What is the number one thing I can do to optimize myself?

Posted byEric HerdmanPosted inUncategorized

I had a talk recently and I was asked during a group discussion how do you describe what you do?

This has been something I’ve been working on with a great speaker, presenter and business coach Laurie Richards.  Laurie has made herself very valuable to her clients as an insightful communication problem solver.  One of her many talents and skills is that she helps them discover a powerful “what I do” statement (those are my words not her’s).

I tell you that, to tell you this.  Back to the group I was working with. I replied.  When companies and associations needs orchestrated solutions in the area of leadership, productivity and human optimization so that their people can become the best versions of themselves they contact me for proven, reliable techniques that their people can apply immediately and get results.  

What happens in their heads is this… Problem (lack of productivity)  + (Eric’s) Reliable techniques = Immediate results (Their people are now getting things done)

This almost always prompts another question.  That question is what is the number one thing I can do to optimize myself? (to be my best, more productive, a better leader, etc…)

I always reply back just one thing?  Meaning there are many things that need to be done to optimize a human. They say oh yeah, I’m sure there are many but what’s the number one things I can do?  I say sleep. Sleep more and sleep better. With a puzzled look they alway reply… sleep? Sleep really!? I say yep. You asked for the one thing and that’s it. If you try and work with the granular things when you don’t have the 800 pound gorilla in the room handled none of the small stuff will count. It’s like diet advice. If you have a potato chip problem and over eat them all the time. My advice is don’t buy the chips. Problem solved.

I’m not suggesting something I don’t practice or observe. I do this with my sleep. I am obsessed with getting awesome sleep and I prioritize it. An example of this is… I have alarms set to stop caffeine.  I have another alarm set to stop working, shut down my laptop, electronic devices, phone and relax. Another for me to put my blue blocker glasses on. Doing things that stimulate you such as caffeine, strenuous exercise, arguments, TV shows, movies, news and thinking about stressors is like buying and eating the chips.  The whole bag of chips. Waiting to just get tired and thinking about going to bed is still having the potato chips. Have an alarm (better yet an evening routine) to stop doing things that keep us awake and get ready to sleep is on par with not buying the chips.

Set an alarm.

Don’t buy the chips

Set yourself you for success by focusing on the big ROI things first.  

After you do that. We should talk. It’s then time to work on the hundreds of other strategies that can and will make you a better optimized human.  

Published by Eric Herdman

Eric Herdman is an accomplished speaker, business leader, coach and facilitator, who has been speaking professionally in-person for almost 3 decades and as a virtual presenter for nearly 4 years. During his presentations Eric will entertain, inform, educate, and engage your audiences into action. Herdman is an innovator in helping others grow. Working with audiences and individuals and building his speaking business have been at the core of what Eric does, since he started speaking professionally in 1996. Eric has also experienced the start-up and development side of business when in late 2004, he raised the $1,000,000 necessary to open a startup called “Red Rock Running Company.” He grew the business into one of the largest specialty retailers in the southwestern United States market, with exponential growth. Eric is dedicated to orchestrating know-how. As a business owner and leader, his staff was trained and empowered to make decisions and deliver an excellent customer experience. His innovative advertising and social media networking efforts exposed niches for growing his customer base and filling their needs. As an International Professional Speaker, Eric’s clients include one of the world's largest franchise health club chains. He is well-known for his know-how in servicing customers and training staff and helped them reach a $20,000 increase in revenue in the first month of using his strategy. He works with a variety of clients from multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical companies to top financial institutions to national associations and government agencies. Eric has published several books including “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” and “The Complete Guide to Managing Everything, Everyone and Every Task.” Most recently, Eric’s “Time, Energy, and Focus” book has been expanded online as a Masterclass. For over 38 years Eric has walked the talk as a competitive ultra-endurance athlete, competing in 103 triathlons, 6 marathons and 35 ultra marathons. Eric holds the 12-hour course record at both “Flatlanders” race and “Race Against the Clock” as well as the 50-mile course record in the “Valley of Fire” race. He has also competed in many 24 hour races, including the "Ultimate Treadmill Challenge" where he raced for 24 hours on a treadmill. Whether you’re looking to strategically position your business, get more from your team, or get into shape, Herdman has the style and leadership to help you and your team achieve top-level success. For more on Eric’s programs email gail@ericherdman.com or text/call us at 702-553-7802.