Gut Check
Updated: Aug 12, 2022
Written by: Brian Wood, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We'll get warmed up by exploring a topic that is super comfortable (especially for those of us who fall into the "dad bod" category).
Let's talk about that gut!
When we listen to our stomachs, we can hear some valuable leadership, mindset and life lessons. Let me explain.
Sunday Night
Think about a recent Sunday night and reflect on what thoughts bounced around your head. For many, the elation that showed up on Friday ‒ when anticipating the weekend ‒ is a distant memory. Sadly, most of our society feels a combination of disgust, sickness (actual or imagined), or even symptoms of depression. And the location is often in the pit of our stomach ‒ tension and anxiety churning endlessly.
That’s right ‒ Monday morning/mourning is right around the corner! How did this happen yet again? How did I land here so quickly?
It's even more painful when realize that you didn't shut down your work brain and hop on a plane for a cool weekend adventure. You continued the grind and played catch up.
Have you ever been here? I have!
Lesson: If you're in this space, that’s okay. But it's not okay to stay here! What is your next best move to change your circumstances and create your next sustainable adventure?
Butterflies
Athletes feel those butterflies before an event. But there is a difference between how the best of the best interpret this message compared to those who are overwhelmed by this feeling. Those who perform at a high level athletically, in business and in life go to a cool place inside of their head and say "Oh yeah ‒ I am getting ready to do some work ‒ I got this!"
On the other side of the coin, those who succumb to those pesky butterflies and anticipate them as an impending sign of disaster become accurate fortune tellers.
"I hope I don't drop the ball"
"I hope I don't screw up this interview"
"I hope I don't choke during this business meeting"
Guess what happens next? This type of mindset creates a self-fulfilling prophecy/travesty!
Lesson: Reframe and tell yourself a different story. There is a fine line between the feeling of fear and that of excitement. Remind yourself that you are getting ready to perform at a high level and that your body (and those butterflies) is signaling you to do something special.
Hunger pangs
There are two components to this portion of the "gut chronicles" ‒ growth and passion.
Growth - If you're not growing, you're dying. Growing is about embracing those hunger pangs and feeding yourself with the right thoughts, habits, emotions and behaviors that push you toward the future version of yourself as an athlete, leader and human being. This means that playing it safe and comfortable (and crushing pizza the second a growth/hunger pang shows up) prevents us from becoming our best version.
Passion - How hungry are you? In other words how bad do you want it? You should be starving to create your own reality and move closer to what you were designed to be while achieving whatever that vision looks like to you. If you don't know what your passion is, invest time in thinking through the things that bring you joy. You can start this journey by experimenting with the following question:
If no one were paying you any money or any attention ‒ how would you spend your time?
Lesson: If you listen too closely and comply with those hunger pangs, you might experience a growth in the size of your stomach! But we can recognize that discomfort could be creating growth opportunities from a development perspective.
Lesson: If you're not hungry and energized by the gift of life today, do something different! There is a way to win with passion ‒ find it!
It's time to take advantage of this "gut check" and leverage this very moment to change the game and make some plays and manifest our destiny!
Brian Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Brian Wood combines 30 years of corporate experience with his background as an athlete, certified player agent (NBA, WNBA, and FIBA), and a certified professional success coach to provide clients with a unique perspective and guidance toward the next level of achievement. Wood is passionate about continuous personal and professional growth including organizational development, training, and gamification. He is enthusiastic about helping leaders leverage their gifts to drive impact and success. Wood supports major corporations, professional sports organizations, and municipalities. He provides confidential, professional, and executive coaching, speaking engagements, virtual and in-person facilitation.
