There’s an old saying (that I actually hate) “kill 2 birds with one stone” that implies getting multiple things accomplished with one effort.
As I said, I can’t stand the phrase because I love animals and am not a fan of violence…. But the message of the phrase is what I want to focus on today.
And, put in much better terms, that message is this: be as efficient as possible.
Maximizing efficiency is a concept I was sort of forced to face when our son was born.
It was then that I became both a full-time business owner / entrepreneur, and also a full-time mother.
I spent a LOT of time feeling like crap about myself and putting myself down….
...because when I was being a GREAT business owner, I felt that I was failing as a mom.
...and when I was being the best mom I could be, I felt that I was neglecting my business.
In short, I created a situation where I was NEVER going to win…. There was always a loss for me.
And, it took a toll for a while.
I struggled mentally with it, but every day vowed to do better… by doing MORE.
There was a point where it all changed for me- I was on a Coaching Call with my mentor Pat and he told me that I didn’t need to do MORE, just do things more efficiently.
If I only had 2 hours to work while Chase was sleeping… then I had to make 100% certain that I was using that time to the best of my ability.
I had to sharpen my ability to prioritize the most important things, and be okay with the fact that I could have a “To do” list with 20 items that may or may not get done in a day….
…. But I needed to develop a “MUST DO” list with a max of 3 things that were non-negotiables for the day.
It completely changed my approach, mindset, and eventually it changed how I felt about myself as an entrepreneur and a mother.
I think the same logic applies to weight loss and fitness.
You don’t need to work HARDER or pack MORE into your day in order to be more healthy or fit….
…. You just need to become more efficient.
Maximise your time…. Get 2 things accomplished with one effort…. Figure out ways to work smarter, not harder.
What does that look like in action? Here are a few examples:
- Meal prep 3-4 servings of something… that way you’re prepping dinner for Mon-Wed, OR you’re prepping both dinner and lunch for the following day in one effort.
- Take work calls or phone meetings with you on the go… go for a walk, take the stairs, etc. Maximise your time by both working and getting movement in.
- Include your kids / grandkids in food shopping or meal prep… spending time with loved ones and cooking healthy meals are NOT mutually exclusive… bring the kids into the mix by having them help with the shopping, cooking, prepping, etc. Not only are you spending quality time with them while making your meals, but you’re setting a solid healthy foundation that they’ll remember for life.
- Incorporate sport into your social life… get a bunch of friends together and play intramural softball, basketball, or soccer. Instead of meeting friends for dinner or drinks, go for a hike or bike ride.
- Car time = motivation and learning time… put a motivational or educational podcast on the radio during your commute… while you’re potentially stuck in traffic or putting in the long drive to work, you can learn better stress management techniques, get inspired by others, and set a more positive tone for your day.
I’ve been alive for nearly 38 years, I’ve been in the fitness industry for over a decade, and I’ve been a mom for nearly 3 years…. And one thing I’ve learned is that people are busy.
There will never be extra time that just drops from the sky. Just not gonna happen.
So the bottom line is this: if you want a different outcome, you must find a different way of getting things done.
Get better at being efficient, and you’ll be better equipped for success.
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