But there is an ‘e’ and an ‘m’, which means there is a ‘me’ in team! What’s the point of this mini anagram? To build a successful team, whether it’s in the workplace or in the sporting arena, we first need to focus on each individual and their capacity to fulfil their role within the team.
We know when the North Queensland Cowboys play, Matt Scott is going to take the ball forward all game, Dallas Johnson is going to make a thousand tackles and Jonathon Thurston is going to create attacking opportunities from all parts of the field. The individual contributions of each player culminate to produce a positive team performance. If one person is carrying an injury or hasn’t prepared themselves at training, they won’t do their job effectively, meaning another won’t be able to do theirs. If any athlete turns up to their game or event knowing in their mind that they didn’t do every sprint, lap, push up or drill at training, then they are prepared to lose.
So adapting this analogy into a workplace, as business leaders, we need to make sure that our people are looking after themselves and enjoying what they are doing. Being physically active and healthy will make an enormous difference. Those that are, know that it makes you feel more energetic, you are more focussed, the attitude you choose when life bowls a bouncer at you is more positive and you’re more productive in everything you do. Imagine your workplace with a whole team of healthy people, how up-vibe and electric the atmosphere would be, the number of creative and innovative ideas would emerge, how productive your team would be and how much fun you could have whilst doing the everyday routines that with the wrong attitude can be perceived as monotonous and boring? These workplaces do exist and are the ones that have not only seen the light in knowing that our people are our greatest asset, but have actually acted on this. Have a read of the book ‘Fish!’ or pick up one of Wayne Bennett or Richard Branson’s autobiographies and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
As much as business leaders can provide motivation, inspiration and opportunities for staff to be active and healthy, of course the individual needs to also take responsibility for themselves. This time of year after the fun and indulgence of the festive season, we have so many great intentions to hit the streets running, climb Castle Hill’s goat tracks every day of the week, bust a poofoo valve in the gym, ride to Woodstock and back, eat nothing but rabbit food and cut out all forms of alcohol and sweets. For sure, this may be achievable for a few weeks, but if you want to be fair dinkum about being healthy and active, you need to approach it from a sustainable, lifestyle perspective.
Make your exercise sessions enjoyable by:
- Incorporating other people
- Playing sports
- Walking or running scenic routes
- Simply choosing things you like doing
Incorporate these into your everyday routine, so that exercise is something you look forward to and is not a chore. Think of it as an opportunity to catch up with friends, clear your head, enjoy some family time, get some peace and quiet or blow away the stresses of the day.
When eating, aim for 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day and do a bit of preparation so that each meal includes the 5 food nutrients:
- Fats (the good ones, not the evil saturated ones)
- Carbohydrates (lower GI complex carbs get a big thumbs up)
- Protein (the lean/low fat types)
- Vitamins and minerals (fresh fruit and vegies are the go)
- Plenty of water
My whole life pretty much revolves around sport and being active, however, I know personally that if I don’t set short and long term training goals I can very easily fall into bad habits. Lifestyle and creating healthy opportunities in both your workplace and home life is the key. A rather famous basketballer once said, ‘some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen’. Go Jordan!
