Health is often considered parallel to everyday life activities, such as work and lifestyle commitments. Now, business has joined that group as the last few years have ushered in a new wave of flexible start-ups. Jonathan Fogelberg recognized the similarities in his passion and entrepreneurial ambition and built a start-up business centered on physical fitness.
For the few who appreciate fitness as a business and a lifestyle, their shared values and truths both contribute to success; the same principles that lead to a growing body can make a business grow, too.
For example, they require a deep, unwavering dedication to your goals in order to achieve them. Fogelberg, who is launching a fitness program entitled the ‘90 Days Challenge’, has shared how a drive to beat the competition can help you grow a new business.
Dedicate yourself to discipline
‘You only get out what you put in’ is a lesson many preach to the next generation. It’s true equally in business, where work generates leads, and in fitness, where hours in the gym result in a better body. Staying true to your plan can be pivotal in reaching fitness and entrepreneurial success.
“The discipline that fitness teaches us, you can apply to your business,” Fogelberg explained. “You might not want to take that last phone call, follow up, or reach out to new clients, but doing so is essential to growing your business. Similarly, you must stick to your plan to get into shape for a bodybuilding show.”
For fitness enthusiasts, that plan may involve adhering to specific dietary requirements or putting a set number of hours into cardio on particular days of the week. The discipline of a strict fitness regimen can encourage equal success for your start-up business too. Think sleep routines, practicing gratitude, and building your personal brand.
Leap over start-up hurdles
An initial business plan or fitness program may work in practice, but life’s realities are quick to disrupt the best-laid plans of entrepreneurs or athletes. Seasoned business people will understand that outcomes are shaped by how you overcome problems. They may not realize that the fitness world is a microcosm of a start-up business’ journey.
“In bodybuilding, when you eat more calories than you’re supposed to, the only thing you can do is burn them off by either eating less the next day or upping your cardio,” Fogelberg said. “If you mess up in business, it may take a little longer to rectify, but you know you have to balance out the mistake to move forward. Beginners in both worlds are more prone to hiccups than high-level competitors or business leaders, so it’s important to identify and learn from them.”
Stay motivated for business success
Beyond all else, clear objectives and a desire to succeed dictate how it goes when somebody registers their company or walks into the gym for the first time. Competitive athletes are the most illustrative example, as their careers are determined by finish times, distances, and weight measurements. Likewise, entrepreneurs are motivated by conversion rates or profit margins, which critically provide a feeling of reward when improved.
“When it comes to achievement, business is exactly like bodybuilding,” Fogelberg outlined. “You give yourself an aim, like reaching a certain weight or revenue number. Once you’ve hit your goal as a start-up business or bodybuilder, you’re not going to stop and go back. People who are that driven will want to add that extra 15 lbs or make that extra million.”
Perhaps the most striking similarity between those who set out to start a successful business and those who crave success in physical fitness is their mindset. What both exemplify is a need to do better and exceed the competition. Inspiration could come from seeing a hot start-up garner press, like watching a seasoned athlete walk on stage at a bodybuilding expo.
