Tony Robbins- the real deal?

If you knew me in high school, I was pretty shy. I was a “nice guy”, right? I never got bullied, never got in a fight, never got into trouble. Not even once.

A classic grade-grubbing goody two shoes- I quietly played the game called school: studying, taking tests, getting As, receiving praise. Even got a certificate for my perfect attendance.

With comb-over hair (right to left) and cardigan sweaters, whew!, no wonder I had so much time to study.

When I was in elementary school, I only got blue slips, not yellow. I never got my name written on the board except once in fifth grade by Mrs. Kruthoff during Spelling. After class, holding back the tears, I told her the reason I was talking was because I was helping Jamie Weinbauer.

And then she erased it. I forgive her and Jamie Weinbauer.

In fourth grade, Mrs. Paulson’s class, I cried when I got like five wrong on a spelling test. Wasn’t going to let that happen again!

Failure.

My mom says that when I was in kindergarten, I’d let the other kids cut in front of me in line for the slide.

I still do.

Freshman year in college I dealt with some depression. I was lonely. Got counseling.

The one time I did express an interest in a girl in my dorm, I left a single rose in front of her door and it scared the living shit out of her. So now on top of being depressed, I was a stalker. Real nice move, prince charming.

I spent the majority of my twenties and early thirties single. I thought someday the girl of my dreams would fall from the sky and land on my lap like the romantic comedies in the 90s. Julia Roberts would walk into my bookstore or I’d be at the Empire State Building at just the right moment for Meg Ryan to show up. Happily-ever-after.

I was a born introvert. End of story.

I went to the same school as Sarah Menzel since kindergarten and never had the guts to ask her out once. She was out of my league.

There were times growing up when I came out of my shell, but ‘introvert’ never stopped from being my default mode.

Now I’m 37. After last weekend, I realize that practically nothing has changed since fourth grade. I’ve been telling myself the same stories. She’s out of my league. I’m not good enough. I don’t have the skills or background to start my own business. I’m not smart enough. I don’t have enough talent. I’m too old to start now. I don’t have what it takes.

I’m 37 and have been telling myself the same bullshit stories again, and again, and again. And I’ve been unconciously making decisions my entire life based on one thing.

Fear.

The fear of rejection, the fear of disappointing the people I love, the fear that I’m not enough, the fear that I won’t be loved.

That is, until I met Tony.

I didn’t actually meet him in person, probably never will, though I feel like I know him. I was inside the Prudential Center with 14,000 other people: millionaires, CEOS, business owners, celebrities, people from 70 different countries and the one man on stage that everyone had come to see. When 13,999 people from 70 different countries were raising their hands when Tony asked “Who has experienced this in your life?”, I learned that there’s nothing special about how I feel or what goes on in my monkey mind. There are patterns in human thinking.

All human beings experience the same two primary fears in life.

1. We’re not good enough.
2. We won’t be loved.

After going to Unleash the Power Within, I have an unfair advantage in life after having the chance to learn from the man himself, Tony Robbins. It was freakin’ awesome.

One of the best decisions I ever made.

What are your bullshit stories? What’s stopping you from moving forward?

You could take a minute to write yours down. We all have them. Tony calls them our limiting beliefs.

Here’s some advice.

Go. Do it. Unleash.

My guess is that most people go through their whole lives and never learn how to live the life they desire. Fear is in control. Most people settle in at least one area of their lives. Do you agree? Most people give up on their dreams. We choose comfort over extraordinary.

But does that mean you have to?

I’m no expert, but I know this guy. He’s kind of like a real life Yoda, except that he’s 6’7’’- wears size 16 Nike shoes- and has big teeth.

After four days at Unleash the Power Within, I’m still a “nice guy”, still have the same fears of rejection…

But now I freaking rock!!!

Full Disclosure: I do not receive any commission or any kind of compensation whatsoever for referrals to Tony Robbins events. This is my honest opinion.

P.S. Dear Tony, you may never read this, but just in case, I want to say thank you. For me, coming to Unleash The Power Within was grace.

Have you harnessed your fears? Leave your comments or questions below.