Sometimes we all need a little inspiration or motivation in our careers. One seemingly unlikely source comes in the form of a fitness routine. It may seem like a stretch but your workout can aid in your career goals besides helping managing stress.
Here are 6 ways to improve your career using your workout as a guide.
1) Challenge Yourself
This one is obvious. If a workout is too easy, then you’re not going to see results. If a job is too easy you may not see that promotion or raise. Tasks being too easy are never a learning experience and don’t give you the opportunity to know your strengths. You could be missing out on bigger and better opportunities by playing it safe.
2) Earn It
Don’t expect to lose 10
pounds in 2 weeks and don’t expect to get that corner office a month after being in the cube. You must keep doing the job well and working towards a goal. Rushing knowledge is never a good thing as you may be missing important info because you are too busy looking for the end result. It leads to exasperation and frustration. Keep doing your job well and eventually (if you are in the right company) you’ll reap the rewards.3) Move on
Lesson #2 mentions being in the right company and sometimes it’s not a good fit so it’s necessary to move on. Maybe you are not seeing results because you are in the wrong classes or the gym doesn’t offer any nutritional counseling. That happens with jobs and careers as well. If the company doesn’t offer the amenities you are looking for or you are working hard but not getting anywhere, it may be time to admit this place isn’t for you.
4) Stop focusing on competition
Oprah Winfrey says this all the time (about running): “The energy that it takes to look back and see where the other guys are, takes energy away from you. And if they’re too close, it scares you.â€
Paying too much attention to what co-workers are doing does nothing but cause you to lose focus on your tasks and progress.  You really don’t know the whole story of how someone got to where they are or how they accomplished a particular goal. Be concerned with being the best at what you do and it will pay off.
5) Stop complaining
The more you complain the harder it is. It’s not just the fact that you are making it more difficult, you are also prolonging the agony. What you think about something is how it occurs for you. If you dread going to work or seeing your trainer, then you will 1) talk yourself out of it and 2) watch the clock the whole time. Try to enjoy those 8-9 hours a day by focusing on the positive things you like or what you get out of it. Do you like your co-workers? Are you helping people in some way? Do you get paid well?
6)Â Take a Break
It’s great to push yourself during your workout routine but taking a break to recover is essential. It helps your body rebuild, strengthen and
repair. Same goes for your job, if you keep going at full speed with no break, you’re going to burn out, which is counterproductive. Take those lunch breaks and a few in between the work day to recharge your brain for optimum performance.These tips will not only help guide you to the body of your dreams but maybe it’ll lead you that dream job.
Suncear Scretchen is a Certified Holistic Health Coach. She provides health and wellness guidance on her blog The Conscious Chick and via Twitter (@ConsciousChick1).