PMO Tips: What works for you may work for others

I know of a man, and you know this man to, who despite his weight problem became a successful model and actor. If you are over 40, you may remember him in a Fruit of the Loom commercial wearing the grapes. Even though this man was successful, he was not happy and did not feel good about himself. And one day, he found a note on his car that read, “Fat people die young, please don’t die - an admirer.”

Well, this young man went on a crash diet and lost over 100 pounds in just a few months. And, the dramatic weight loss, achieved primarily by starvation, almost killed this young man and resulted in his hospitalization. Undeterred and while recovering in the hospital, he decided to learn by his mistakes and try all over again to lose that weight safely through good nutrition and exercise appropriate for someone in his condition. After losing more than 200 pounds safely and keeping it off, he then wanted to share his lessons learned and new technique with others. And not to make money, but to make others with this problem happy and to change their lives as his had been changed. This young man was so passionate and enthusiastic about his newfound knowledge and calling, that people soon began to come to him for advice and inspiration and support. What he had started soon became a business.

Today, Richard Simmons is recognized all over the world for his weight loss crusade and has become a very successful, famous, and happy man. But he could not have achieved all that he did had he not learned from the things that didn’t work and the mistakes that nearly killed him.

As with so many things in life whether at home or work or even the PMO, what works for you may very well work for others. So, when you encounter and overcome a difficulty, take the time to share your solution or approach with others so they too can have success.