Is ‘THIS’ Getting In The Way?

I’ve been there. We’ve all been there.

You know you you need to be healthier, but instead, you find yourself signing up for career or leadership coaching, resilience or personal growth workshops … It’s not that these endeavours don’t have tremendous value—they absolutely do—but when we tackle pursuits downstream from our health, we miss out on the full benefits of all these other pursuits.

As someone who has seen this pattern countless times, I understand how easy it is to get caught up in a cycle. You want to be healthier. You know you should prioritize your well-being, but the thought of overhauling your diet or starting an exercise routine feels overwhelming. So, instead of addressing the intimidating aspects of health, you focus on what feels more within your reach

While these efforts can help improve certain areas of your life, they don’t get to the root of what could truly transform your experience: your health.

Health isn't just one pillar of success; it's the ground that all other pillars rest upon. When we prioritize our well-being, it amplifies everything else we do—our ability to think clearly, manage stress, and maintain the energy to pursue our goals and aspirations. 

The Allure of Focusing on Downstream Issues

Why do so many of us do this? 

It’s NOT laziness. It’s often a combination of overwhelm and the desire for quicker, more tangible results. Health improvement can feel like a long, slow journey with delayed rewards. 

There is no question these other pursuits can add to your life BUT without health as your foundation, your energy, mental acuity and focus aren’t at their peak and you won’t be able to sustain those gains long-term. 

Don’t Avoid Your Health—Use It Supercharge Everything Else

Prioritizing your health doesn’t mean abandoning your other goals. In fact, it enhances them.

So, the next time you find yourself reaching into another area of self-improvement, take a step back. Ask yourself how prioritizing your health could spill over into other aspects of your life.

Then, choose ONE area of your health to work on - and make it something that excites you. Bonus points if it includes building a community around your new habits. Don't get bogged down in the complexity of health, you will build momentum in other areas through simple, regular habits.

As you see improvements in your health, what you may find is that those things downstream of your health, that you thought you needed to work on, start to come together. With more energy, resilience, mental acuity and stamina you have just levelled up your entire game!