Leaders Understand Physical Strength Is a Must

No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training.
It’s a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty
and strength of which his body is capable.
~ Socrates

Regardless of whether I’m doing executive coaching or business consulting, I utilize a comprehensive performance model called the 5 Dimensions of Leadership and Performance®.

There are five distinct dimensions of leadership and performance;
and to be remiss in any of the five areas, is to be missing your potential.

While it’s not the purpose of this entry to cover all 5 Dimensions, I will do a cursory overview of one dimension that most often tends to be lacking in busy executives, business owners and entrepreneurs.

Physiology.

In other words, physical health, fitness, and energy.

Let’s face it. If you’re going to accomplish even a fraction of your
potential in life and business, it’s going to take a tremendous amount
of energy to do it. Energy is a primary resource and it cannot be undervalued.

A highly successful advisor on Wall Street was consulting with me a couple of years ago. Our first meeting was at a bar called The Dead Rabbit on Water Street. Not my first choice, but he was the client.

As we attempted to talk over the happy hour buzz, I asked him about the structure of his day. When he finished I asked him, “Do you workout?

He replied with the same comment I’ve heard more times than I can count, “I don’t have time to workout James, I’m too busy. But I do walk from the subway to my office each morning” he concluded.

I told him that was far from enough; and attempted to convince him that he must workout daily and promised him it would positively affect his performance in every way.

Likewise, to not workout would majorly affect his performance in a negative way.

He wasn’t listening.

Sometimes you’ve been so conditioned in a lie that
truth itself knocks at your door, and you turn it away.
~ Siddhartha Gautama Buddha

I’m saddened to report that in less than a year from that meeting, I was informed he had a massive heart attack. 

Some people are so busy playing the short-game
that they totally neglect the long-game.

Let’s forget health and longevity for just a moment and focus purely on productivity.

Adding More Life to Your Years #1

Neurosciences now tells us that the neuro-cocktail received from a good weightlifting workout makes you more focused, inspired, creative, and productive.

It enhances non-lateral thinking and dumps neurotransmitters which allow you to get through challenges and not “lose it.”

Now let’s come back to longevity.

The bottom line is that if you’re going to do great things, you’re going to need to be around for a long time to do great things.

It takes a long time to do big work. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking otherwise.

It took me the better part of 20 years to build my first Inc. 500 company. Once you know how to do something, you can shorten the gestation period. 

But there’s no way whatsoever that you can ever circumvent the gestation period.

Do you have big goals and intentions for your life?
Big goals and intentions take time. Persevere. It’s worth it.

I’m constantly told, “I’m so busy James. I don’t have time to workout.”

My answer, “You don’t have time to not workout.”

It’s Time for Conditioning

Reference my client example above. This is one of a multitude of common occurrences that occur every single day.

Other times people say to me, “It’s expensive to eat healthy, buy a gym membership, and take supplements.”

Yes, it is.



And it’s not nearly as expensive as being sick and physically broken. The down time and opportunity cost of a broken body is enormous!

I recently had an uninsured family member go to the emergency room; and it cost him $10,000!

So, you invest now, or you pay later.

Leaders know that investments bring a lifetime residual; and they become strong of body, mind and spirit.

Your move.

Be a Leader. Live Your Purpose; and Take Your Power Back!

James