A popular mindset has been that business owners and CEOs must work in a constant state of overdrive to stay ahead of challenges and outpace any competition. Add to that the relentless pressure to keep up with rapidly advancing technology, the glorification of ‘hustle culture,’ and the strain of navigating a difficult economic landscape, and it’s no surprise that entrepreneurs are feeling the weight of these demands.
If you’re expected to perform at your peak every minute of every day, it is logical that burnout is likely to follow, alongside the potential impacts to both physical and mental health.
At a recent wedding of an old school friend, I found myself in a late-night conversation with the groom’s father, a successful retired businessman. When he asked how I was doing, I replied, ‘busy.’ He paused and asked, ‘good busy or bad busy?’ That question stopped me in my tracks. I realised I was ‘bad busy,’ overwhelmed by trying to juggle too much, stay ahead of the competition, and not giving myself the space I needed. It reminded me how essential it is in my role to have room to breathe, think, and plan.
I highly suspect many entrepreneurs growing businesses would answer in a similar fashion.
Fast forward to the coming weeks and I was introduced to the phrase ‘Corporate Athlete’ as a way of reminding us that a focus on balance, rest and the right processes is what keeps us at the top of our game, just like the best of athletes.
The entrepreneurial ‘Whack-a-Mole’
As a business grows, it can feel like a constant game of whack-a-mole, one that seemingly never ends. Addressing a problem often means that once it is resolved, another one immediately behind it demands immediate attention, or maybe you’re staying super alert trying to spot the next problem before it even arises so that you can look perfect to the outside world.
More often than not this constant firefighting is exhausting, but it also distracts from the bigger picture: long-term growth and its sustainability.
Every athlete structures training in a disciplined way and as an entrepreneur you should do the same.
Systems and processes will help you to minimise the chaos.
You cannot grow and be pulled in too many directions by constantly putting out fires. It’s like an athlete constantly running full out, or constantly training. There is no efficiency or routine in this. You need to rest, take a deep breath and prepare for the next session.
Performance needs balance
We would never expect an elite athlete to perform at their best without proper rest, nutrition and recovery. The brain operating in an entrepreneur or CEO should be treated no differently.
The lesson for business leaders is to take care of these basics – proper sleep, good nutrition, and mental breaks when you need them – because skipping them to work longer hours instead will yield some short-term advantages but, as time goes by, it will make it harder for you to make good decisions and be creative in the long run.
The power of coaching and community
Very few elite athletes get to the top alone. Instead, every excellent athlete has a coach, and other team members who support them.
Entrepreneurs should behave the same way. An advisor or a business coach, who can provide perspective can be an invaluable asset.
I also can’t stress enough the importance of community, and how fortunate I’ve been to be part of a remarkable entrepreneurial network. In 2015, I was shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and the following year, I won Young Entrepreneur of the Year. During that first year, I met Alison Edgar MBE, Ben Towers, and Alison Shadrack—amazing entrepreneurs who remain closely involved with the Awards as judges and are also integral to the Elite Business community. Over the past nine years, we’ve become close friends, sharing successes, setbacks, learnings, and even travelling together. This network has been invaluable, both professionally and personally. I truly believe my business journey would have been far lonelier without this community, and my 12-year journey to date is a testament to the power of finding like-minded people to grow alongside.
Just as important is surrounding yourself with the right people. Trainers and athletes tend to train with like-minded peers who are also striving for similar results. The same goes for business. Surrounding yourself with peers who are motivated and have that entrepreneurial mindset creates a supportive, motivational and learning network for you to lean on.
Conclusion: Think like a corporate athlete
Running your own company isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon. Running a marathon takes pacing, it takes walking some of the way, it takes having strong, supportive systems. And that’s what we have to do in business: if you’re going to last the distance and you’re going to scale your business up, then you’ve got to think like a corporate athlete, too.
