As a small business owner and martial artist it is way too easy to neglect yourself, I know as I have been there!
Your focus and time is often more on the growth and development of your students and clients which of course in itself is not a bad thing but when it comes at a long term cost / effects of neglecting yourself, you need to ensure at some point to take a step back, take a look and plan for you!
Here are just 5 things I would consider to be essential for your long-term success.
1 . Invest in your knowledge – educate yourself
- – Read, develop depth of understanding and knowledge, become an authority in your field
- – Struggling for time? Listen to podcasts whilst travelling or working out at the gym, it is very easy these days to gain further knowledge from literally the most senior established people in the world
- – Youtube videos offer similar learning opportunities though obviously you have to sit down and watch rather than listen
- – Get a mentor, this is why I insist you all have an instructor for guidance in the martial arts but also in business and life
‘Educate and Act’
Make sure you take action on the knowledge gained
2. Invest in your health … ‘3 legged stool concept’ – miss one of the 3 legs and the balance has lost
- – EXERCISE – Regularity of your own exercise, gauging intensity and focus depending on the performance required or end result
- – NUTRITION – Balanced diet and nutritional plan will not only refuel but help rebuild the body
- – RECOVERY – Rest and recovery so that your body and mind has the opportunity to rebuild and avoid injury
‘Learn and Do’
Learn how to listen to your body, know when to rest, know when to work
3. Invest in your team
You can’t do it all by yourself and to scale you need the best people – ‘your net worth is your network’ … and I am not just talking financially so –
- – Build strong relationships
- – Promote cohesion within your group of people, remove people who are unwilling to work and adapt – you will be thankful over time!
- – Delegate roles and help them grow
- – Continually develop their skill, knowledge & experience as well as opportunities to progress
‘Leadership is a lonely place, be sure to take people with you’
4. Invest in a decent task management system & commit to taking action
- – In my opinion there is no such thing as time management, it is task management, we all have the same number of minutes and hours in a day, you simply need to prioritise tasks and make appropriate steps towards achieving the things that are of most value to you
- – ‘to do’ lists work but I started doing a ‘want to’ do list first, I get some of my favourite things done and I carried the momentum into the essential ‘to do’ list and have a far more productive day
- – Are you a little bit more techy? Ever used Monday.com? There are many online task management systems, certainly if you have a large team and tasks to complete, Monday.com is a great one!
5. Invest money in positive cash-flowing assets, preferably passive ie PROPERTY
- – Create multiple income streams and ensure future wealth creation
- – Safe guard against loss of income eg injuries, sickness as well as of course planning for your older age
- – There are other asset classes, I have multiple businesses as well as stocks and shares but due to ‘gearing’ the property is significantly out performing the stocks and requires far less work than the businesses!
- – Remember an investment can go down as well as up but if you maintain a ‘buy and hold’ strategy with property you will win over time, note do your due diligence prior to purchasing. The main benefits of property is that it is almost passive income certainly if you have it managed plus you potentially get 2 income streams rental return and capital appreciation
I advise you to speak to you accountant and qualified property tax advisor
Yes the last 2 we a little heavy but I am sure you can understand their value and inclusion!
On a serious note and in closure, over time your physical techniques, skills and the wonderful benefits of youth will disappear, but you will gain so much more in the way of experience, wisdom and knowledge, well most of us … be sure to embrace the changes, take action and don’t be afraid to invest in you!
Respect as always
Master John Swift
‘train smart, train hard’
