"SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SHADE TODAY BECAUSE SOMEONE PLANTED A TREE A LONG TIME AGO."  ~ Warren Buffett

Is it possible for any one person to have success alone?  Before the tree is planted there must first be a seed.  The seed is the concept, the idea, the starting point of something greater.  

Is the inventor of the "seed" the same person who actually plants the tree ("execution")?  Sometimes, yes.  Most times, no.  As I write this blog, I have invested almost 5 years of my life planting ("executing") the seed of another.  Nurturing and cultivating the growth of the tree that is now growing stronger, bigger, branching out, and ready to produce the beautiful leaves - the opportunity of shade ("the reward") for others.

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.  ~Newt Gingrich"

 Couldn't have said it better myself!  I am immersed in a stretch of time since April 14, 2010 where I have not had more than one day off at a time.  I have worked 7 days per week carrying so many hats and digger deeper than I have ever done before.  Why? All the branches of the tree are filling in, the branches are no longer empty twigs but are full of leaves - the very leaves producing shade.  I have in 45 days delicately coaxed the leaves into the perfect final patterns, the perfect final arrangement that will bear rewards for others.

"Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it’s not going to get the business " ~ Warren Buffett

Nicely put, Mr. Buffett.  Well, I believe our seed/tree/shade is something special.  Our shade tree very well may be the best damn tree that the fitness industry has seen in 30+ years.  @501FIT in Minneapolis (my fitness studio which is significant branch on the tree) has been the stage for G-Werx ("the premium brand") which I liken to the trunk of the tree. 

I have worked tirelessly to grow and nurture the G-Werx tree - I have planted, watered, pruned and arranged the leaves to produce the perfect shade.  Was it easy - hell no!  Truthfully, the last several years have been the hardest years of my life.  Yet, the efforts, the sacrifice and the perseverance will be something I hold dear and have reason to be proud of even when confronted with people who by money not effort will own the shade. 

Their returns, the reward of shade!  As they say, you can't put the cart before the horse...
First the seed, then the growth of the tree with the branches and leaves BEFORE the shade!

“Difficult People are your key to self empowerment, you need to learn how to cope with them, not let them dominate and affect you.”  Janice Davies


Interesting sentiment that touches close to home.  Well, the tree is planted and the shade will come now.  For the last several months I have pleaded for patience and logical progression of efforts - meaning, one person can not grow, nurture and complete the tree if others are on to the shade.  The tree is just about finished....

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.  ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Thank god I have a good pair of sunglasses I bought before I invested everything I own into building a tree so others will reap the benefits of the shade.  Best of luck!

Warren Buffett Quote - Broschka Interpretation

"Long ago, Sir Isaac Newton gave us three laws of motion, which were the work of genius. But Sir Isaac’s talents didn’t extend to investing: He lost a bundle in the South Sea Bubble, explaining later, ‘I can calculate the movement of the stars, but not the madness of men.’ If he had not been traumatized by this loss, Sir Isaac might well have gone on to discover the Fourth Law of Motion: For investors as a whole, returns decrease as motion increases"  ~ Warren Buffett 

Broschka > I understand the need for results and completion of tasks in route to success, but know haste and aggressive forcing of outcomes does not achieve outcomes faster.  Rather, serves to interfere and postpone the very progress sought.  I believe there is a logical order of tasks with dependencies and natural connection; while it would seem ideal to finish everything at once my mind of interconnected parts sees a progression of logical priorities. 

I understand there is a sense of urgency via the infamous "window of opportunity" but I also believe that innovation that is truly innovation not a copy or imitation has no extra needed expediency beyond the well thought out pace by which to put the best position forward to the best target market at the time when best ready.   However, this can't take forever, either!

Increased motion (for the sake of rushed action only) decreases returns!  
As they say, haste makes waste!
~ Diana Broschka

Disclaimer, this is Broschka's interpretation of the quote (yes, perhaps taken out of context) in connection to her personal journey to launch a new product/service in the fitness market with partner Phil Martens which by far whether in tangible dollars or blood, sweat and tears is her personal greatest investment to date!

Are you Living Life? Or, is Life Living You? A Tribute to Les Martens

My business partner and friend, Phil Martens, will celebrate the life of his father Dr. Les Martens today with his family and friends close by.  A perfect time to reflect on life and life's journey.  I will be there in spirit.

Les was an accomplished man, he lived life by his plan. At 72 Martens was too young to die but at the same time, I don't think he had any regrets - I think he did life his way!  Dr. Martens was an investor and owner of 501FIT - Thank you Les!

501FIT client Tim DePrey is playing Les' piano today at the memorial service at MacPhail Music.  Les' piano was donated to MacPhail. Thank you Tim!

In closing, Dr. Les Martens wrote me a thank you card days before he passed away which I will cherish forever - I sent him some flowers and a silly duck that sang songs to brighten his last days - he wrote....  "Diana, Flowers are beautiful!  Thanx  AND The lil ducky is cute and most amuzing.  Thanks for Thinking of Me. ~ Les"    - Les, you are most welcome!  I will be there today in spirit! Peace be with you always Les!

Are you living life?  Is life living you?

Are you following your life's passion? 
Are you an influence to others in life?

What Does Freedom Mean to Me? You?

As we celebrate another year of Independence, let's reflect on what "freedom" means to us individually.  Is freedom simply living in the USA or is there a deeper meaning?

I moved to MN in 2004. Who moves to MN in December? ME!  I did not know anyone, had never even been to MN before yet decided to uproot myself from life as I knew it to test myself.  What would I miss out on if I did not go?  
  

Then, freedom was about having options and the personal means to choose.  Freedom meant I could take care of myself; that I had the financial means on my own to afford myself options and choices without barriers - freedom was the right to experience life.

Now, freedom is still about choice, options and the right to experience life but is no longer tied to financial means to fund those choices but rather freedom is personal awareness, inner authority empowering me with the voice to trust and honor myself first.

What did I risk missing out on if I did not come to MN?

INNER FREEDOM!

WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?

 

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