There's a proven link between physical fitness and sales performance. My guest this week, wellbeing and performance expert George Anderson, joins me to share his strategies for boosting energy, focus which I'm sure you'll agree are key ingredients for thriving in the demanding world of sales.

We discuss the impact of daily habits like morning routines, and mindful "powering down" at the end of the day. You'll also be inspired by George's personal ultramarathon journey and learn practical tips for overcoming common obstacles like lack of time and burnout. If you're ready to enhance your performance from the inside out, this episode is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.

Outline of This Episode

• 00:00 The link between fitness and professional performance.
• 03:41 The power of going out for a walk.
• 05:01 Morning routines and their impact on productivity.
• 08:00 Stress, sleep, and its impact on performance.
• 11:45 Overcoming the all-or-nothing mindset.
• 17:02 Daily habits for productivity.

The Transformative Power of Simple Habits

Focusing only on cardiovascular fitness or gym sessions misses the bigger picture. True performance is rooted in holistic health, encompassing sleep, nutrition, hydration, recovery, and regular movement.

If you've ever struggled through a rough day after poor sleep or noticed your creativity wane following unhealthy meals, you've experienced firsthand how interconnected physical health is with workplace effectiveness. As George says, physical fitness is a leverage point every high performer should bear in mind, but most underuse.

Getting outside and moving, whether with a pet, a friend, or solo, creates a positive domino effect on energy, mood, and focus. Its simplicity makes it sustainable, and regularity ensures lasting benefits. Developing non-negotiable habits like morning walks or regular breaks can dramatically shift the way you tackle your sales day.

Three Energy-Boosting Habits for Sales Professionals

Consistency is key to managing the high demands of sales. George Anderson recommends three fitness and lifestyle habits that seamlessly boost energy and resilience:

• Intentional Morning Routine: Avoid starting your day by immediately reaching for your phone. Instead, take time for yourself before the flood of emails or social media notifications. Set your own agenda before reacting to others'.
• Transitional Rituals: Clearly separate work and home time, especially when working remotely. Use short walks or reflective pauses to shift mental gears, preventing emotional residue from spilling into your personal life.
• Power Down Protocol: Shut off screens and calm your mind before bed. A deliberate wind-down helps ensure quality sleep, which directly impacts your motivation, creativity, and ability to handle stress the next day.

Battling Stress, Burnout, and "No Time" Syndrome

Sales professionals face constant pressure, deadlines, targets, and relentless meetings. The most common barrier to wellness is time, many feel that unless their exercise session lasts an hour, it's not worth starting.

George's antidote is the "plus one" principle. Instead of all-or-nothing thinking, start with what you're doing now, and add just one increment, such as a 10-minute workout or a walk around the block. Small, consistent changes not only fit into the busiest of schedules but also spark a positive chain reaction, improving other choices throughout your day.

Recognizing burnout and fatigue can be tricky. Lifestyle missteps, late nights, skipped workouts, are obvious, but functional burnout often creeps in unnoticed. Tuning into your body's signals and noticing when productivity drops or motivation fades is essential. Take ownership of incremental changes, even if the workload is outside your control.

Fitness Do's and Don'ts for High-Performing Salespeople

George Anderson shares actionable dos and don'ts:

Don'ts:

• Avoid reaching for your phone first thing in the morning.
• Don't sit down all day, take real breaks and step away from your desk.
• Limit relentless back-to-back virtual meetings to preserve focus.

Do's:

• Incorporate purposeful movement every day (walks, short workouts).
• Be intentional with routines, morning, transitional, power-down.
• Reflect daily on habits and celebrate wins, while seeking improvement.

Achieving Big Goals Through Better Health

Physical fitness isn't just theory for George. When training for a 24-hour ultramarathon, he adapted his methods to fit his evolving life circumstances and age. He advises that whatever you want to achieve set a goal, something you can't do right now, then use creativity and commitment to overcome obstacles. Constraints may be inevitable, but resourcefulness keeps progress within reach.

Resources Mentioned

• By Design Not Default

Connect with George Anderson

• George Anderson on LinkedIn
• George Anderson

Connect With Paul Watts

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

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