When Robert De Niro made ‘Raging Bull’ in 1980 he had to put on over 50lbs of weight to play the older Jake la Motta. That’s a lot of weight to gain and whereas I’m sure it’s great fun eating all that naughty food, it could be a bit tricky for the majority getting the weight it off again. De Niro didn’t have a problem though.
Why do you think that is?
The reason is actually very simple and it’s that De Niro never saw himself as a fat and lazy guy. His identity would have been a slim or athletic person that was carrying a little excess baggage for a short period of time.
There would have been no concern about losing it and no conversations about trying to get back to his normal weight. It would be a done deal before he started and simply a matter of when, rather than if.
If you are British you’ll probably be familiar with the name, Daley Thompson.
Daley is one of the greatest British Olympians of all time and was at various times European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic champion in a real man-killer of an event, the decathlon. He went undefeated for almost a decade in major competitions and was beloved by the British public for his gutsy performances and bubbly personality.
Toward the end of his career he sustained a serious injury that prevented him taking part in any serious competition in the lead up to the Olympic Games in Seoul, and when he had competed his form was obviously well below what was expected of him.
The selection committee let it be known that he was in serious danger of being dropped from the team if he didn’t prove both his fitness and his form. Thompson’s response was to turn up at the final event before selection wearing a t-shirt in the warm up period that read:
“Form is Temporary – Class is Permanent”
Thompson knew how good he was and knew that a temporary blip didn’t simply cast 10 years of world class performing out of the window. He still believed he was the best in the world, which is exactly what he needed to believe if he was to get fit and compete at that level.
The reality is he did get picked (mainly because we didn’t have anybody better than even a half fit Thompson) and managed to finish in fourth place which bearing in mind what he had gone through was incredible.
Being Rich and Happy isn’t a temporary condition it’s a state of mind, a way of living that anybody, including you, can have. If that is, you believe you can.
If you think Rich and Happy is a destination, it’s doubtful you’ll ever arrive.
From today, decide to be Rich and Happy, think of yourself as Rich and Happy, act as Rich and Happy people act, adopt Rich and Happy beliefs and slowly but surely you’ll start to feel like you genuinely are Rich and Happy.
Rich and Happy News
Still wondering whether to get your own copy of How To Be Rich and Happy? Check out the latest review from Carl Harvey of Personal Development Planet.
Do you have a great idea for a Rich and Happy blog post? If so let me know (tim at how to be rich and happy dot com) because we are going to start accepting guest posts from the beginning of August.
And finally, until the end of July we are giving away free copies of How To Be Rich and Happy. If you want one and you genuinely cannot afford to buy one, click the link and read more.
OK, this seems like such an easy concept, so why haven’t I ever used it before? I’ve always struggled with my weight, and considered myself a “chubby chick.” Which I think is a self-fulfilling prophecy, as I’ve been a “chubby chick” for a few years now.
It never occurred to me to think of myself as a “slim or athletic person that was carrying a little excess baggage for a short period of time.” Funny, when I think of myself that way, instead of as a chubby chick, I feel SO much better about myself and know that I can get back to that slim person, whereas I never feel like I can STOP being a chubby chick!
Love this blog, and I’m about half way through the book (thanks!) and love that too!
Chris, seriously who cares what stopped you before now? You cannot influence that, but you can influence how you think moving forward. Thanks for the feedback and best of luck!