As an entrepreneur, you always strive to make your dreams come true. You constantly put in long hours to get your business off the ground, and sometimes that means sacrificing your health. This is the story of every entrepreneur trying to make it big. But what if I told you that being healthy and fit can help you on your entrepreneurial journey? And I speak from my own experience, says Patil. He started his entrepreneurial journey six years ago, and at that time his biggest and only goal was to meet short and long-term goals and check off daily tasks on his to-do list. Fitness was not one of them. Coming from a middle-class family where life threw financial problems almost every day, he was desperate to make money from the start and all his actionable plans revolved around making it happen. In his quest to achieve his goals as soon as possible, he worked day and night, sometimes not even bothering to eat. “I’ve always been an efficient worker and especially when I commit to something I have to make sure I see it through, but I remember about three years ago I started to lose focus and feel burnt out. I was only 27 years old. I gained a lot of weight, I weighed around 100 kg and it started to affect my performance. I panicked because it was not part of my plan,” recalls Patil. He attributed this to his poor lifestyle and not focusing on any form of fitness or physical activity as part of his daily schedule. This knowledge was a turning point for him on his life’s journey. He first identified the root cause and then took corrective action. He incorporated a fitness regime as a mandatory part of his day and followed it religiously. The results began to show not only in his physical, but also in his mental health. Patil comments, “It wasn’t easy at first, but I was guided by the results these lifestyle changes were showing me. I had better clarity of thought and started to feel more energetic every day. I can’t explain what this shift in my lifestyle has done to accelerate my entrepreneurial journey.” Patil strongly recommends having a fitness regimen that includes not only physical activity but also a proper diet. “As an entrepreneur, your time is precious. You are constantly pushing yourself and trying to make your business a success. This can take a toll on your physical and mental health if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s so important to make fitness a priority in your life.” Exercise helps reduce stress, improve sleep and increase energy levels. All of these things are essential for entrepreneurs who need to be at the top of their game all the time. A healthy lifestyle is also a good example for employees and customers. So don’t just look at fitness as something you have to do to stay in shape. Instead, think of it as an investment in your business and your future success. Make time for this every day, even if it’s just a walk around the block or a simple stretch at your desk. Your body and mind will thank you for it! A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about eating right and exercising regularly (although those things are important). It also means getting enough sleep, managing stress and staying hydrated. A journey that started three years ago has become a passion for this fitpreneur. Patil not only talks about the limitless benefits of being fit and staying healthy, but also helps his teams bust fitness myths through his weekly series on his social media channels titled – Fitness Myths busted. When asked for some tips on how to make fitness a part of your daily routine, Patil shared:
Schedule time: Just like you would schedule a meeting or conference call, schedule time to exercise. This will ensure that you actually make time for it and not just put it off until later.
Make it a priority: If you want to make fitness a part of your daily routine, you have to make it a priority. This means that you will make choices throughout the day that support your goal of being healthy and fit.
Find an activity you enjoy: It is important to find an activity you enjoy because then you are more likely to stick with it.
Set goals: Having specific goals will help you stay motivated and stay fit.
The success story of this young achiever who made it from Mumbai to the United Arab Emirates today motivates hundreds of Indians and young people around the world. His success tips are followed by thousands of people around the world and one thing he strongly recommends is to look at fitness and health as a lifestyle and not just a habit.
Ammar Tarique is a Content Strategist at Teamology Softech and Media Private Limited.