HOW DO YOU PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY PIT STOP?

Racing cars are tuned to perform optimally in high intensity races. Professional teams have a plethora of engineers and mechanics all dedicated to optimising the performance of their car. 

They may have the finest engines and innovative engineering but they still need to pit stop! 

In any given race the driver and his team must plan their pit stop strategy. This determines when they enter the pit lane, to take on fuel, change worn tyres and conduct repairs prior to rejoining the race. 

At first glance it may appear that there is an advantage to a driver by avoiding taking a pit stop. They can gain a lead over their competitors who have temporarily left the race. 

However the reality is this is a delusional strategy. What you gain in the short term you lose over the long term. Either your tyres will become so worn the driver will lose control of the car or the car will run out of fuel. 

All that horsepower and precision engineering means nothing if you run out of fuel. The car is rendered useless and is officially out of the race. 

What doe this have to do with Leadership you ask? I want you to think of your physical and mental health as your personal equivalent of a high performance racing car.

Now ask yourself the question, how well are you looking after it? Are you planning and taking regular pit stops that will enhance your physical and mental health?

Or are you pushing yourself to the limit and staying out on the track hoping to gain a competitive advantage whilst hoping you do not run out of fuel!

In my capacity as a coach and mentor I have the pleasure of working with high performers in a diverse range of roles and sectors.

What is becoming increasingly apparent is that far too many are staying out on the track. Yes, they are performing well professionally but they are taking liberties with their physical and mental health and several have experienced burn out as a consequence. 

It is my job to help clients focus on what they need to do to create habits and strategies that enable them to create high performance but crucially, in a sustainable way. 

Naturally this can be a complex process but here are two relatively simple steps to get started!

What brings you joy? In this instance you cannot state the obvious answer of your children, partner or extended family. I want you to think about a passion or a hobby that you do just for you.

Once you have the answer look at your calendar and make sure that activity is scheduled somewhere. 

I love the diverse range of answers I receive when I first ask clients this question, but it invariably frustrates to discover how infrequently they allow themselves to engage in that task. 

Doing something for you is not selfish. It is a critical step to ensuring you pit stop and refuel. It does wonders for your mental health!

It is worth noting that Winston Churchill said “The cultivation of a hobby and new forms of interest is a policy of first importance.” Nobody can deny the gravity of what he was wrestling with as a Prime Minister and a key global leader in World War Two. He still found the time for what brought him joy, his hobby of painting.

If Winston Churchill found time to paint within his To Do List I am sure we can all find the time!

I would also like you to reflect on your evening routine. How do you power down at the end of the day and prepare for a restful and restorative nights sleep?

Sleep has to be the simplest and most effective way to facilitate a pit stop and replenish energy. However many of the high performers I work with have struggled with poor quality sleep for years. 

One of the simplest and best pieces of advice I have found came from Brendan Burchard which he called 3,2,1. 

Eat three hours before you go to bed, stop work two hours before bed and switch off screens and devices (to stop exposure to blue screen and the associated melatonin disruption) one hour before bed. 

Easy in theory but hard in practice and a great place to start. Are you able to practice 3,2,1 consistently? 

The harsh reality is that we all want high performance in all aspects of our professional roles and personal lives, but if we fail to find ways to refuel and pitstop appropriately we run the risk of sub optimal performance at best and burnout at worst. 

If you would like to learn more about how I can support you in this crucial area please DM me.

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