Athlete in the Arena or Worker in the Arena: Which One Are You?

Today, I have a couple of questions for you. How do you want to make your money moving forward? Do you want to make a hundred thousand dollars consistently over the course of a year? Or would you rather make that same amount within weeks, days, or even a single day? This is what we're diving into today.

Are you going to be the athlete in the arena, or are you going to be the worker in the arena? Both are important, but they earn differently, prepare differently, and live totally different lives.

Back in 2003, I had the chance to work with the number one female tennis player in the world. This opportunity taught me a lesson that I carry with me to this day. Athletes, like her, are capable of high performance but can break down easily if not managed well. They have to live and behave differently compared to workers.

Athletes vs. Workers: The Big Differences

1. Performance Levels:

   • Athletes perform at a high level, delivering exceptional results because they are the best in their field. Workers do not need to be the best; they just need to be consistent.

2. Preparation and Lifestyle:

   • Athletes have a preseason, in-season, and off-season. They require rigorous training, a strict schedule, and dialed-in nutrition to maintain their top performance.

   • Workers, on the other hand, show up every day, doing their job without the need for extreme preparation. They can have good days, bad days, and still keep their job.

3. Earning Potential:

   • Athletes get paid large sums of money for short bursts of high performance. Workers earn steadily over time, without the peaks and valleys that athletes experience.

Which One Are You?

I've decided to be the athlete in the arena. This means I don't have to show up every single day, but I have to treat my days differently. Right now, I'm in my off-season, transitioning into preseason, preparing for my high-performance periods.

For instance, my playoffs were our live event. That week was intense, with seven days of high energy and performance. But after that, I needed to rest and recover. You can't maintain that level of performance constantly without burning out.

The Entrepreneur's Dilemma

As entrepreneurs, we must decide: Are we workers or athletes? If you're going to be an athlete, you need to set up your business to allow for high performance in short bursts. You need time to train, think, and recover. You need a preseason, in-season, and off-season.

If you want to make $200,000 a year, you can't plan to make $4,000 every week. That's a worker's mindset. Instead, aim to generate significant income during a few high-performance periods throughout the year.

Recovery and Strategy

Even athletes must recover. Christian Pulisic, the captain of the U.S. soccer team, emphasized the need to recover and strategize after a tough loss. The same applies to us as entrepreneurs. We need downtime to think, plan, and come up with ways to serve our clients better.

Final Thoughts

Treating yourself like an athlete means understanding you're capable of high performance, but not all the time. Set your business up for success with this in mind. Make sure you have your times for high performance and your times for recovery. This approach can transform your business and your life.

So, which one are you? The athlete in the arena or the worker in the arena? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Much love, 

Greg

P.S. If you have any questions or want to connect, feel free to reach out. 

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