The Most Enjoyable And Unfair Competitive Advantage

I was having lunch with a friend of mine, and he casually told me he’s played 56 rounds of golf this year. I nearly choked on my Cobb salad. Seriously? In the past, this type of apparent indulgence would have resulted in an eye role from me, followed by a comment about work ethic. But not anymore. I am enlightened.

How about you?

Think about something for a moment. Have you noticed that your entrepreneurial buddies who play lots of golf, compete in triathlons and take ridiculously long vacations have the most profitable businesses?

If you think this is a coincidence, you may be missing a big opportunity to be a better leader.

Every time we fly, we are told: “Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others.” It turns out that this axiom is critical to running a healthy business. Unfortunately, most of us are too busy grinding through our days to notice our dangerously depleted oxygen levels.

Oxygen is a useful metaphor here because a lack of it creates unfortunate and dangerous outcomes. Without proper levels of oxygen, our decision-making is flawed and we feel tired and anxious. As oxygen levels get lower, our heart rate increases and we breathe harder and harder but get worse and worse…and worse results.

Does that sound like what’s happening in your business right now?

It may be time to take a break. Your friends who are golfing, running and sailing are engaging in the practice of putting their oxygen masks on first. The most successful people have learned that taking care of themselves first and foremost gives them the oxygen they need to think, to dream, to connect and to inspire. In other words, it makes them better leaders - especially during the toughest climbs.

It goes something like this: “First me, next me, then my family, then my business.”

Here are three fun factoids that will help encourage you to put humility aside and be more strategically selfish.

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