People often ask why, as a performance coach, I focus so heavily on the physical aspects of health & nutrition, when it seems like really this is all about mindset?
Of course, mindset is crucial when it comes to achieving success. Your mental state can impact everything from your decision-making abilities to your ability to take risks and persevere through challenges. However, many entrepreneurs make the mistake of focusing solely on mindset when it comes to achieving their goals. Mindset isn’t enough on it’s own. And in fact, in order to maximise your mindset, you need to have the physical building blocks to do so.
That’s why, for every single person I work with, the plan for beating overwhelm will ALWAYS cover the basics not just of mindset and goalsetting, but of nutrition, physical health and self health too. If you’re not paying attention to the physical stuff, you’re leaving too much on the table when it comes to your business.
Here’s my top 4 reasons you need to build a physical foundation for a robust mindset
1. Energy and Focus
You have a lot on your plate. Then you’ve got plenty of other full plates around you that you now need to work out not just how to spin, but to juggle with as well. You’re ridiculously busy. Your to-do list seems never-ending. You know what you need to get all of this stuff done? ENERGY. And that doesn’t come from nowhere (it also doesn’t exclusively come from coffee…). You need physical energy in the form of the food that you eat, which also provides nutrition to keep your brain functioning as effectively and efficiently as possible. Alongside this, a good exercise programme will keep the blood pumping to your brain and give your mind that much needed daily chemical bath of happy hormones, proven to improve memory and mood, which will all put you in the right place for maximum productivity and enjoying the process as you go.
2. Improved Resilience
Running a business is not easy, and there will be times when you face setbacks and challenges. In order to bounce back from these keep pushing forward, you need to be resilient. When you take care of your body, you build up your resilience and ability to cope with stress. Living in a chronically sleep deprived, stressed out, nutrient deficient, sluggish sedentary state is simply asking your body to focus on staying alive, instead of looking after it and allowing IT to help YOU out. This a two way relationship. If you maximise the care you give your body, it can give you way more robustness, energy and endurance back.
3. Better Decision Making
Making important decisions is a significant part of running a business. However, when you are not taking care of your physical health and nutrition, it can be challenging to make sound decisions. Research has shown that poor nutrition and lack of exercise can impact cognitive function, making it harder to think critically and make good decisions. Eating well and getting regular physical activity in has the exact opposite effect and will make you more rational, calm and confident in what you’re doing as well as leading to better perspective over the long run.
4. Improved Confidence
The world of lifestyle business ownership is rife with imposter syndrome and stories of “fake it til you make it”. But you know what guarantees more success, more fulfilment and less overwhelm? Authenticity. Confidence in yourself and your message. And the easiest ways I know to achieve long term confidence, is by acknowledging the importance and sense of achievement that comes from nurturing your body. You feel the difference and the change on the inside and simultaneously see the result on the outside. What’s the overall result? Someone that walks into any networking event, client conference or important meeting and oozes “I am a bad ass hero capable of anything, hire me.”
When it comes to business, the way to get consistent results, reduce overwhelm and find balance is by paying attention to physical health and nutrition. You can boost your energy and focus, build up your resilience, improve your decision-making abilities, and increase your confidence. So, if you are not already making your health and nutrition a priority, it is time to start doing so. Remember, you cannot achieve true success if you are not taking care of yourself first. In fact, one could argue the entire definition of success is in fact serving yourself in the pursuit of serving others…?