an extra 30 pounds of carry-on luggage (also known as fat). On top of that, I found myself sharing success strategies with my audience, but I wasn’t implementing and applying them to my own personal and professional life.

I knew I had to make some major changes … FAST! I was sick and tired of being sick and tired … a lackluster father and husband … an unmotivated motivational speaker. The last line may sound funny to you, but it was a sad truth for me.

I took a hard look at my life and saw the situation I just described. And that’s when I experienced an “A-Ha!” moment — a personal breakthrough.

The two key words are Look and Personal Breakthrough.

My vision had become the wrong vision. I saw only what I had become, not what I had the potential to be. I was living my nightmare, not my dream.

But I knew it didn’t have to be that way. I realized my fate, the rest of my life, was in my hands.

That was my first clue. Somewhere, I got off course. I got “caught up” in a vision that was not meant to be my fate.

• I remembered using visualization techniques to create my future and manifest my destiny. I had stopped that behavior.
• I remembered running on the boardwalk in Spring Lake, envisioning myself speaking in front of large audiences for high fees. I had stopped that behavior.
• I remembered sitting in the chair in my home office every morning before going to the gym and envisioning myself having a powerful workout, looking strong, muscular and lean. I had stopped that behavior.
• I remembered seeing myself on vacation in the Caribbean with my wife and kids having fun on the beach. I had stopped that behavior.

All of the things I taught and actually coached other people about in the areas of personal development and success had slipped away from me.

But then I got fired up!

When I looked at my life, I didn’t see myself 30 pounds overweight. I didn’t see myself struggling to be motivated. I didn’t see the self-imposed obstacles I created causing major challenges in every area in my life.

What I saw was A Winner. I saw an energetic, healthy, father and husband. I saw a man full of boundless energy, pursuing and achieving his dreams while helping others realize theirs.

As soon as I realized that my vision was what motivated me to take massive action which in turn created my future, my fate, I couldn’t sleep.

So, as the Fourth of July fireworks exploded in the warm, summer night air, my heart began to race because I knew I had the answer. I had a sort of Personal Independence Day Weekend.

On Monday, July 7, 2003 I started on an 84-day journey to transform my body and my mind, and win an International Fitness Challenge.

I knew that if I changed my body, my energy would be restored and even increase. From that position of energized strength I could change my mindset further. And I committed myself to doing all the things necessary to make this Vision my Fate.

I immediately began to apply techniques from a very important book I reread regularly, Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz.

I envisioned myself being lean and muscular. I envisioned myself training six days a week and becoming stronger everyday. I envisioned myself eating clean and healthy foods. I envisioned myself wearing designer suits and having a six-pack of ripped abs.

The outcome: I finished the Challenge 84 days later on September 28, 2003. By then I had lost 25 pounds. My body fat dropped from 18.5% to 8%. My waist size went from 38-inches to 33-inches. Then on January 28, 2004 at 6:00 PM, my wife said there was someone on the phone from Golden, Colorado. It was Porter Freeman, the director of The EAS/Body-for-Life Challenge. He told me that I was awarded 2nd runner-up in the 2003 Challenge.

I won cash, prizes and immediate international exposure for my hard work. You can see the transformation pictures HERE.

But more important: I won my life back. I won my self-confidence back. And I won my integrity back AND my self-esteem. I saw myself as a truly congruent person — someone who walks their talk and is 100% committed every moment to living to their fullest human potential, A Winner!

“Good for you, Eric,” you may be saying at this point. “But how can I get to that ‘A-Ha!’ moment and that level of commitment in my life?”

Here’s a first step: Another way of explaining what happened for me - and what can happen for you - is to realize what you focus on informs your belief. And we become very good at finding “evidence” and creating behaviors that support what we believe. Set your sights on a beneficial, realistic vision of what you want your life to be, and you’re well on your way to achieving it.

It’s true: Your Vision is Your Fate. And, as always, my promise to you is to help you realize your full human potential.

I believe in you! Do you believe in you?

Eric Taylor
Chief Inspiration Officer
Empowerment Group International