Evan Sanders's Blog, page 71
February 27, 2015
Eternal Patience
Michelangelo once said, “Genius is eternal patience.”
The more time I spend on actually living, the more I realize how much patience and constant daily investments of time and effort into the future matter. These investments are acted out in the present, but they are creating the foundation for building a better tomorrow. I have no regrets in living this way at all, as I know that one day, as those grains of sand pile up, I will have built myself an entire castle.
I never used to do this. I dream of tomorrow but fail to act today. I would envision something fantastic but refuse to actually go out and build it. Why? Fear. Fear owned me. It ate me up. It took those grand visions and put a pit into my stomach. So I cowered. Cowered my way into the dark in fear.
No longer.
That man doesn’t exist in my life anymore. The other day I was looking at a progress photo of myself right before I moved back from LA and I just could see the fear in my own eyes. I could see the weight of the failures of the past on my shoulders and the lack of belief that was in my soul. It was tough seeing that man. But it was good for me. That picture of me is printed out and posted on my wall, and I remind myself every day that is who I am fighting against. I’m fighting against the man who wouldn’t fight for his dreams.
I’ve been on an absolute roll lately. I’ve been writing down goals, taking the time every single day to cross off my tasks on my lists, reading books, writing notes, and moving forward with a vengeance. Next week starts my first week of professional life coaching school and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a couple of years now and can’t believe it’s finally here. I’m excited because I’m going to get the foundation that I have been missing for such a long time and I also get to start working with people in real life. I’ve known that I’ve wanted to coach others for a living for a few years now, but now, I’m finally at a place where that is turning into a reality. Another dream come true.
Isn’t that a statement in itself – another dream come true.
As I just wrote that I realized that all these years of getting the clay moving are really starting to pay off. I started slow but as time went on, I’ve begun to speed up and take things to an entirely new level. It’s amazing how your life can just turn around when you put your mind to something. Sure you want it to happen faster than it actually is, but the fact of the matter is that have to have patience. Enter patience is the name of the game when you are trying to morph and change your life.
Invest into yourself every single day.
Don’t let a day go by where you haven’t received some interesting tidbit or some type of value that can help you move forward confidently into the next day. Always get something from the day. Over time, you will grow like crazy.
– Evan Sanders
Eternal Patience is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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February 23, 2015
When You Pour It On
Before I say anything, my new book “Two Wolves” launched a couple of days ago and it’s still available here for free! Snag it now before it’s gone. Here’s what people have been saying.
Truly exceptional! I’ve been battling with my two wolves and this has been superbly inspiring. I know it will be a long journey, and currently my spokes are a bit broken, but as a new father, this certainly goes a long way in helping me become a better man. – David Y.
I’ve just read two wolves and I must say it was the perfect antidote. I have been struggling to find a spark in my passion for writing again as it was dying, but reading this material brought back all the reasons I began to write for.
I actually read two wolves, just to pass time this weekend as I was flat broke but it spoke so much to me. I began reading your blog last year, I happened to stumble upon it and it always kept me going. I am so thankful I found your writing as it has blessed me in so many ways.
These days not many youth decide to read a book, or a blog for that matter but I intend to circulate this material to as many as possible. Every dream could die off due to lost hope, but reading this was the most encouragement I had in a long time.
Thanks ever so much and keep writing from the heart 
-Andrew
How much could you be? Like a tree, could you stretch your roots as deep into the ground as you can and reach for the skies to your maximum potential?
I ask myself this question a lot during the day. I ask myself this right before I am going to do something really hard. How much can you be Evan? What could you make out of this moment? What could you create today?
Les Brown has this amazing statement about living a good life. He says that if we do what is hard we will live and easy life, but if we do what is easy our life will be hard. I think that is very true. I know that the best things come to the people who work incredibly hard for what they want. Our greatest achievements and goals will be surrounded by tons and tons of effort and sweat. Without those things, we will never stretch beyond what we are currently capable of. So you have to grind essentially – you have to give your greatest effort.
How can you find out what your best is?
You have to be willing to audit your life down to the tiniest detail. Once we start focusing in instead of looking at the entire picture, we are able to see the little intricacies of our daily actions that determine our present state. What disciplines drove me to this point? How can I improve upon my daily actions? Where are my opportunities for growth? People don’t like to ask themselves these questions but it’s completely necessary. It’s necessary for those who want to grow and become more than they are right now. I think, inherently that’s just about everyone actually. I think if you asked a crowd if they could do it all over again…most people would say they could have achieved more.
It takes some work, but those little steps that you are focusing on create momentum and give you the ability to charge at your goals eventually with the faith that you focused on what really mattered. Sweat the small stuff…the small stuff is what ends up making the big things work.
In a week I enter into one of the most exciting phases of my life – professional life coaching school. I have absolutely no idea what to expect, but I think that’s the point. It’s going to change me, morph me, develop me and send me down a path towards achieving this massive vision that I have. I honestly couldn’t be more excited. I still get the chills when I hear live music and that crowd roaring…and I know that one day I will walk out onto a stage and hear that exact same roar.
But it’s time to work. It’s time to pour it on. It’s time to start doing the things I wasn’t doing before…because those are the things I know I have to do to become the man I’ve always wanted to become. This is an ever morphing and changing process of discovery and stretching my capabilities, but I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
Once more into the fray.
– Evan Sanders
When You Pour It On is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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February 21, 2015
I Have No Special Talent
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
– Albert Einstein
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I Have No Special Talent is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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February 20, 2015
Don’t Be Pushed By Your Problems
Don’t be pushed by your problems; be led by your dreams
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Don’t Be Pushed By Your Problems is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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Two Wolves Launches!
Dreams keep coming true
http://btrman.me/17jyepN
I couldn’t have had more fun writing this. So many memories. This book a concoction of the most important lessons I have learned over the past 4 years of writing in The Better Man Project. Thank you for being a part of this and supporting me
“Two Wolves” is available for you to read, right now, for FREE, via digital download.
http://btrman.me/17jyepN
P.S. If you think others would be interested in this, forward this email away! Also, Send me your thoughts about the book at thebettermanprojects@gmail.com
– Evan Sanders, The Better Man Project
Two Wolves Launches! is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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February 18, 2015
Let Yourself Be Silently Drawn
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.
– Rumi
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Let Yourself Be Silently Drawn is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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February 17, 2015
Top 21 Posts From The Better Man Project | 2014
The Rocky Balboa Speech That Dragged Me Out Of Hell
Description
The Rocky Balboa speech that dragged me out of hell could not have come at a better time, and would forever change the course of my life.
Backstory
Probably one of the most popular posts on The Better Man Project, the Rocky story lands as one of my personal favorites as well. Way back when Rocky Balboa came out on DVD, I was in a pretty bad place in my life. I was sick beyond belief and turned it on well past midnight and was absolutely captured by the profound messages strewn all throughout the movie. I think you’ll enjoy this post if you are struggling with making excuses about not going out and doing what you want with your life.
Don’t Lose a Diamond While Chasing Glitter
Description
I think most are disappointed not because they aimed too high and missed, but because they aimed too low and hit. Don’t lose a diamond while chasing glitter.
Backstory
It’s pretty darn easy to get distracted by glitter and take your focus away from the diamonds you have in your life. As the years have gone on, I have found that bringing in high quality is far better than bringing in excessive quantity. Maybe it’s the society we live in? Maybe not. The point is, it seems that there are many people who enter into your life who deserve a great deal of your time, love, and effort simply because they are amazing and they give you back the same. Never forget where you came from and who helped you get to where you are now.
Description
We all have a devil mucking around inside of us. Embrace the darkness within. Take a walk with it. Learn from it. Then choose light.
Backstory
One of the greatest periods of growth in my life has been throughout this past year. I was dealing with some pretty bad habits and things that were controlling my life, and I remember writing this piece after having visions of confronting my fears instead of running away from them. This is something I had never done before. O’ That Devil Inside is about embracing the darkness we each have within us and learning to understand it rather than hide from it. It’s only when we have true acceptance for ourselves that we can move forward with our lives.
Description
Women are beautiful.
Backstory
A year ago I was sent an article written by some complete jerk online who completely ripped women apart for completely unjustifiable reasons. I was asked for my opinion on the article and it struck me so negatively that I had to write something in response to it. This was my response, probably the most shared piece of content I have ever created, and it came straight from the heart. I haven’t had the easiest of times with women, but I do believe that they are all beautiful and deserve respect…not because they are women…but because we are all people who deserve love and care – doesn’t matter which race, gender, color, height, weight, etc.
Encouragement: The Dose Of Support Our World Needs
Description
Encouragement matters more than you think. In a world that has grown many methods of hate, we need more ways to spread positivity.
Backstory
Encouragement really does matter. I can remember the times in my life when people really brought me up and told me that they believed in me. Those were and still are very special times and I keep them close to my heart. I wrote this piece about encouragement because there are so many people out there hating on others and trying to make themselves feel better by bring others down. That’s no way to live your life. So bring people up and make each of them feel like they actually matter.
Description
Cold hearts are a weak barrier to love. Overt strength is not strength at all. It’s weakness acting to an audience. Love transcends everything.
Backstory
What is it like to really love? I find it to be such a rare but unimaginably great feeling. As time has gone on, my definition of what love is has grown significantly. I think for me it’s about understanding what it’s not rather than what it is. Experience has granted me that understanding many times.
Description
There is only one thing that breaks down walls: being gentle. In a world full of confrontation and hate, being gentle is defining being strong.
Backstory
I always loved the quote from James Dean that “Only the gentle are ever really strong.” I think it takes a lot more to be gentle with people than to be reckless and out of control. Over time I have tried to develop this trait in my life. I’ve toned down the sarcasm and jokes and pulled more from a side of understanding than anything. I love this change in my life and I wrote about them here.
Description
The masks we wear hinder our ability to shine as bright as we can. Take off the mask to engulf yourself in possibility and live wonderfully.
Backstory
We all wear masks at one time or another. I think one of the most courageous things you can do is admit that to yourself and to others and take the masks off. Masks protect us, but then again, they rid us of one of the greatest gifts of all – vulnerability. Vulnerability gives us the opportunity to see people (and ourselves) in the light of truth…further allowing us to move in a positive direction with our life. When we refuse to take the masks off, we will never see ourselves as we actually are.
Description
How bad do you want it? Are you willing to give up what makes you comfortable and sacrifice today for tomorrow? I’ve had to ask myself that question a lot.
Backstory
During the back end of my fitness journey, I had to start listening to speech after speech to keep me going and to fire up my motivation. How Bad Do You Want It a speech by Eric Thomas was playing in my ears over and over…and reminded me consistently that my pain was going to be a part of my final product. It turned out he was very right.
You Have To Want It More Than You Are Afraid Of It
Description
You have to want it more than you are afraid of it. Sometimes that’s a sliding scale, but excitement must always outweigh your fear.
Backstory
There is a very fine balance to life when it comes to your dreams and goals. The balance is between your fear and your excitement of making it happen. This formula, taught to me by my dad, has brought me great understanding about what it means to chase something…and where fear and passion fits into everything.
Laying A Hero To Rest: Greg Plitt
Description
Today, I lost one of my greatest heroes and mentors – Greg Plitt. Since I didn’t get to say goodbye to him, I wrote to him in today’s blog. Rest in peace.
Backstory
I was pretty heartbroken when Greg Plitt tragically died about a month ago. I never really had the opportunity to tell him or show him how much he had inspired me over the couple of years since I last saw him. Since I won’t ever get that chance, I decided to write an open letter and pray those vibes somehow reached far beyond this place.
Description
Because no one has ever talked shit about someone that didn’t mean something to them in one way or another. Not everyone likes peaches.
Backstory
It doesn’t matter how happy, caring, loving etc of a person you are, there will always be someone out there that will naturally hate you just because you are you. I couldn’t deal with that thought for a long time, but I finally worked it out in this blog.
Continuing To Walk While Totally Scared
Description
Courage is not the absence of fear. Anyone who isn’t scared is a fool. It’s about acting in the face of fear, and continuing your dream.
Backstory
We will always have fear. Fear will eat you up if you let it. Life is about acting in the face of fear and not letting it overwhelm you. Here’s how I deal with my fears.
Guts Over Fear: The Final Chapter
Description
Guts over fear. This is the final chapter of my journey, and what perfect timing for Eminem to inspire me once again. Let’s work.
Backstory
I struggled for the longest time with seeing something through and constantly find myself being inspired by the people and media around me. Sometimes you have to put yourself in the hands of others and trust that they will take care of you.
Description
Sometimes you have to have the courage to walk away with your head held up high no matter how hard it is.
Backstory
Not everything is going to be right for you. What was once right may change faster than you can possibly imagine. When this happens, you have to make the right decisions for yourself and walk away if need be. It’s not about quitting, it’s about changing your path on the course of something greater.
Description
We are capable of so much more than we could possible imagine. Our dreams are just the beginning of the great adventure. Then, we take the journey of life.
Backstory
On January 31st I accomplished a goal that I had had in my mind for 13 years. This post, one of my favorite posts ever, is about the feelings I had when I finally crossed that finish line.
Everything You Need To Know About My 14 Week Fitness Journey
Description
My first fitness journey of 2.
Backstory
This post is about taking my first step towards my dream and hitting a milestone I thought I would never achieve.
Description
Once in a while, you need to have an honest moment with yourself and understand what is truly going on in your life.
Backstory
I had a few moments this year when I really took a hard look at my life and the events that have occurred…and realized just how responsible I was for many of the things that had occurred. Those moments actually give you power. While they are hard to deal with, you see the truth vs. your perception…and the glasses begin to fall off.
Description
With 2014 coming to a close, I think about my life in the future and how I want to dedicate my life to service of others.
Backstory
My future has developed significantly in terms of what I was aiming to do with my life. As it stands, my life is heading towards being in service to others and giving them my best.
Description
I opened the door one night to a sound of a knock and I heard the voice outside say…”It’s you…now open up!”
Backstory
Maybe one of the most creative posts I have – this is all about what it would be like if you met your potential.
Description
Your going to hear this hum of the stands when you are on the field playing. The choice is yours – find a way to focus or be torn apart by the fans.
Backstory
Background conversations will always exist when you are putting yourself out into the open for the world to see. That’s a given. But how do you react to these conversations? Do you react at all? Do you stay silent? I think I figured out my own route on this topic.
Hope you like all of these,
Evan Sanders
Top 21 Posts From The Better Man Project | 2014 is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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A Tiger Doesn’t Lose Sleep
A tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep
– Zag
A Tiger Doesn’t Lose Sleep is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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I Will Show You The Secret
She arrived
To the rain covered street
The sweet smell of saturated concrete in the air
The light taking its time
To shower the ground as well
She walked in anticipation
Finally after all these years
She would hear the greatest secret of them all
The one she seemed to think I had
It was desperation that brought her to this place
More than curiosity
She had tried everything
Everything but what I seemed to know
The secret
Yes, she would finally have it
She had read the books
Heard the speeches
Tried the routines
Changed herself
And yet here she was…walking as if she was about to crack open another “way to the future.”
Desperate
Excited
But desperate
She says, “So, what is it?! What’s the secret.”
I looked at her and said…’You.’
…
…
…
You couldn’t manufacture a more perplexed look on someones face
‘You are the secret’
…
…
…
‘Your journey has been into everything else but yourself. Once you take the journey within, you will have the secret.’
I softly put my hands on her shoulders, smiled, and walked away.
After a few paces I turned back and said, ‘Once you believe that’s enough…there’s no telling where you will go!’
– Evan Sanders
I Will Show You The Secret is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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February 16, 2015
Forget All The Reasons Why It Won’t Work
Forget all the reasons why it won’t work, and believe the one reason why it will.
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Forget All The Reasons Why It Won’t Work is a post from: Inspirational Stories About Life
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