PHYSICAL Self: Do I Have What it Takes to Achieve Greatness

Wow... this is one of the Power of "P's" that will hit home with a lot of people.  When I do my live session on the Power of "P" and ask everyone to discuss which one of the 10 P's do you struggle with the most, outside of their PAST, their PHYSICAL well-being is always one of the top two.

Lets face it... if you aren't 100% physically, you can't give 100% of yourself as a leader of any group of people or organization.   How we feel physically affects so much of our emotions and decision making.  When you are not healthy physically, it leads to a higher number of poor decisions and mood swings.   Knowing that, it makes sense for you to do everything you can to take good care of yourself.

Everyday, people depend on you to be at your best so you can function at the highest levels of success.  Your association members, your staff, your family, and groups you volunteer for, need you to be on your game so you can be there when needed.

The crazy thing with being healthy is so much is in our control:

• We can get more sleep
• We can work out
• We can watch what we eat
• We can watch what we drink
• We can get our annual physical
• We can take the medication the doctor prescribes for any illnesses

There are a lot of health issues that are out of our control and there isn't much we can do when they occur.  My goal today is to encourage everyone in the areas we have great control over.

Most healthcare costs are driven by a number of conditions that we can have influence on including:

• Obesity
• Heart Conditions
• High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol
• Liver Issues

The following chart was taken from Men's Health Network to illustrate controllable risk factors and their relationship to chronic diseases.  Take a look:

As you can see from the top line, poor decisions about your health greatly enhance the opportunities for you to have poor health, which will eventually work its way into your job performance.

I want to encourage everyone reading this blog to take charge of your physical and emotional health today.  Take the steps to ensure you are healthy.  See a professional if you have to.  When you are healthy, you feel great, which leads to building confidence and better job performance.

Just because you are not on a professional sports team, doesn't mean you don't have to be in shape.  The rigors of leading an organization, at any level, can be demanding both physically and mentally.  It's critical you have an effective training plan that includes:

• Periodic reading on leadership and management to keep your mind healthy with new ideas
• Some type of physical activity; training 3 to 4 times a week
• A balanced diet
• Networking with friends to keep your social mind fresh
• Take a look at other habits or decisions you make that can lead to poor health and seek advice on them

A recent study showed 37% of America is considered obese, and by 2030, 50% of America will be obese.  For many, they can take control of their bodies and not be one of those statistics.

There is nothing wrong with, "work hard, play hard."  The question is..."are you being responsible in your playing hard, or are you working out hard so you can play hard without diminishing your health?"  Put a plan together today on how you will begin to take better care of yourself so those who depend on you, can count on you, because they know you care enough about yourself to take care of yourself.