Mediocre Business Warrior or Effective Business Athlete?

Are you busy being busy? Are you tired of feeling sick and tired? Are you tired of feeling unfulfilled? Are you tired of this “faster is better” myth, which so many admire and emulate? Are you tired of living your life on somebody else’s terms? Are you killing yourself for a job that would replace you within a week if you became seriously ill or dropped dead? If so, then consider what the average body of a classic modern-day business person is required to go through every 24 hours:

Their heart beats over 115,200 times. Their blood travels (circulates) 280 million km. They breathe more than 21,600 times, inhaling over 8,888 liters of air. They ingest more than 1.5kgs of food and drink more than 2.5 liters of liquids. They lose 0.5kgs of waste. They speak over 25’000 words. They process over 70,000 thoughts (80 percent being negative ones!). They move more than 600 muscles. And they exercise more than 7 million brain cells.

But that’s only half of the equation.

Compound that with a world that’s been wildly accelerated by technology, digital disruption, high-tension living, relentless change and uncertainty, psychological stress, sleep deprivation, chrono-misalignment, an extra 158 hours (the equivalent of an extra month of working hours!) added to our annual working and commuting time over the past twenty years, physical inactivity, addiction to stimulants (smartphone included!), inadequate nutrition, toxic work environments, and – more importantly – a characterless-based crisis marked by insincerity and deceit.

And we wonder why we’re feeling tired, fragile, and unfulfilled!

There is an energy crisis in modern day business, and it has nothing to do with the price of oil or fossil fuels. Tragically, millions of business people worldwide, addicted to speed and seduced by short-cut techniques, leave their homes each morning to work long hard hours in soul-destroying jobs, so they can buy “things” they don’t need nor have time to use, to impress people they’ve never met or dislike!

Business Athletes believe character is the most vital component of any human being. They don’t compromise their values or change their principles depending on who they are dealing with.

Defining a Business Athlete and a Business Warrior can, to a great extent, be likened to what the great Napoleon Hill refers to as the “Non-Drifter” or “Drifter” in his life-changing book: “Outwitting the devil.” By the way, if you haven’t read this book, then I highly recommend that you do. It’s one that every human being needs to read…especially business leaders, global leaders, and politicians!

Hill proclaims that 98 percent of people in our world are “drifters” (what I refer to as Business Warriors who idolize Silicon Valley technocrats, support their robotic humanity agenda, and are busy being “entertained” and saturated with the “convenience” tools they produce) – people who do little or no thinking for themselves. And only 2 percent are “non-drifters” (what I refer to as Business Athletes who embrace “Less is More” as their guiding principle, believe in human prosperity, and live their lives independent of technological control) – people who have a mind of their own and use it for all purposes.

Hill defines a drifter as the following, and I quote:

“The first thing you will notice about a drifter is his total lack of a major purpose in life.

He will be conspicuous by his lack of self-confidence.

He will never acquire anything requiring thought and effort.

He will be ill-tempered and lacking in control over his emotions.

He will have opinions on everything, but accurate knowledge of nothing.

He will make the same mistake repeatedly, never profiting from failure.

He will expect everything of others but will be willing to give little or nothing in return.

He will eat too much and exercise too little.

He will criticize others who are succeeding in their chosen calling.

A drifter is one who permits himself to be influenced and controlled by circumstances outside of his own mind.” 

Hill’s definition of a drifter, in many ways, is a graphic description of a classic Business Warrior.

And this is how Hill defines a non-drifter, and I quote:

“The first sign of a non-drifter is this: He is always engaged in doing something definite, through some well-organized plan which is definite. He has a major goal in life toward which he is always working, and many minor goals, all of which lead toward his central scheme.

The tone of his voice, the quickness of his step, the sparkle in his eyes, the quickness of his decisions clearly mark him as a person who knows exactly what he wants and is determined to get it, no matter how long it may take or what price he must pay.

If you ask him questions, he gives you direct answers and never falls back on evasions or resorts to subterfuge. 

He extends many favors to others but accepts favors sparingly or not at all.

He will be found up front whether he is playing a game or fighting a war.

If he does not know the answers, he will say so frankly.

He has a good memory; never offers an alibi for his shortcomings.

He never blames others for his mistakes no matter if they deserve the blame.

He is an inspiration to all who come into contact with his mind.

The major distinguishing feature of the non-drifter is this: He has a mind of his own and uses it for all purposes.

The major difference between the drifter and the non-drifter is something equally available to both. It is simply the prerogative right of each to use his own mind and think for himself.”

In a nutshell, Business Athletes understand that the difference between “I must” and “I should” is the existence you want and the existence you have while Business Warriors want the convenience of digital transformation without the inconvenience. Yes, as human beings, consistency is our greatest challenge but it’s also the foundation of all worthy achievements – and the blueprint of extraordinary people.

On a final note, here’s a question for you to wrestle with: What would your life look like if you were courageous enough to raise your standards, shift from a fixed to growth mindset, and become the person you have the potential to be while inspiring others to do the same?

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Serve others. And do what is right, not what is easy!