Leadership Overhaul: Fire Yourself Today, Rehire Yourself Tomorrow

Your choices shape how productive you’ll be.

Whether you hit snooze or jump out of bed, snack on carrots or munch on Doritos, swing by McDonald’s or grab a chicken breast — every move sets the course for your productivity. 

Hitting snooze tells your brain you’re not ready for the day. It’s your first intentional act, and like they say, “first impressions matter.” Choosing carrots over Doritos means picking nutrients over junk. Nutrients fuel your body, while junk offers nothing. And scarfing down Doritos or fast food doesn’t just deprive you of fuel; it can also leave you feeling shitty and ashamed, mentally and physically — a double whammy for productivity.

Every choice, no matter how small, shapes your productivity, affecting not just you but also those around you — your partner, kids, friends, coworkers, bosses. Your decisions influence their productivity, even if you don’t control everything they do. Your demeanor — whether cool, understanding, or reactive — affects how others act.

It all starts and ends with you. Making sure your brain, lungs and heart get plenty of oxygen is crucial. Why? Because it clears out harmful stuff that messes with your thinking and emotions. Whether you’re a partner, parent, friend, coworker, boss, or employee, the folks around you deserve your best self — smart choices, cool demeanor, and logical thinking.

Blaming outside forces for your choices and feelings won’t get you anywhere. It’s all on you. You’ve probably heard the phrases “the business is healthy” or “the business is unhealthy” thrown around. Well, take it literally. A healthy business has leaders who stay cool, calm, and collected, leading with deliberate emotions. These behaviors lead to clear thinking and actions that boost productivity. Conversely, if leaders are erratic or overly emotional, it can hinder the productivity of the entire team.

That’s why leadership is tough. If it were easy, every business would be thriving, but that’s not the case. Many people feel stuck, and businesses are letting employees go because they’re not meeting their financial targets.

So, why is leadership so hard?

Think of it like aging. As you get older, your metabolism slows down, and over time, your brain, lungs, and heart don’t get as much oxygen as they used to. Similarly, as you climb the ranks of leadership, the pressure increases. Leading people is stressful; the responsibility weighs heavy. And this applies not just to work but also to being a good partner, parent, friend, or family member.

There are examples everywhere of individuals defying age, maintaining vitality through disciplined habits. Think Angela Basset, Lenny Kravitz. Shit, a guy names Yuichiro Miura climbed Mount Everest at the age of 80 back in 2013. If they can persevere, so can leaders. This is a rallying cry for leaders, irrespective of scale, to reassess and recalibrate.

As you ascend in leadership, stress becomes an unavoidable companion. The higher you climb, the greater the pressure, and with it comes a surge in stress levels. This relentless stress is like a slow drip, gradually eroding the capacity of your brain, lungs, and heart, much like poor dietary choices do over time. This isn’t just about stress; it’s about choices. The longer you are in the game or higher up in the leadership ranks, the more choices you’ll have made that shape your productivity.

Just as consistently making unhealthy food choices can lead to physical ailments, unchecked stress or poor choices can deteriorate your mental and emotional well-being. It’s like having a sneaky troublemaker in your midst, silently chipping away at your cognitive abilities, emotional resilience, and physical health.

Picture it: each poor choice, each stressful encounter, each demanding decision, adds another layer of strain, gradually diminishing your capacity to think clearly, breathe deeply, and maintain a steady heartbeat. If left unchecked, this chronic stress can wreak havoc on your leadership effectiveness and overall well-being. It’s at this point that we often witness leaders veering away from their core values in a bid to preserve their status.

So, just as you carefully consider what you feed your body, it’s equally vital to monitor the choices you make and stressors you allow into your life. 
Acknowledge the outcomes of your decisions and the indicators of stress overload, then take proactive measures to minimize its effects. This ensures you retain the ability to lead effectively and flourish in both your professional and personal life.

How do you know when it’s time FIRE yourself, then REHIRE yourself? 

Simple: when your choices aren’t yielding productive results. If you catch yourself pointing fingers at your spouse, child, boss, or customers for your team’s or business’s lack of productivity or revenue, it’s a clear sign. That’s the moment to give yourself the pink slip.

Rehire the person you’re meant to be for those around you. Remember, it all starts and stops with you. So, why wait? Start now! Today, not tomorrow. It’s not rocket science. It’s about making choices that lead to productivity. In other words, skip the snooze button and opt for carrots and chicken over Doritos and McDonald’s.

Where you work is also your call. If you find yourself blaming external circumstances for your team’s lack of productivity, consider a change. You have the power to let yourself go and find a place where you feel less burdened by excuses.

In conclusion, your choices significantly impact productivity. Optimal functioning of your brain, lungs, and heart is essential for peak performance, whether on a personal level, influencing others’ productivity, or enhancing the overall health of your company or team:

• Your brain serves as the command center, regulating thoughts, emotions, and actions to ensure smooth operation and sound decision-making.

• Meanwhile, your lungs act as air filters, extracting oxygen from the air and expelling carbon dioxide, providing the fuel necessary to sustain energy levels and keep you alert.

• Lastly, your heart functions as the engine, distributing oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, akin to a delivery person ensuring everyone receives what they need to function effectively. Together, these vital organs play a crucial role in maximizing productivity and fostering success.

Your choices serve as the cornerstone of productivity, influencing not only your personal performance but also the collective output of your team or company. By prioritizing the optimal functioning of your brain, lungs, and heart, you lay the foundation for peak performance and overall well-being. Remember, every decision matters, and by nurturing these vital organs, you empower yourself to lead effectively, inspire others, and drive success in both professional and personal spaces.