At Siegfried, we help people transform themselves into better leaders to exponentially improve their lives. Our professionals are genuinely interested in and passionately committed to continuous growth, both personally and professionally. But this growth doesn’t happen in a day – it requires thoughtful, focused time and deep self-reflection. In the Siegfried Core Concepts series, we’ll outline some of the foundational ideas that inspire our professionals to seek out transformational growth and leverage that growth to benefit others.
When was the last time you took a step back and really thought about your health and wellness? And no, looking in the mirror doesn’t count – we mean taking stock of how you feel in all aspects of your life.
At Siegfried, we understand that becoming your best self means being reflective and intentional about all areas of your health: physical, mental, spiritual, and financial. That’s why we encourage our professionals to take charge of their health through our Live Well Be Well initiative. Maintaining and working to better each of the four facets of health is vital to living a fulfilling, happy life that allows you to reach your greatest potential.
When balancing your career, family, and social life, leading a healthy life can be a daunting challenge. But with motivation, commitment, and plenty of self-reflection, you can transform the way you feel exponentially and propel all-around success.
Treat your body well
When life gets busy, your physical health can easily slip through the cracks. Nourishing your body and staying active requires commitment and time, and breaking down your fitness goals into small steps or actions will help you make incremental progress toward your big goals.
Staying active doesn’t require a gym membership or expensive home gym equipment. Your health journey is all about finding what’s right for you – what works with your wants, needs, and schedule. Physical fitness can be as simple as taking a walk on your lunch break or using the stairs instead of the elevator. Try using a standing desk or practicing desk exercises to fit some activity into more sedentary days. And if you’re ready to get into a workout routine, check out fitness apps or YouTube videos that provide in-gym or at-home workouts for all skill levels.
Physical activity is only part of the equation – eating well is also crucial to feeling and becoming your best. Whether you cook from scratch or set up a meal delivery service, be sure to prioritize whole foods. Eating healthy isn’t all or nothing (everything in moderation!) – just make sure your nutrition is balanced, filling, and of course, enjoyable. And stay hydrated!
When your day is winding down, find time to relax. Sleep is important for your mood and immunity, so make sure you’re getting between seven and nine hours of restful sleep each night. Keep your devices out of reach before going to sleep – opt for reading instead – and try to stick to a regular schedule. If you’re a night owl at heart, find time for a power nap during the day.
Mind over matter
The different facets of health are synergistic – no matter how much you pay attention to your physical fitness, ignoring your mental health will prevent you from seeing positive progress.
Getting creative or learning something new can improve your mental health and provide a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you learn to paint, remodel your house or redecorate your office, or turn to audiobooks about new topics, opening yourself up to new and creative experiences will help reduce stress while increasing self-esteem.
Taking the time to self-reflect will also help you process each day more effectively. Turning your self-reflection into a journaling exercise gets all your thoughts onto paper to better express your emotions. Challenge yourself to get outside your own head by reading or listening to self-help books and podcasts to find guidance and inspiration.
Mental health is very personal, but it isn’t something you need to deal with alone. Don’t forget that everyone is on their own health journey, and connecting with someone can help you find the motivation to take control of your fitness, physically and mentally. Find a friend who wants to tackle fitness goals or learn to cook with you. Perspective is everything, and connecting with others can help you release tension and build a sense of community.
Find meaning in life
Spiritual health involves having a sense of meaning or purpose in life. It can be as simple as getting to know yourself better. Understanding what you want out of life will set you on a path toward fulfillment and greater overall health.
Your spiritual health begins with reflecting on your higher purpose. Who and what do you value? Do your career and personal goals align with those values? If you aren’t sure, take some time to deeply reflect on your sense of self. Spend time with those who mean most to you and reconnect with old hobbies that you’re passionate about. Consider getting involved with a cause and finding a way to serve your community.
And when life’s demands get to be too much, go outside. We live in a digitally overstimulating world, which might cause you to feel trapped inside your screens. Slow down and disconnect from the demands of everyday life by spending time in nature, getting sunlight, or giving yourself some time away from technology.
Manage your money
Financial health isn’t just measured by how much money you have – after all, money doesn’t equal happiness. It’s about how stable your finances are, how prepared you are for unexpected events, and how confident you are in your financial state. When you have peace of mind financially, you allow the other parts of your health to flourish.
An essential first step toward financial health is becoming financially literate. Knowing how to handle your money can help you make better decisions and reach your financial goals. No matter how old or how far into your career you are, it’s never too late to go back to the basics.
Consider your priorities and use them to set financial goals. Be honest with yourself about your current lifestyle and your spending. In an age of overconsumption, it’s important to consider what you really need to have a fulfilling and happy life. By doing so, you can cut down on unnecessary costs and start saving and investing.
Money can be overwhelming, so don’t be afraid to use your available resources. From financial planners to online services made for budgeting or doing taxes, there are tons of ways to find guidance.
Have the courage to make a change
Change isn’t easy, but making progress toward a healthier life is always worth it. When even just one pillar of health is out of sync, it’s difficult to be your best, and the other parts of your health can start to crumble.
Start small and define your goals. “Eat healthy” is a great aspiration, but it isn’t specific or measurable enough to motivate effective action. Instead, set a goal, like cooking one new healthy meal per week. Don’t push yourself to be perfect, which can be stressful and overwhelming, discouraging you from continuing. Make sure your goals are ambitious but still attainable.
Connect with others. Building meaningful connections isn’t just fun – it’s valuable for all aspects of our health. By finding people who have similar values and goals, you can support each other and find motivation and accountability on your health journey.
Be a growth leader. Reframe your mindset and commit to transforming. Let go of fear and leave your comfort zone in the rearview. Remember, working hard toward your professional goals won’t be worthwhile of you aren’t healthy enough to truly enjoy the journey, as well as the rewards and fulfillment that come with it.
Siegfried’s CEO and Founder, Rob Siegfried, wouldn’t have gotten to where he is today without paying close attention to all aspects of his health “It’s pretty hard to live life to the fullest if you’re not healthy,” he explains. “If you want your health to be better, it’s going to involve character ethic. And to build character ethic, you have to be curious and willing enough to ask yourself tough questions.”
With the self-awareness, motivation, and courage to make positive change in terms of your health, you can live a long and happy life and wholeheartedly follow your dreams.
