The other day as I was flipping through the channels, I saw a commercial for the most ridiculous item I had ever seen in my entire life – The Shake Weight.
The commercial featured a handful of guys, who probably worked out 12 – 15 hours a day, shaking this ridiculous looking weight in their hands. At first, I thought it was a joke, but I soon realized that this was a serious advertisement for an actual product.
I remember thinking “Surely no one is stupid enough to buy this idiotic gadget, then stand in their living room and shake themselves silly until they get ripped muscles.”
But, then I saw the magic phrase that convinced me that this product would be a hit – “instant results”. The maker of this silly tool claimed that in just 6 minutes a day you too could look like the guys in the video.
We are a nation full of people that are absolutely addicted to immediate gratification. We want to put in as little effort as possible to achieve amazing results in every aspect of our lives.
I have some bad news for you. That’s not the way it works.
If you want great relationships, a healthy body, a solid personal financial statement and smarter kids it’s going to take a lot of work.
There is no such thing as a short cut or a quick fix.
I just finished a great book called Talent is Overrated, by Geoff Colvin who argued that the most successful and talented people in the world were not born that way. Tiger Woods wasn’t born with innate golf skills. Nor did he buy a magical instructional golf video after watching an infomercial that turned his game around. Colvin argues (persuasively) that like all great achievers Tiger Woods became the best golfer in the world because he outworked everyone else.
So, then next time you are tempted to buy a product or service that guarantees immediate results, resist the urge.
Remember, success comes from a handful of behaviors practiced over time until they become a habit.
There are no short cuts.
CJ McClanahan is the Founder of reachmore, which provides leadership coaching for small business and executives. Email CJ at cjm@goreachmore.com for the latest on reachmore’s revolutionary executive coaching program, Summit.
Tags: accomplishments, achieve, business coaching, coaching, commitment, Habits, happiness, Instant gratification, success
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This commercial is hilarious. The only thing better is watching the SNL version. Youtube it. It’s hilarious.
CJ, too funny. Shake Weight, lol. Manufacturers continue to create these product because they sale. Even the brightest of us has an AB lounge hiding around somewhere in their house. You made a good point, results come with persistence and not overnight.