Are you fit?

My oldest daughter, Breanna (Bree), has an entrepreneurial spirit. She sees a problem and creates a solution. Where she shines is in inspiring and helping others. She approaches life with passion and a servant's heart – and that’s not just “Dad” talking.

Last year, Bree, in addition to her full-time work, decided she could help others become more “fit” for their jobs through coaching and in life through fitness and diet. Her mantra is “get to, not have to.” She even has a Facebook group by that name. She began the year with her top ten lessons learned so far. I found value in them and thought you might, too.

As I sit here reflecting on our all-team meet-up yesterday, I can’t help but notice the correlations between success in fitness and success in business.

Here are ten lessons I’ve learned over the last 16 years with the company:

1. There is no easy button. Success is a direct result of the work you put in.

2. You are who you surround yourself with. Choose wisely.

3. Holding others to a standard you aren’t willing to hold for yourself is hard. Do what you said you would do.

4. Success comes from repetition. It comes from doing the tedious work repeatedly until you become an expert. Discipline is no different. It is a perishable skill like any other. If we do not repeatedly flex this muscle, it will become weaker and weaker.

5. Doing > reading. You can read a standard operating procedure or a book on health repeatedly, but it won’t make you an expert. Getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn.

6. You must show up even when you don’t feel like it.

7. Until you become great, your effort will go unnoticed.

8. Time management is critical. When you’re busy is when you need to do it. If you can’t work out because you’re busy, then you’re assuming that for you to work out in the future, you will never be busy again. If you want to implement a lasting habit, do it during the busy season. When you can figure out how to make it work when you’re the busiest, it’ll be that much easier on your slow days.

9. Distraction kills. Find what matters to you and work aggressively toward that.

10. Preparation is critical. You wouldn’t go into a meeting without preparing for it first. The rest of your day should be no different.

Taking care of yourself is advantageous in every other area of your life.

What is a lesson you’ve learned that carries over like this?

Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development. You can reach him at Jeff.Schmidt@rab.com. You can all so connect with him on X and LinkedIn.