Bonjour. In this video, I want to share one simple tip which can have a big impact not only on your health but also on your performance.
I read an interesting book recently called ‘Eat Like an Athlete’ by Simone Austin. I was fortunate enough to meet Simone a year ago and she kindly gave me a copy of her book. I was quite curious to read her book as she is a high-profile sport’s dietician. She has worked with the Australian cricket team helping them during two World Cup campaigns. She has worked with one of the top rugby league clubs in Australia, the Melbourne Storm. She has also helped one of the top soccer teams in Australia.
Therefore, I was intrigued to read what she had to say about food. I was expecting quite a technical book, full of details about calories, measurements, and so on.
However, this was not the case. Her first concept to eat like an athlete is mindfulness.
This means taking the time to enjoy your meals. Basically, slow down. We currently live in a world of fast eating. We eat as quickly as we can, in front of our computer, in our car, standing up or even walking. The quicker the better.
What is the link with performance I hear you say? As you know I work with many leaders and their teams around the world. High performers who are swamped with emails, meetings and things to do. Unfortunately, many people confuse quantity with performance. I need to respond to more emails, attend more meetings and do more.
Performance is not about quantity. It is firstly about quality. It is about doing a few things well, rather than trying to do too much and ending up doing everything averagely or poorly.
There is an interesting parallel here. Rather than rushing from one meeting to another, instead have less and shorter meetings but be 100% present in each. Rather than take on too many projects and priorities, choose only a few but excel at each one.
Being mindful is such an important principle. Performance is not about quantity, it’s about quality. It’s about being present. It is about mindfulness.
So, the next time you go to a meeting make it shorter but be 100% present during the whole meeting. The next time you block time to work on something important, schedule less time than you think but be 100% focused while doing it.
Moreover, the next time you eat, slow down. Look at your food, the colors, the shape. Enjoy each mouthful, the taste of the food.
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip. Have a wonderful day.
A bientôt
Cyril
