Self-Understanding: The Key to Continuous Improvement In Fitness and Leadership

It's not always easy to keep our work and personal lives separated, so I've created this weekly newsletter. Within just a few minutes, you will find:

1. Fitness Insights
2. Hiring, Recruiting and Career Insights
3. Memorable quotes, hand-picked dad jokes, and personal book recommendations

Enjoy!

Be Honest About Who You Are and What You Truly Want In Your Fitness Journey

Who You Are

You are you. Everyone else is taken.

Your childhood. Your genetics. Your traumas. All of that is you. Wishing any of those things were different is a waste of time and energy because there is no changing what has happened.

But do you know what also makes up you? Your choices. Your actions. Your work ethic. Your standards. Everything before this moment has shaped you, but everything you do from this moment on is within your control.

Don't waste your life wishing things outside of your control were different, because they never will be. You control what you control, and that is scary, beautiful and empowering at the same time.

Know who you are, and own your life.

What You Truly Want

It's pretty difficult to hit a target that doesn't exist. Perhaps even worse than missing a non-existent target is the feeling that even if it were there, you wouldn't be able to anyways.

Both of these statements are obvious, yet we often neglect to reflect on what it is that we actually want and what we'd actually be willing to do to get it. Instead, we default to "I want to be more toned" or "I want to work out consistently" or even something more specific like "I want to lose 20 lbs".

The problem is that these goals are either subjective, temporary, or both. To the goals above, I would ask you to define the outcomes you seek as well as the challenges you're willing to take on and embed into your daily lifestyle to achieve those outcomes.

Outcomes

Since being "toned' is typically defined as "muscular looking," anyone can technically be more toned if they are any degree more "muscular looking" than before. If I have $1000 today and $1010 tomorrow, technically, I have more money, but not by much. If I weigh 250 lbs today and lose 5 lbs of fat while just maintaining my current muscle mass, technically I am more toned. It's not a HUGE difference, but it is a difference. The question is: How much difference do you need to reach the initial goal? In the case of someone wanting to lose 20 lbs, that's great! But we must remember that most people regain that weight after losing it, which brings us to the next aspect of goal setting.

Lifestyle

If most people who set out to lose weight are successful, then weight loss isn't the problem. Rather, the inability to maintain that weight loss and recalibrate one's lifestyle to the newer, healthier version of ourselves is. So the question is not: What outcomes do you want? Instead, it's: Once you have the outcomes you want, what are you willing to do to keep them? And by extension, what is the lifestyle you are willing to live?

If you just want to be healthy enough to play with your kids without losing your breath, then that's great! Just be honest with yourself upfront, and you won't feel the anguish of coming up short on a goal - like having a six pack by June - that you didn't truly (gun to your head) care about in the first place.

If you do want to get and keep a 6-pack, then you better be prepared to live the life of someone who does. They eat differently. They exercise differently. They have different priorities and habits that you'll need to adopt if you want that as well.

Both sets of priorities are great! While your goals may change over time, in this moment be honest about who you are and what you truly want today. I promise that you'll have far more peace and confidence if you pursue a life that aligns with your heart.

I Can Help

If you would ever like to speak to me about your fitness journey, please send me a private message here on LinkedIn, and I would be happy to discuss strategies that can help get you on the path you seek!

The Power of Self-Understanding in Leadership

Who You Are as a Leader

Just as in fitness, where understanding your true self is crucial, leadership demands a clear and honest self-assessment. Reflect on your past experiences, the traits that have defined your leadership style, and the feedback you've received over the years. Embrace the entirety of who you are—your strengths, your weaknesses, your victories, and your setbacks.

Understanding and accepting these aspects of your identity is not about dwelling on the past, but about leveraging this knowledge to steer your future actions and decisions. You are unique, and your leadership should be too. Acknowledge that you cannot change the past, but you can influence the future with the choices you make today. Your actions, your decisions, and your leadership style are within your control. Embrace this reality—it's empowering, daunting, and transformative.

Know who you are, own your leadership journey, and authentically guide your team.

What You Truly Want as a Leader

Defining clear and tangible goals is as essential in leadership as it is in personal fitness. Without a specific target, you can't measure success or direct your efforts effectively. Many leaders might say they want to "increase team productivity" or "enhance project outcomes," but what does that really mean?

Dig deeper. Specify the outcomes you seek. Do you want to improve team cohesion, enhance innovation, or reduce project turnaround times? Just as importantly, reflect on the lifestyle of leadership you're willing to embrace to achieve these goals. Leadership isn't just about reaching objectives; it's about creating an environment where these objectives can be sustained and advanced.

For instance, if your goal is to foster a high-trust team environment, what are you willing to do consistently to build and maintain this trust? This might include transparent communication, regular feedback, or open acknowledgment of your own errors. Leadership involves not just the pursuit of goals but also the day-to-day practices that support these goals.

Consider the real implications of your leadership ambitions. If you want a team that's innovative and risk-taking, are you prepared to support them through failures and learning experiences? The lifestyle of a leader who fosters innovation involves creating safety and openness within the team. It requires habits and choices that support these values.

Be honest about what you want from your leadership role and align your actions accordingly. Your clarity and honesty will not only refine your leadership approach but also inspire your team to engage deeply, trust you more, and commit to shared goals. In embracing a leadership style that truly reflects your aspirations, you create a culture of honesty, transparency, and mutual respect.

And remember, we don't rise to our goals...we fall to our systems.

If you wish to be a better leader, it's important that you create a daily system of actions, checks and balances that makes you one.

Need Help Finding Tech Talent?

Interested in exploring how staffing partners can streamline your talent search? Email me at ted.woolsey@pomeroy.com or connect with me via LinkedIn messenger for insights and collaborative opportunities.

Weekly Quotes, Jokes and Recommendations

I hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter, and I look forward to having you back next week. For now, I will leave you with the following:

Quote of the Week:

"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened."

- Lao Tzu

Dad Joke of the Week:

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

Book Recommendation of the Week:

The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

-Mel Robbins

About the Author

Ted Woolsey is a Sr. Account Manager at Pomeroy Technologies. In his free time, he is also a fitness writer and online fitness coach.?Ted lives in the NYC Metro Area with his wife and two dogs.

About Pomeroy

Pomeroy Technologies is a global IT staffing and solutions provider with over 40 years of expertise. We ensure that our clients have the top-quality talent and digital workplace solutions to give them a competitive edge for years to come.

Contact me at ted.woolsey@pomeroy.com to learn more!