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11 Years of Pure Passion

from Pz's Perspective, Natural Muscle Magazine

3. Finding a way

It's no secret many business ventures fail. Most fail in the initial stages. Some last a little longer than eventually find a way to go under. The magazine industry is no exception. Even with the talent, success, and notoriety of a John F. Kennedy Jr., the magazine, George, which he co-founded before he died, could not survive. Natural Muscle has survived over the years for a number of reasons. The most important being the determination of its publisher to find a way. She faces down the challenges that arise, month-in and month-out, and meets them head-on. She turns those lemons into lemonade time and again and produces a product the readers value, depend upon, and enjoy.

4. Follow the leader

When you're looking for the formula to success, begin the search by looking to successful people. Look to those who have come before you. Analyze and evaluate what they have done and how they have gone about it. They have found a way to apply winning principles to their lives. Find out what principles make sense for your life and zero in on them. The wheel has already been invented. There is no need to waste time reinventing the same one. Your calling may be to develop a new and improved, bigger or better wheel. Your calling may be to use that wheel in a way no man has even thought to use. Your calling may be to change the world with your wheel. From the beginning of time there have been stand outs among the crowd. They have come from all cultures in all shapes and sizes. They still walk among us today and continue to leave their imprint. We can learn from those individuals and become a leader ourselves if we make the effort to look and follow their lead.

5. Finding a need to fill

We are on this planet for a reason. About this I am sure. Each of us has a role in the grand design. Each of us matter. Some of us play a more obvious or active role. Some of us play a quiet behind the scenes-type role. If you don't believe you are a part of what makes the world go 'round, then you may be breathing but you sure aren't living. When you can determine what need you are here to fill then you will feel the broader connection to the fabric of humankind. You will be able create a different destiny for you and others. Don't sell yourself short. Don't think you are just one person who doesn't have anything to say or nothing to share. When you focus on what you do best and become passionate about your gifts you will be able to share those talents to do the most good. In return, you'll have so many unexpected rewards come your way.

6. Team up with like minds

When you attract those who think and act similar to you it can strengthen you on many levels. This applies to both the positive and negative. Take note of how negative energies and negative people perpetuate more of the negative. That's a major factor why criminals repeat crime when released from prison. They team up with other criminals while incarcerated, never learn new and positive ways of living, so they maintain that criminal mindset when they return to society. Negative people and behaviors feed upon each other. The same applies to the positive. I'm referring, of course, to all that is positive. Whenever possible surround yourself with positive energies. Many of us are in toxic relationships—personal and professional—that instead of nurturing us bring us down. Strive to walk on that positive road alongside others who are traveling in the same direction. If you need help or fall back they will pull you along. That's what supportive people do. They assist whenever possible. They offer help which translates into hope. You can be more passionate about life when the input you receive is hopeful not hopeless.

Although I wasn't on board from the start, I've been a part of the Natural Muscle family now for over nine years. It has been quite a remarkable journey that I hope will go on. I've come to know the publisher and am proud to call her my friend. I've been surrounded by a group of expert and knowledgeable contributors whom I admire and respect. I've come to know you, the reader, and am grateful when you take your valuable time to read my column and share your opinions. Everywhere I go I get such positive feedback. Everyone loves the magazine and gets something from it. It has changed lives because people tell me so. They have gotten a wealth of information on training and diet and supplements and health that has given them real results. They have been moved or motivated by stories and articles that have given them real hope. They have been inspired to do better and be better and make the world a better place. Natural Muscle is one of those wonderful diamonds in the rough—a little gem floating around in a vast sea of sameness. There is real heart and soul in each and every issue. From cover to cover it's put together with the same passion and TLC that has existed from the very beginning. Eleven years later, it's still here—still going strong. It's good to know, in spite of everything, we can depend on that.