Paul called me into his office.
He looked really upset. I felt his eyes penetrate right through me.
Paul had the will of 1,000 men and women. He was very wealthy and successful for a reason. And he was intimidating.
He told me to sit down in front of his desk.
He swiveled his chair to face me directly, and asked, “Marc, do you know the golden rule?”
I paused for a moment, a bit confused by his question.
I said, “Sure. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. My dad used to tell me that all the time when I was growing up.
Paul looked at me like I had 3 heads. Like I was a complete bonehead.
He said emphatically, “No! Those with the gold make the rules.”
…and that was my entry into the finance world!
While I guess that’s the golden rule for finance, I recently thought to myself – what is the golden rule for heath? For getting a lean and strong body with boundless vitality?
I pondered this question for a long time and came up with many different possibilities.
The most obvious answer is to eat fewer calories than you burn. But I don’t think this answer fosters sustainability for the long run.
I eventually settled on one.
I believe the golden rule for getting a lean and healthy body is to eat, move, and connect mindfully every day.
You do not succumb to mindlessly living your life, like a leaf being blown by a gentle breeze.
You are conscious. You feel how the foods you eat affect your body. You eat foods that fill your body with nutrients. You consistently move your body every day.
You connect the dots between your emotions, sleep, eating, exercise, job, and relationships. They all flow together and affect each other.
And you connect your mind to your body with intention. You are connected to nature and the people around you. You are connected to your purpose.
Getting a lean body is a daily practice.
It’s not something you work on a few times a week.
This may sound like a tall order, but it’s the golden rule of getting a lean & healthy body, and maintaining it.
Daily practice will help you become the best version of yourself.
Be more. Have more. Do more. Give more.
What do you think the golden rule of getting lean should be? Do you agree with my definition?
Leave a comment below.
Well said
I TOTALLY AGREE Most people in society are so focused on job ,career and money
and dont have time to appreciate all the beauty around us. Excercise is a way of life not just
something one goes to the gym to punch a time card. Everything in the world (indeed the universe) is interconnected and being “aware” of what you eat and how you eat, how you excercise , how you sleep etc has helped me enormously in improving the quality of my life. Keep up the great work BUILTLEAN team
I can tell you from personal experience that following the Golden Rule you learned at your father’s feet, and quoted in response to Paul’s question, is much more apropos of a successful and fulfilling career in finance than Paul’s version.
I think it also stems from a commitment to always push to be the best version of you possible.
That’s the hard truth right there…I’ve tried and failed so many times ultimately because of a lack of consistency…
Cool
Beautiful; eloquently said, and very true.
This is great! I like its application that it’s something you never achieve, but actually pursue each and every day. It’s a way to live your life. Thanks for the opportunity to think about something good!
like the thought, i would change the order and put have more last cause if u do the 1st 3 you will have a more full life…
Here’s a quote by Eugen Sandow. “Life is movement. Once you stop moving, you’re dead. Choose life.”
What’s striking about this is that Sandow died in 1925, before technology made people lazy, uncoordinated, and unathletic.
Let’s take out the “I believe” when that comes across to me as direct KNOWING! Love it
Yep. Get up and get on with it. There are two times, now and too late
Yes, I agree too. It has to become a realistic lifestyle that we can enjoy!
Thanks Marc! You reminded me to get back on track with those things in life I really want to do instead of losing that connection to my true self. It is all related. I work out every day, eat healthy but have fallen off track of pursuing my dreams.
Love this post! Love the focus on mindfulness <3
Thanks everyone for the comments! All appreciated. If you haven’t left a comment yet, go for it.
I agree with you whole heartedly. Commitment, consistency, focus and a positive mindset. And if you should stumble (we are only human after all) get up, dust yourself off and get right back on track!
I think the other aspect of the golden rule is to heal emotional trauma, change the stories we tell ourselves. This will make eating, moving and connecting every day easier and with purpose.
Marc this is what makes you stand out from all the other fitness advisors online, you inspire me to be the healthiest version of myself, mind, body and soul