'You have to apply the same single-mindedness to your fitness as your business'
These are some of the ways you can fulfill the cliché of ‘healthy body, healthy mind’.
FROM AN EARLY age I was taught that in order to succeed I had to be focussed, prepared to work hard for everything and that if I really wanted something I could never give up on that goal.
These are lessons I learned from my father. He was self-employed, worked hard for everything he ever earned, and I always looked up to him. By observing him in action, I quickly learned that when you’re self-employed you don’t have the luxury of wasting time.
If you hesitate an opportunity can pass you by. I am firmly of the belief that if you have the means and opportunity to pursue a dream you have to show the ambition and will to do so.
That’s why my business partner, Andy Chen, and I opened the first Chopped in 2012. We were both going to the gym a lot at the time but were frustrated at the lack of convenient, quick and good-value nutrition available to us. Why waste time exercising and then throw all your hard work out the window with crap food?
I am hugely passionate about the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and exercise. One doesn’t have to take away from the other. I really believe that you have to apply the same single-mindedness to maintaining your fitness as you do to ensuring your business succeeds. It’s a cliché but a healthy body makes for a healthy mind.
These are some of the important lessons about keeping fit while running a successful business that I’ve learned in my own journey:
1. Make time to exercise
I find that being fit and healthy helps me with my motivation on a day-to-day basis. I train every day. Most days I train after work in the evenings but every Tuesday and Thursday I do an hour of mixed martial arts with my trainer. I don’t allow meeting to be scheduled during this time and no matter what is happening I make time to make this appointment.
2. Make fitness work for you
Find ways that work for you to stay fit. If you have a shower at the office you can cycle or jog to work. Even if you don’t you can run or cycle home. If this seems daunting start small. Take the bus halfway and walk the rest.
3. Make it a habit
You are what you continually do. If you always exercise and eat right you will become fit. If you are always focussed on your business you can make it a success.
4. Make healthy eating choices
It’s easy and cost-effective to eat healthily yourself. Make healthy meals at the start of the week that can be reheated or eaten in the office. That will save you time and unneeded extra calories. Reach for something healthy when you hit that 3pm slump; my approach is to rely on food with natural sweeteners.
5. Make a commitment
If you’re standing still you’re really going backwards because you’re not growing your business. All too often people get a bit of success and get lazy. This applies in both the gym and in the business world. You have to continue to put the same amount of work and effort into maintaining and progressing the business as you did getting it off the ground in the first place.
6. Make the right choices
As an entrepreneur you have to take risks, but make sure you know the consequences of the risks you are taking. Every risk I’ve taken in business I’ve done with the belief that if it does fail I have a backup plan and can move on to the next challenge. Pushing yourself too hard in the gym can cause injury and setbacks the same way it can in the business world. Knowing your limits is vital.
7. Make a good start
Breakfast is key to a healthy eating routine. It’s important to set yourself up right for the day with something healthy and delicious that will give you a slow release of energy.
Brian Lee is the co-founder of Chopped and FIT Studios.
If you want to share your opinion, advice or story, contact opinion@fora.ie.
