Let’s talk about one of the most important and foundational parts of anything worth having – laying the groundwork with training.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of professional business coaches. They all bring different backgrounds, specialties, and insights to the table – and each have given me inspiration in a unique way.
One of my favorite things about working with so many different coaches? Picking and choosing the most influential pieces of what I’ve learned – and running with it. My process has gone like this: work with a coach for a year or so. Take a break. During that break, take that information and analyze and test it.
I deeply digested the perspectives that I had gained during the sessions, formulated new and independent thoughts, and took time to apply the skills.
With each separate encounter, I was forever changed.
Early in my career, a coach of mine and I were discussing a life strategy.
He referenced the four Fs: Faith, Family, Finances and Fitness as key categories that build a solid foundation towards a happy and successful life. We discussed building specific goals, strategies, and action plans for each category.
One of the key components of this discussion was his reference to treating your mind and body like a professional athlete. If you’ve watched sports on television, you see the rigorous training and the wear and tear they endure on their bodies. Success takes attention to detail, much of it being away from the bright lights of the playing field.
We know the extensive lengths professional athletes go to maintain both their physical and mental toughness, and we tell ourselves that we would, of course, do those same things if we were in their position. That’s how they maintain their careers – and earn millions.
But I’m here to tell you, as professionals and entrepreneurs, how we ‘make our money’ is really no different.
We make our money by being mentally present, mentally tough, experts in our field, continually trying and failing in the process. How you feel physically impacts how you feel mentally. That endorphin rush you get from working out directly correlates to your ability to think long and hard about that new product line. The mind and body are so incredibly connected at all times.
From that perspective, our focus on our mental and physical health should be a top priority. More so than anything else. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at my list, and maybe it’ll inspire you to start one for yourself, too:
- Set goals – long and short term
- Be disciplined in the four F categories
- Closely monitor what you put in your body
- Less alcohol, more water
- Prioritize working out
- Take necessary breaks to clear your mind (and get in the sun, if possible)
Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Train yourself accordingly.