When you’re a business leader, achieving optimal performance goes beyond the things we should already be doing, such as eating right, exercising and getting adequate rest. You’re not an ordinary person, so these ordinary steps are not enough to give your mind, body and spirit what it needs to accomplish everything that your role demands.
That’s why high-profile corporate executives like John L. Carter, president and COO of Nationwide Financial, go to the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Florida.
“The energy management principles we learned through the J&J HPI are now an important part of our sales culture,” Carter says in a testimonial on the organization’s website. “Not only have we elevated our ability to retain, recruit and engage our workforce, but we’ve seen improved associate performance — an important benefit in today’s financial climate.”
HPI works with professional athletes and military Special Forces personnel, as well as Fortune 500 CEOs, to give them the tools they need to drive results, no matter the challenges they face. Participants learn how to take a more holistic approach to their work so they can avoid burnout, manage uncertainty and formulate strategic recovery plans that enable them to function at a very high level. This type of training can be a powerful tool for those who are willing to use it. We may avoid doing so because we don’t think we have enough time.
As a business leader, however, you represent one of your company’s greatest assets. You bring talent, skills and leadership that your business needs in order to succeed. Just as your employees need regular training to continuously improve, so do you. Take advantage of these professionals who work every day to help people like you get better at what they do.
Consider a program like HPI, or find a personal trainer or life coach who can meet with you on a regular basis and help you manage your own personal growth and development. Too often, we focus on financial data as the key determinant of whether our company is successful or not. It’s not that simple. If you’re not taking care of your own physical, emotional and spiritual needs, it doesn’t matter how much your revenue is up this year. It’s not a sustainable way to live.
With that in mind, you can’t overlook the role that your family plays in your life. When you take vacations — and you need them as much as anyone — make time to reconnect with loved ones, and don’t bring your work with you. Take the time to recharge so you can be at your best when you get back to the demands of your work.
You’re not an ordinary person. Don’t rely on ordinary means to perform at your best. ●
Fred Koury is President and CEO of Smart Business Network Inc.
