While “executing” my morning routine, I realized my crack of dawn habit was messed up. Designed to fuel, energize, and sustain me, it did little to prepare me for the day ahead.

I run hard throughout the day. Besides being a business coach, I’m a business owner, wife, house and yard manager, chef, housekeeper, sister, aunt, grandma, godmother, and friend. It’s exhilarating…and exhausting.

My day begins at 5:30 am. It’s the time before the sun rises that my world is quiet. I have undisturbed, uninterrupted time for me and my rambling thoughts of the day ahead.

Needless to say, I’m a bit embarrassed to share my sacred morning routine with you. But, in the spirit of full transparency, here goes.

Feasting on Fruity Bears & Digital Delicacies

Up until the time of this writing, my break of day “me” time was filled with pouring over my iPad, caffeine in hand, curled up in my favorite corner of a well-worn couch. It was 90-minutes of sheer, unadulterated bliss before I hit the trail for the day’s adventure.

This morning was different.

Having read an article on fueling for the day, I set out to challenge my daily grind. The author suggested having breakfast within 30 minutes of rising followed by 1 cup of coffee. Say what?! My 90-minute escapade included 2-3 cups of that hot, rich caffeine-ladened elixir. Breakfast was an afterthought 2-3 hours into the day.

In an attempt to follow the expert’s idea, I launched into the new routine, albeit ridden with skepticism and forlorn. How I would miss my “old” routine. Much like disposing of my favorite pair of running shoes long-past their purpose and usefulness, it was tough to part with my old ways.

My well-worn morning routine consisting of games, social media, and news consumption. It was my way to energize and prepare myself for the day ahead — to gird my loins, if you will. Yet, it was very much like having a sugary donut and a handful of gummy bears before climbing Mt. Baldy.

A Hikers Guide to Peak Performance

As a hiker of Mt. Baldy, it didn’t take long to realize that such a morning start wouldn’t take me far up the trail. What if I peered down the eye of each day as if it were a trek across the Pacific or Appalachian trail? How would I fuel? How would I travel? Would I go all day without a break?

Heck, no!

Breaks would be pre-planned. Meals and snacks — affectionately called “fueling” — would be deliberate and calculated. Hydration would be projected and delivered with regularity to avoid the energy-crushing effects of dehydration. Rest — and lots of it — would be premeditated.

These would not be ad hoc activities. No “poking around on Facebook” until the wee hours of the morning only to have sleep interrupted by the blue light of digital devices. No! We would be much more reverent and respectful of our routines and habits knowing what the day ahead may bring.

IMHO (In My Humble Opinion)

The job of an entrepreneur is exhilarating. It’s exciting and fun. And, it’s demanding — as taxing as the mountain trails with their dangerously steep inclines and rocky descents.

The views along the way are spectacular. The vistas inspiring. To reach the summit — the ultimate pinnacle of our labor — requires the utmost care in planning and preparation to ensure our readiness for the journey ahead.

Entrepreneurs do a crappy job of taking care of themselves — myself included. We need to do better to make certain we outperform each and every day along the trail. It is, after all, the only way to summit.

Fit is a term that describes a variety of things.

It’s an acronym that stands for “federal income tax” or “free independent traveler.”

It’s a verb of the right shape and size. “My jeans still fit.”

Most commonly, fit describes a condition of good health, particularly due to regular physical exercise. “I walk daily to stay fit.”

Perhaps the most applicable definition of fit as it applies to entrepreneurs is of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose. The most important of these as it relates to entrepreneurship is “to meet the required purpose.”

Fit For The Job

The work of an entrepreneur is exciting and exhilarating. It’s like a scene from the 1969 cult classic, Easy Rider, where two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth…on the good days with the wind in their hair and the sun in their face.

The days of an entrepreneur, like the leather-clad motorcycle riders in Easy Rider, are filled with risk and rebellion against the establishment. Mention fit and entrepreneur in the same sentence and what image immediately comes to mind? Chiseled biceps and the speed of a gazelle achieved through sweating at the gym, throwing around a bunch of metal weights.

In this case, nothing is further from the truth.

5 Strategies to Raise Your Entrepreneurial Fitness Level

Just like any effective fitness program, there are several strategies that, when combined, enhance the results you’ll achieve. The road to becoming a fit entrepreneur is no different.

1) Get some zzzzz. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know the importance of an adequate amount of restful sleep. Despite what we continue to learn through the science of sleep, most entrepreneurs “burn the midnight oil” in an attempt to get ahead.

In the words of the great Dr. Phil, “How’s that working for you?”

Not well, apparently…and there’s a price to pay.

An inadequate amount and quality of sleep affect judgment, focus, decision-making, and the ability to practice self-discipline, just to mention a few things. Over the long-haul, a lack of adequate sleep affects one’s health. Just ask Arianna Huffington.

Strategy: Get 7 – 8 hours of quality sleep each night. And, no….you’re not special. You cannot survive on 4-6 hours a night. Just ask your spouse!

2) Unplug. Growing up, the “boogie man” under the bed haunted our sleep. Electronics, which are integrated into every aspect of our lives, are the modern-day “monster” interrupting our need for sleep.

The blue light emitted by the screens of our electronic gadgets slows the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our wake/sleep cycles. It tricks the brain into thinking we need to be alert. Plus, if you happen to read a piece of news or an email that triggers your brain, it becomes more challenging – if not impossible – to calm down and go to sleep.

Strategy: Turn off all screens – cell phone, ipad, and TV – at least 60 minutes before bedtime. Your brain will thank you.

3) Move it. If you’re like me, you’re really tired of people making this point. Ack! Who doesn’t want to be a slug? I do!

In addition to the obvious physical benefits, exercise is a well-known stress reliever that sharpens our critical thinking ability. Not only that, studies show that entrepreneurs who run or bike have higher sales.

Improve my waistline and my bottom line? Count me in!

Strategy: Take the time to exercise 60 minutes every day. After all, you are the boss and have the power to make these important decisions.

4) Work in Cycles. “Keep your nose to the grindstone” was often the idiom used to describe a work style that consisted of continuous hard labor. A new age requires a different work style.

Enter “The Results Curve.”

Pierre Khawand, author of The Results Curve(TM): How to Manage Focused and Collaborative Time, determined that our best results are achieved after 40 minutes of focused work following by 20 minutes of collaboration.

Tony Schwartz, President of The Energy Project, uncovered scientific research revealing the human body’s natural 90/20 cycle. His 90-Minute Solution of focused work for 90 minutes followed by 20 minutes of rest dramatically influences performance.

Strategy: Call time out early and often throughout your day no matter what work cycle you choose to follow.

5) Nosh for success. Although the brain makes up only 2% of our body weight, it consumes 20% of the calories. This explains why mental fatigue feels so physical. Using our brains all day is exhausting.

Blood glucose is a complicated subject. Just ask any diabetic. Too much and we have to peel you from the ceiling; too little and you’re being scraped off the floor.

Achieving a balanced blood sugar is a bit like “little Red Riding Hood” – not too much or too little but just the right amount of brain glucose keeps you breezing smoothly through the day.

Strategy: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper” plus keep some healthy snacks close by for that midday brain glucose slump. Potato chips and licorice not allowed.

The yin/yang of entrepreneurship requires fitness on all levels – mental, emotional, and physical. Fit entrepreneurship affords the ability to remain clear thinking and focused – absent of distractions – so that you might move more easily and effortlessly through the demands of the day.

Are you ready to get your fit on?