Have you ever heard of the 212 degree principle? Years ago, I led a sales team of young entrepreneurs. We met for a national convention in San Francisco. We were all in the wellness industry, working with people to raise the awareness of health issues and nutrition across the country. I was a National Trainer at the time for the company and spoke on stages from city to city. These young, business minded individuals that I led remind me now of what young athletes are like. With the drive and desire, they only called on me every so often to mentor and guide them. The rest of the time they took the field as a team, I on the sidelines coaching when needed. I worked with them on accountability, leadership, and team-building philosophies. They grew and learned from each other. It was a very rewarding time for us all.

Our focus the year we met in San Francisco was doing "just a little bit more" than we thought we could, or should... or would.

It was about raising it up a notch and pushing hard to touch more people, raise more awareness, and ulitmately, sell more products for the scientists who were putting together an awesome new health supplement for the public in the fitness industry.

That quarter, our motto hinged on the 212 principle, written and designed by Sam Parker and Mac Anderson.

Just a few weeks ago, someone sent it to me asking if I had ever heard of it... I was amazed... it had come back to me and the very principle we screenprinted on tshirts when I was a business coach sparked a feeling of nostalgia and of purpose.

This is what the theory says:

"At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water , comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive."

The idea? Seemingly small things... ONE DEGREE... can make trememdous differences. Why would you ever enter into anything with anything less than a commitment to achieve what you set out to do in the first place?

They go on to say, now that you are aware of "the extra degree", you will no longer be able to do just what is required of you... Because with this awareness comes responsibility, to yourself and to others.

So with that, what kind of ideas does this conjure up in your own mind about what you can do to employ this concept? It's contagious... it spreads. Grab hold of one or two ideas today and start changing your habits. At work, do one extra thing that you aren't expected to do. At home, add 15 extra minutes to the time you spend with your children, or with your parents. Because the truth is, time is one thing you can NEVER get back. ONce it's gone... it's gone. As a socially responsible being, help one random person, or someone in need.

With contact comes opportunity. If you practice these things, once every day, you will find that at the end of the year, you will have opened more than 350 additional doors of possiblity, in your world and in the world of others. Risk, Dream, Challenge yourself. Step our of your comfort zone once a week, make commitments to get thigns done. This is your life. This is what makes us stronger.

This is 212... NOW YOU ARE AWARE... It's time to turn up the heat.