Right now, I'm in the middle of one of the most intense home fitness workout programs available: P90X. (full disclosure – I earn a commission if you purchase)
P90X is 90 straight days of gut-busting, iron-pumping, fat-trimming, muscle-building, endurance-enhancing, nutrition-mastering, life-changing hell…and so far—I love it.
Today I completed Day 4, which was the yoga disc. I've never sweated more in my entire life and I have newly found respect for anyone who does yoga on a regular basis. It's no wonder why some of the world's top athletes take yoga classes.
Anyways, this post isn't about why I'm putting myself through this program, or even about how awesome their marketing campaign is. I will, however, keep you updated on my progress every thirty days. I'll even include before and after pictures (once I have a less embarrassing after picture to show you in 30 days). Just as a forewarning…I will be shirtless in those photos (gasp!).
I'm doing this partly to keep myself accountable for staying focused and crushing it during each workout, and partly to motivate any of you who may be looking to make similar changes in your life as well.
P90X is about making extreme changes in your body and in your life, and many of the tools and philosophies behind the program are directly related to becoming a successful entrepreneur. I'd like to share these with you today.
Success Takes Time to Achieve
I invested in P90X because it seemed like the most realistic fitness product to me, being a 90 day workout program. That's three entire months, which is a lot of time to invest, so it makes sense that if I stick with the program I will see drastic results.
The idea here is that it takes time to see results. It takes time to succeed.
As an entrepreneur, the same ideas apply. You won't get rich overnight, and anything that claims to help you “get rich quick” is a scam in my opinion. True businesses grow from hard work and time.
Unfortunately, many people give up because they're not seeing traffic, customers or sales right away—much like how some people give up on these workout programs because they don't have a 6-pack after the first day.
Keeping Track of Numbers is Important
When training with P90X, it's recommended to write down and record almost everything.
I've only been training for 4 days, and already I've recorded more numbers than I ever have about my body. I record my weight and body fat percentage each morning. I write down the number of reps and with what weight for each of the exercises I perform. I record everything I eat so that I know all of the nutritional facts about what's going inside my body.
It may seem like a lot of “extra” work, but it's vital because it can prove that we're making progress (which is totally motivating), and also help determine what areas may need improvement.
In the online business world, it's important to keep track of your stats and numbers for the very same reasons.
If we don't know where we're at, how do we know how to get to where we're going?
It's a Good Idea to Take Breaks
Although P90X is extreme fitness, they also understand that it's important give our bodies and muscles a break sometimes. Short breaks are scattered throughout each of the workouts, and there's even 1 day off from working out entirely each week.
Breaks are important because you don't want to overwork yourself, and the same holds true for doing business, especially if you're working from home where there's always an easy opportunity to just keep working non-stop.
Take breaks. Schedule them if you have to, but do yourself a favor and give your mind a rest every once and a while. You will become much more productive.
Motivation from Others is Key
What I especially like about P90X is that they promote their message boards—a community where other people who are going through the workout can get together. I joined a particular thread a few days before I started, which comprises of people all starting the routine on the exact same day. We're already over 200+ posts into it, and like I said we're only on the 4th day of the program. We're all keeping each other motivated, and in a way holding each other accountable too.
If you've read yesterday's post about mastermind groups, you'd understand just how important it is to stay connected with other people for your business as well.
If you go for a goal all by yourself, it's going to be that much tougher. That's why people always say it's much easier to go to the gym if you have a workout partner, or go on a diet if someone else is doing it too.
The same goes for your business—find your other half, and work together toward that common goal.
“Bring It”
Each day after I pop in a new DVD, before the workout begins the words “BRING IT” appear on the screen.
To me, these words are synonymous to “CRUSH IT“, which is the Title of Gary Vaynerchuk's book about becoming successful by just going all out and doing what you have to do to achieve your goals. (full disclosure – I earn a commission if you purchase the book)
The main point here is that no matter what you want to accomplish, no matter what it is—whether it's having a body like Taylor Lautner (for you Twilight fans out there), or starting the next Apple, Inc., in order to do it you have to really want it and give it all you got.
100% 110%—everything you have.
Commitment
There are a number of other connections that could be made between working out and doing business online, but there's one overall theme that encompasses everything I've already mentioned, and that's commitment.
In order to become successful, you must commit. You must commit not only to what you're doing and what your plans are (i.e. sticking with the program), but you must also commit to yourself. That means being confident in what you know, and committed to where you want to be.
Nothing can stop you.
Awesome Pat,
Looking forward to seeing your progress. I’ve heard a ton of people talking about P90X but never seen any results from it. Good luck!
Thanks Glen!
Hey Pat,
That’s awesome.. man :). Looking forward to see your progress about P90X.
Thanks for sharing this great Post about P90X.
~Dev
No prob, Dev! I’ll definitely keep everyone updated on my progress.
Hey Pat,
Awesome post.
“The idea here is that it takes time to see results. It takes time to succeed.”
I completely agree.
A web business is like any business. It takes time and effort.
We must first learn some skills for an online income, and like any single skill, it can be learned.
But, it takes time and effort.
Great comparison you made there with fitness and workouts.
I wish you success in your P90X program!
Kindest,
Nabeel
Thanks Nabeel – I appreciate it!
Im a regular yoga practioner, i remember struggling at first. I’d never felt pain like it!
Yep – I’m sure in due time I’ll be able to get all the moved down, like the crane!
Pat, congrats on your P90X journey. I’ve had the program for a few years and love it as a supplement when I can’t make it to the gym for Crossfit.
Your comments are so true on the Yoga disc as I sweated just as much (if not more) and literally got my butt kicked. How funny!
A 40 year-old colleague of mine who hadn’t worked out in years could barely walk after 8 minutes of the plyometrics disc. Enjoy!
Ooo, I think Plyo is my favorite actually. I have Kempo tomorrow though, and tons of people say they love that one the best. it will be my first time, so I guess we’ll see! Cheers Jeff! I hope all is well.
Sounds like an awesome challenge.
What I’m starting to realize is the amount of focus and energy successful entrepreneurship requires. In the way you mentioned to “bring/crush it” and give it 110%, it holds true, since the level of focus and energy you put into anything will determine your results.
Good luck with it Patt, all the best.
Thanks Ron! And yes, there is a ton of focus required to be a successful entrepreneur, and it’s those get get through all the hurdles and distractions that will some out on top. Cheers!
Pat,
The first week is definitely the hardest; let “Icy Hot” be your best friend. I start phase three this morning.
Good Luck!
Haha – I’ve had some bad experienced with Icy Hot before. I’ll just leave it at that, lol!
Good luck on phase 3! Any pics to share for motivation?
I rubbed a little too much of it all over my body after a football game once….let’s just say, there are “certain” places you should never put Icy Hot…
lol…lesson learned….
Pat,
I like your comparison here. I am into fitness and have always been patient with my body. But for some reason I thought escaping the 9 to 5 with my own business would be as quick as jumping off a cliff. I never compared it to the slow, building process just like building endurance and muscles. Very nice post.
Good luck with P90X!
-Travis
Thanks Travis, cheers! I left a comment on your blog, btw. Hope it helps!
Thanks for the ideas Pat! You have been such a big help to me and my online experiments.
Good comparison, I like the ideas you shared here.
That PX90 certainly looks brutal – I hope it goes well and will look forward to hearing your results
~James Dyson
Thanks James – I’ll keep you updated. Cheers!
Really Great post Pat!
Even though I have no knowledge of what P90X is, I can easily get your message.
Success really takes time and getting motivation from others really makes things easy.
Thanks a lot for the great post,
-Onibalusi
Glad that you can get the message without knowing what it is. That’s very reassuring. Thank you! Cheers!
Fantastic analogy Pat! I am naturally an impatient person, so this was timely for me. I’m building slowly and steadily, but do get impatient for me to get my VA business where I want it to be. I set a 5 yr. goal knowing it will take 5 yrs. to get there, but never quite settling for waiting. I’m always doing more to try and beat that goal, which can be a good thing. Problem is I drive myself crazy while I wait! LOL.
Serita – I’m hugely impatient too (just ask my wife). It can be tough to “wait it out”, but as long as I know I’m making progress and that I’m on my way, it makes me feel a whole lot better.
I love P90X, it definitely keeps me fit.
I don’t think it would be as successful if they had any other spokesperson. Tony is the right age to reach a very wide range of folks and he is obviously the real product. Even though I already own and use the DVD set, if I come across the infomercial I can still sit through the whole thing watching his cute self.
He is a clear case of walk the walk and talk the talk, which is something that a handful of entrepreneurs lose site of every now and then.
Great post! 🙂
I’m the same way Ms. Freeman – I can watch those infomercials all the way through no problem, however it’s not because of Tony! LOL.
Cheers!
Excellent post Pat. I love the relation between P90X and being a Successful Entrepreneur. The way that I have imagined it in my mind, is that each of them is the “game” and we have to commit to mastery of that game using the skills that we have, and the ones that we attain after we commit to playing and always getting better.
Great motivation today, always inspirational. I really hear where you are coming from when you say there is always work to be done, and I can tell that the fitness/health area of my life does suffer because of it. P90X seems like something I might be doing here soon.
Thanks again!
I love the game analogy Brandon, it fits perfectly.
If you do end up going with the program, good luck!
P90 has the best cap/sales pages.. and the order process is the best I have seen in a long time.
They do it very well.
Great Tips.
I can’t agree with you more John.
Oooh, Pat without his shirt on and all ripped?
I can’t wait for the ‘after’ pics. 🙂
I’m sure your wife can’t wait, either 🙂
Oh Karen, lol. You’re making me blush.
😛
Hey Pat,
I heard about this fitness program a couple a months ago. It sounds like it is grueling. I like this analogy. You are right. There are those who are ready to quit or just plain quit because they do not see immediate results.
So far, it’s pretty intense, Alicia. I’m going to do my best not to quit. I hope you and everyone else here will be on my back if I do!
I use this analogy every time. I also love the X and many of their programs. Steady and consistent with variety and yield big results in fitness and business and relationships and finances and…
Great post! I can relate to those before and after photos. Get ready to be impressed!
Perry Tinsley
Hey Perry – visited your site, good stuff. I love the pic of you and Tony, that’s awesome. It would be cool to meet him someday. How do you enjoy being a BeachBody coach?
I’ve been thinking of doing the P90X thing too. “Going to the gym” isn’t very motivating to me, but having a specific goal of going through this program would be.
It seems similar Seth Godin’s book “The Dip”, where there is a payoff coming up but you have to push through the “dip” of the effort vs. results curve. You’ll feel like you’re putting in all kinds of effort but are in danger of quitting because you’re not seeing results yet. If you just power through that dip, you will pass the point of seeing your prize, and be glad you didn’t give up.
On the other hand, you need to recognize when something is futile or not going to get you anywhere, such as a dead-end job, and know when to switch gears in life.
Do it dude! It’s definitely more motivating than going to the gym, I can tell you that. Plus, you save time because you’re already at home, and you don’t have to worry about germs or nasty people at the gym, lol.
Good point about “The Dip” too – there are those moments of no results that happen just before the line explodes and climbs the y-axis.
Hope all is well dude!
Haha…the y-axis. Awesome. Yep, getting ready to launch The Art of Woodshop Design blog site. The learning curve was steep, starting from having no idea about this stuff 6 months ago to scheduling myself to write blog articles. I’m sure there will be a “dip” there too. But I’m expecting it.
Pat, thanks for the insights. I’m training for a half marathon that will take place in September, but I think it pales in comparison to the P90X! After the half marathon, I’d like to aim for both P90X and a marathon! I read a great post from @larrybrauner describing internet business as akin to training for a marathon, and the analogy has stayed with me ever since. Same goes for P90X. I especially like what you said about the importance of writing and tracking, since that’s my weak area.
Good luck on the half-maraton Steve! When does that happen? Do you plan on doing P90x afterwards? It’s fun!
Hi pat i’ve been reading your blog for a while and find everything you post really well written and laid out…lots to learn for me! Thanks for sharing so much and looking forward to continuing to read your great stuff.
Thanks Beth! I appreciate it! Hope to hear from you again soon. Cheers!
Congrats on starting P90X! That’s one serious program. Here’s some advice from someone who has been into fitness for the past decade and tried P90X, only to be forced to stop four weeks in: Keep your weights a bit lighter than you think they need to be and your reps a bit lower! By the time you get into the third or fourth week, you might discover you’re overtraining yourself!
THanks for the tip Raam! I appreciate it! I hope I can go all the way through without injuring myself.
Good luck with your completion of P90X and I can’t wait to hear about the results. I’ve been meaning to try it and I think I may have to go buy it now. It seems to have worked well for people thus far. There’s no better time to get in shape than in the summer!
Yep! I hope I can strut down the beach at the end of summer with a nice set of abs, LOL!
HI Pat,
Welcome to the P90X world. I just started the program as well and am in week 2. I loved the marketing they have done across the board. Tony Horton has done a great job with all he has created. I’m off to do the Shoulders workout and another AB Ripper – these are some of the toughest workouts I’ve done! It was some folks like yourself mentioning P90X that got me to quit procrastinating and get it started. I look forward to hearing how you do – & thanks for the great info you’ve been sending out!
Awesome Lew! Congrats to you as well for starting, and I wish you all the best with your journey! Cheers!
I keep hearing great things about P90X, but to be honest, I’m a little scared of it. My girlfriend exercises with it periodically and acts like she was put through some kind of torture device once she’s done with a workout. Definitely seems like a high intensity workout program, and perhaps that’s why the results are so positive.
Honestly, Eric, if you apply yourself up to even 75% of the intensity of P90X, I really believe you’ll see great results. Like any exercise program, though, what you put into it is what you’ll get out of it. I would definitely recommend that you not be afraid of it, but embrace it…..I LOVE P90X….one thing I think sets it above alot of other programs is Tony Horton’s enthusiasm, motivation, and personality. There are some one liners he drops in those DVDs that never cease to get a chuckle out of me…
“a Teratactle flying in reverse” lol
Haha, I just went through X Stretch where he said that today. Tony is great, and anyone with that much enthusiasm and passion about what they do can succeed like he does.
Hi Pat,
Great to hear you’re experiencing some extreme fitness 🙂 I really like your list of teachings from P90X:
Success Takes Time to Achieve – Funny thing, especially in the fitness realm, so many people are “brainwashed” by infomercials saying just the opposite. Anything lasting takes times. Look at nature…the oak tree, the Gran Canyon, Half Dome…all took time…a lot of time to achieve. There’s not much in nature that creates quickly.
Keeping Track of Numbers is Important – This ties directly in the E.R. of SMARTER goals. Evaluate and Redesign. A person has to keep numbers in order to evaluate. Numbers are the bread crumbs of our journey, it we don’t keep them; we won’t know where we’ve been or where we’re going.
It’s a Good Idea to Take Breaks – So many people are looking for extreme ALL the time. Unfortunately when a person is running on all cylinders and in overdrive all the time, their parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest), never gets a chance to kick in. Sure extreme pushes a person’s boundary at one end, but rest allows the other end of the boundary to grow as well.
Motivation from Others is Key – Intrinsic motivation is paramount for success, especially in sports. But on those “down days” it’s a welcome relief to have someone else kick you in the butt.
Commitment – Nothing happens without complete commitment. Commitment means taking action and not stopping until successful. Try, I’ll see, I wonder…are all phrases with an escape clause. With commitment there is no escape clause until you are finished what you started.
Great post and best of success with your fitness journey.
Thanks for the kind words about my post, and thank you for an even better comment! Cheers Gregg, I appreciate it!
Awesome Pat! I am excited to hear about your progress. I think you are right about the similarities between business and exercise. Exercise takes consistency and drive just like business if you want to be successful.
Yep, exactly! Thanks Jonathan!
Pat, I’m on Day 41. Stick with it and you’ll be happy with your results. I happen to be listening to your “Tricks to Get More Comments On Your Blog” video on YouTube right now. This post is a good example of this strategy and its attraction to readers.
Thanks for the comment, and for also watching my vids, Sean! Congrats on getting almost halfway through! You must feel and look great!
Hi Pat,
I knew you’d like the proram, P90x. It has become my favorite workout program. Just a funny side note; my first go round with P90x, I replaced YOGA with a cardio routine. It took me a long time to make it through Yoga.
90 days sounds easy and who wouldn’t want to totally transform their body. The P90x like any successful business takes time, commitment and will power. You have to be willing to sacrifice to get the results.
I’ll be curious to hear what your favorite routine is. For me, it’s shoulders and arms – or Kempo. Take Care, Mike
Mike – so far, my favorite is Chest and Back. I felt so good after that. So many different push ups and chin/pulls ups. I love it!
Pat,
You mentioned P90X’s marketing campaign(s)….the funny thing is, I already own it, but I still get sucked into watching their infomercials….they are so well-thought out, presented, and flat-out genius, in how they not only engage potential customers who may be ‘on the fence’….but, there is something about those infomercials that suck in even people who have purchased before….reinforcing the brand loyalty, and, I’m sure, next product that ‘Beach Body’ releases, I’m sure they’ll be an amazing success as well.
Howie – like you I still watch their infomercials even though I own the product. They are super inspiring and the success stories always pump me up!
This is an interesting comparison between P90X and being an entrepreneur. I also think that at the end of each physical training, we need to reward ourselves with something we enjoy. This is similar to rewarding ourselves whenever we achieve a milestone in our business.
I’ve been into blogging for quite some time and this is definitely a effective and well written post. I signed up for your newsletter and shared it with my other blogger friends, so please keep up the informative posts!
Good luck on your blog, and feel free to comment and subscribe to my blog as well when you get a chance: Make Money Online with Dino Vedo.
Thanks so much, and lets stay connected and maybe share some ideas, do some guest posts, and get us both some more traffic and backlinks!
All the best,
Dino Vedo
Great comparison pat. I purchased p90x a fee weeks Ago and yet to start it, but i think u have just given me the inspiration ( even if it wasn’t the intention of the post :-))
ps r they ur arms in the picture at the beginning 🙂
Good analogy here Pat. Exercise is very much like being an entrepreneur. You’ve got to be 100% focused and 100% motivated. You won’t achieve results in either overnight.
Glad to see you pushing through this intense workout. It will change you as a person, so stick with it. I finished my 90 days around thanksgiving last year. It kept me energized and as someone that works from home as well, that is a huge deal.
I just finished Insanity yesterday. I’m not sure you’ve heard of it, but it is ridiculous. I challenge you to do Insanity after p90x. Let me know if you do. I would love to hear some stories.
Very insightful! Thanks for the excellent info and inspiring work!
Hey, Pat! Thanks for an inspiring post. As for the pics, let me know if you’d like to be featured on my blog about male fitness models 🙂 I do prefer you stick to internet marketing though because am learning tons from you!
I didn’t know you can use p90x to relate to entrepreneurship, Thanks! In the beginning i thought it was easy because all you had to do was couple push ups and jump around. But you have to constantly non stop for an hour! I did p90x for about 1 month and it was killing me softly!lol However, you will feel young and energetic again! My favorite was the yoga! After reading this post, I’m going back to start p90x again!
Hi Pat,
Great analogy that you have to relate P90X to entrepreneurship. I have been doing P90X also. I’m on day 42 today. I’m doing the P90X Classic. Oh yeah, I found your blog through some other blogs that I frequent and I was reading through it and noticed that your son has the same name as me, Keoni. It’s pretty cool to! Not many people have this name. Anyway, was curious on how you and your wife thought of it.
Take Care,
Keoni
Great post! I started P90X a few weeks ago to help with the stress of life. Being an entrepreneur is difficult but if you stick to it you will eventually succeed just like with P90X I am beginning to see results and man it is hard!
Thanks for the great post
Hey Pat. Thanks! Being a coach… it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done. The success stories and people who share are never ending. Just knowing and seeing lives change. Woah… a rush I never get tired of.
I bet you’re done with your round of the X by now. So… you happy?
great thanks showing it. i will give it a try. I do want to loose some weight. I didn’t bought this product because it was easily available for free for download.
Thanks!
Hi
I saw a picture of you earlier the before and current. Woooow thats some chnage in 60 days.
Ive dropped from 16 3/4 Stone to 14 1/4 in 4 YEARS 🙂 by eating less and eliminating foods that didnot agre with me.
Problem now is the old stomach is far from flat 🙁 Im going to look into this P90X and give it a try
Interesting blog in general by the way
Tom
p90x requires motivation and committment; which are also key ingredients for a successful entrepreneur.
congratulations Pat, its amazing how you’ve become soo lean in 60 days.
It’s awesome that you’ve started a venture twards physical fitness, and it does have a lot in common with making money (and success in general) I believe. As discussed above, these qualities can drive us in any aspect of our lives.
I just ordered the book Crush it. A friend mentioned it a few weeks ago and then I forgot about it so this was a good reminder. I signed up for your newsletter also. I have a Make Money Online blog also and you are exactly right that it takes alot of time and hard work too.
Great way to think of business through P90X. I love P90X. I want to look at how you do this passive income thing. Looks very interesting.