Are you ready for the offseason?

What it the one and only thing you have in common with Lebron James?

You both have an offseason.

For Lebron James the offseason is approximately three months long.

Enough time to recover, spend time with family, build muscle, practice and explore new business opportunities.

For an everyday punter like you and I with two to four weeks of annual leave per year it is just enough time.

Enough time for a Christmas lunch with family and a rushed relaxing unrelaxing vacation with the kids. Enough time to purchase the 2023 vision board and enough time to sign back in for late January presenteeism :)

Now before you decide to change from the corporate world for crossovers and jumpshots - consider the concept of the offseason for a minute.

The offseason in a work context, is simply a time in the year, where little to no work is completed. Whatever you do don't open your emails on your break.

For athletes, like Lebron James the offseason is a perfect time to reset and refocus from a performance perspective.

If I lost you at Lebron James, I apologise for you.

Going into his 20th season of playing basketball in the NBA (82 games per season), Lebron is not only famous for being a five time NBA Champion, Olympic Gold medalist, Investor in Tequilla brand Lobos. He is famous for spending $1.5million dollars on his body every year. Talk about preparation, self care and elite performance with longevity ++

Now if you have been following me for awhile, you know I love talking performance and wellbeing and you have probably heard of me say the phrase 'everyone is a athlete' or 'think like an athlete'.

If I was Lebron James, there are certain things I do in the offseason to make sure I enjoy my time, get adequate rest but still stay in shape for next season with the ultimate goal of being a champion.

For us mere mortals, I've put together a simple Corporate Athlete Offseason Checklist for your consideration as you go into your offseason. This is set out to give you some simple actions to take this week.

1. Rest and Recover

If you are sprinting to the finish line at this time of year, you really need some rest.

Replace the mindset of needing a stiff drink for I need a healthy dosage of sleep.

All professional athletes need to rest and recover from any injuries or physical stress they may have endured inseason.

You most likely need some rest time to recover from the cognitive load and stress you are under pre holidays.

Action - Allocate some time in your diary now for rest. Ask your partner to do the same. Rest will look different for everyone - a massage, sleep, a slow walk.

Think like an athlete.

2. Goal setting

As you wrap up your season, it is advised to block out at least thirty minutes in your final week of the year to set some goals for next season.

Average performers will focus on the finish line, feel exhausted and will have the mindset of 'bring on the new year'!

Sure I get the logic here, but if you dedicate thirty minutes for yourself to work on next year now, you can focus on execution of goals straight away in 2023. Rather than wasting January dreaming up goals and vision boards.

You might find that one of your goals for next season, can be started in the offseason.

For example, one of my goals for January to March 2023 is to finish season 7 of the Well Workplaces Podcast by interviewing a specific type of guest. To work this into a plan I need to create an action plan to get it done.

Action - Book 30 mins with yourself now before the year is out and write out some of your goals for 2023. First crappy draft is fine. Refine it later.

3. Work on Weaknesses

Elite athletes use the offseason to imporve on their skills acquisition. Perhaps it was a form slump through the inseason that needs some attention or a key skill is just lacking in their repertoire.

What is one wellbeing or performance skill missing from your repertoire?

For me, I started out 2022 with a great commitment to writing. It is something I enjoy doing for fun and it was a great way to sharpen up my creative energy. It was a habit until mid year when work was busier and I unintentionally stopped with this healthy habit.

Could you re-commit to some small skill practice in the offseason? Something that makes you feel good like exercise, sleeping, mindfulness, journaling, socialising. Whatever it might be - the offseason is the time to work on your weaknesses.

4. Stay Active

Even though the season is over, elite athletes continue to stay in shape. Lebron James is famous for working out even harder in the offseason using the principles of periodisation - a concept I talk about on the podcast.

If you are looking ahead to a heavy Christmas lunch or multiple boozy catch ups throughout the end of work season. Think about the concept of input and output.

If food, booze, social media are inputs and we label that consumption.

What are you doing as outputs for your body?

Action - Schedule in exercise in any shape of form on every day of the offseason. If it is just a walk - perfect! If you want more than that go for it. Athletes stiffen up out of season if they don't move. You will too.

5. Have Fun

Do you keep a list of hobbies that you want to try?

Sometimes adulting gets in the way of fun. The offseason is a perfect time for trying new things that bring joy to you.

For me, I've been eyeing off stand up paddle boarding for the summer. I've done it twice and loved it but haven't been back to it in over a year.

Action - Write a list of hobbies or activities you would like to try for fun this offseason. Prioritise and diarise one of them before you go on leave.

While we do not have $1.5million to spend on our body and mind, we have just enough time to set ourselves up for a enjoyable offseason and holiday period. With time comes opportunity for personal growth but more importantly fun and enjoyment. Now back to online shopping for my stand up paddle board - look after yourself and have a great break!