If you are a leader of people then you know that you are responsible for the output as well as the growth and development of others. This is no easy task, it demands a lot of you. When we ask leaders from around the world what part of their job demands the most energy the resounding response is, “my people”. In order to be effective with others you have to first take care of yourself. Perhaps it would help to define what mean:
ENERGY
- The capacity for work or vigorous activity
- Exertion of vigor or power
- Vitality and intensity or expression
It is my philosophy that it is the combination of Fuel + Fit that delivers your best in body, mind and spirit. When you feel your best, you can bring out the best in others…it can be limitless.
Fuel: The fuel sources for your body are the things that you consume that provide you with energy, the things that help sustain your output and vitality. Fuel is not only the nutrients that you eat and drink but also what you are reading, who you are interacting with, self-talk and how you spend your time. How are you feeding your mind, body and spirit? Is it increasing or depleting your energy to lead?
Fit: Think of your fitness as health and wellness – the condition of your body, mind and spirit. Your fitness means how much and how well you move your body, and also how well you recover from that movement. How fit do you feel in body, mind and spirit?
While we know that we should take care of what we put into and take out of our lives, there are many things that get in the way. In considering barriers specific to the workplace to achieving optimal fuel and fitness, we have identified 3 common variables:
Travel: For those of you that travel often, your routine is different from day to day. It is certainly different from your days at home. It is hard to get into positive nutrition and fitness routines, your sleep is often compromised and the days are long. Preparation is key to a fuel and fit lifestyle on the road.
“The Office”: Our bodies were not built to sit at a desk, shoulders rounded over a computer screen for 8-12 hours a day. We have to fight hard to break up our day and make sure to reverse the effects that sitting day and in day out do to our body and mind.
Personal Boundaries: For some, working from 6:30 AM– 10:00 PM is a regular day. No wonder we don’t have the time to care for ourselves, when could we? Putting boundaries in place is essential, first for your own well being, and for those you count on for results. No one else is going to value your self-care if you don’t.
No matter which barrier you struggle with; the first, and most challenging step is overcoming the inertia of making a change. After that, we know that bodies in motion tend to stay in motion. In the blog posts that follow here I will go more in depth on how to overcome and prevent the personal and professional wear and tear inherent in regular business travel, “office” imprisonment and the lack of personal boundaries.
For more information on how to improve your Fuel and Fitness for your Leader’s Lifestyle, please feel free to contact me, Natalie Peterson, at ‘natalie@donbrown.org’.
-Natalie Peterson MS, CSCS, RYT
Natalie is a naturally positive and energetic coach, speaker and transformational leadership development expert. She believes in a few simple truths when it comes to making things happen in your life. It starts with owning, knowing and developing who you are and continues with making sure that you are as healthy as possible in mind, body & soul. Natalie has a natural ability to see the best in people and to help bring that out in them. She would love to do the same for you.
web: www.nataliepeterson.net
email: natalie@donbrown.org
Facebook: Facebook.com/NataliePetey
