Enjoy the Process

I remember almost a decade ago, in a sit-down with friend and world champion jet skier Eric Malone, being told to really and truly “enjoy the process.” He told me that these would be the days I remembered – the days of running around doing a thousand things at once, feeling overwhelmed and underpaid, taking risks with no guaranteed payoffs.

He was right.

The Process:

I remember saying to my cousin’s husband ten years ago, “I just want to get one amateur fight to say I did it.” I remember driving up the mountain to Cambria Martial Arts on Mondays and Wednesdays after teaching Spanish to train. I remember sitting around the table with my family at Outback Steak House discussing whether I should move to Philly and train with Fight Factory or move to Jersey and train with AMA Fight Club, completely unaware of the people I would meet and the things I would do.

I remember fighting in a barn in Greencastle, PA. I remember receiving the call from my manager saying, “Congratulations, you are a UFC fighter,” and crying like a baby. I remember spending 15 hours on the road per week seeking out the best training I could find. I remember training on the center of the mat between Frankie Edgar and Georges St. Pierre at Renzo Gracie’s academy in NYC.

That is just a glimpse at the process that brought me to where I am today.

I started a new process just over a year ago, the process of becoming a professional speaker. I smile at how much I’ve gained in life this past year. It is the direct result of intentionally and actively seeking out the best guidance and input from various sources so I can be the best speaker possible.

This time, though, I’m that much further ahead. I’m taking notes, literally. My systems are that much more efficient. This is just the next phase of my journey, the next book (literally). With each new chapter in my life, I’ve learned to enjoy the process even more.

If there is just one thing I want you to take from here, it’s this: You can’t enjoy the process if you aren’t self-aware of the process itself. You need to know where you’re going to fully appreciate the process of getting there.

Enjoy the process of making this the best weekend eva!!!

Spaniard