When I worked at a Silicon Valley dot-com back in
the late 90's, I found myself at risk of losing my job.
The boss wanted me to help with the programming a complex
software application for the website, something I had no
experience in. But I had no choice, unless I wanted to find
other means of employment.
So I gave it my best shot although it was incredibly difficult
for me. It was so hard, in fact, that I just couldn't do it, no
matter how hard I tried. I was completely lost.
And there was no one at the company who would help me.
The other geeks were expert coders and could have easily
helped, but they wouldn't. I was all alone to fend for myself.
I bought as many books as I could get on the subject and
studied my rear off. But it was all to no avail. After weeks
of trying, I could not write a single line of code. I was dead
in the water and my job was at risk.
But thankfully a new employee was hired. When I first met
him I did a double take: He was Asian and dressed in cowboy
boots, a cowboy hat, tight jeans with a world champion belt
buckle. He always had a big wad of chew between his cheek
and gums. Best of all, though, was his very pronounced
Texas accent which sounded like it should have come from
anyone but him.
His name was Jake Chu. He was a Chinese cowboy and an
expert programmer who could code anyone under the table.
It took a while for my eyes and ears to adjust to the anomaly
that was Jake Chu. But until I got to know him he was just
a riddle to me which I couldn't wrap my head around.
However, unlike the other nerd programmers there who
ignored (and annoyed) me, Jake befriended (and befuddled)
me. Actually, he was more than just nice. He took me under
his wing and taught me to write code.
He loved coding. He loved it so much that he wanted me to
see its beauty. So he took the time to coach me making sure
I got all the fine points and nuances that go into making a
solid software program. It wasn't long before I was good at
coding myself. What was once something that I couldn't do
and detested, I was able to do and began to appreciate and enjoy.
Cowboy Chu had three rules on learning software programming:
1. Start from the beginning - No matter how good you are
(or think you are), start from the start and learn the basics
first and foremost. From there, build up on this solid foundation.
2. Don't overwhelm yourself - There's no better recipe for
failure than trying to do too much too soon right out of the
gate, especially if it's too difficult for you.
3. Take small steps on a big journey - You can accomplish
anything, big goals included, as long as you do a little at a
time and progress forward with a definite plan.
These lessons apply to fitness as much as they do to learning
to code software. If I could learn to do something I hated (and
felt like it hated me back), then you can get fit and strong.
You can even learn to love exercise (if you don't already), if
you follow Cowboy Chu's rules. There's no difference at all.
This is exactly how my brother Andy and I designed our
Gymnastic Abs http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html
Steps to success, starting from the beginning and getting
you to an incredible place. A place you never thought you'd
get to.
Wishing you the best,
Eddie Baran
P.S. Just as Chu loved coding, I love exercise. And I love
teaching it to others. You'll see what I mean when you go
here http://www.eddiebaran.com/gymnastic_abs.html