Have you already watched the Formula 1 Netflix series “Drive to Survive”?
If not, you will after reading this post. Or, if you're like me, you will start rewatching the entire show to uncover new learning opportunities and principles you can apply in your life or business.
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If not, you will after reading this post. Or, if you're like me, you will start rewatching the entire show to uncover new learning opportunities and principles you can apply in your life or business.
I remember how I used to think Formula 1 was the most boring thing ever when my brothers were watching it. They would be glued to the TV on Sundays. I simply didn't get it.
But then 2 years ago, I was sitting on the couch reading, and my boyfriend turns on the Netflix show about F1. Immediately, I got distracted, put my book away, and since then, I have been a huge fan.
My obsession has nothing to do with the F1 races or cars, but what really attracted me to the show is how it's all about mindset and leadership.
Even if you don't like cars or racing, I bet the show can teach you a thing or two. I have learned A LOT from it as a personal brand, entrepreneur, and team leader.
Now I will share those principles with you so you can apply them to your business, too.
Believe it or not, there is so much going on behind the scenes of a Formula 1 race that only a few probably know.
The Netflix show has really managed to capture everything from team dynamics, money mindset, leadership, and a whole lot more… and I absolutely LOVE it!
Let's dive into 6 takeaways from the show.
1. Race and rest
As I started watching the Formula 1 show, I was extremely intrigued by the drivers. They race and rest.
Looking in the mirror, I see an entrepreneur who mostly races. I race again, and again, and again.
Now I see the consequences of neglecting my health and body the past year, and it made me think:
If an F1 driver isn't in peak condition, he can't perform his absolute best to win races. Me, on the other hand, if I'm not in peak condition, I can chug down some coffee and record a podcast episode that's less than optimal.
But that's NOT the way to go.
We keep on racing, even when we should rest. And that's one of the first learnings from studying F1 drivers.
It took me a long time to realize and accept I needed to invest in support systems that would enable rest time.
To run a company that performs really well, you need to be in peak condition, too, and if that means investing in yourself and taking care of your body and mind, then that's what you got to do… no matter what your environment says.
Recap: when you race, go all-in, but when you're tired, REST.
2. Invest in support systems
Every single F1 driver has a performance coach at their side at all times. The performance coaches protect the drivers' mindsets, lift them up, and stand by them day and night to ensure a peak condition.
You should have a support system that does the same for you.
For instance, I have a vocal coach who helps me with podcast recordings and speaking engagements and a business and mental coach. Everyone helps me in my business.
I have always been into investing in yourself, but we should normalize support systems even more. It's okay to have someone help you with the things that are not your unique skill.
We don't always have to do everything ourselves.
I bet there are many areas in your life where you think you're alone and can't get support, but you CAN GET SUPPORT. The trick to getting support is by ASKING for it.
There's so much more support available than you realize, so dare to ask for it.
3. Establish routines that combat your mood
Common for all F1 drivers and any top athlete for that matter is this: they have VERY good and clearly established routines.
Their body and mind routines are impressive.
However, entrepreneurs often underestimate what routines can do for their performance. We (I used to be like this, too), are more like: “I woke up like this, let me start working in my sweatpants.”
If you don't have ANY routines in place, start small and incorporate a few habits into your everyday life. For example, put on lipstick before going live, chant, or set aside time for a spa morning routine in your home.
Do what works for you, but most importantly, start incorporating routines in your day, so your mood can't determine how well you race.
Repeat after me: your mood cannot determine how well you perform in your business; so your routines will determine your success. Don't leave your success up to chance.
You have to show up, no matter what your mood feels like, and your routines and support system will help you do that.
4. Work to win
Do you think F1 drivers get in the car and think, “Let me just show up today. At least I got on the track”?
NO. All 20 drivers, every single one of them, are in it to win it. They want to get on the podium, and they have a clear vision of how to get there.
However, many of us never really get in the race. We never participate because we're afraid we will not win.
Sure, F1 drivers may have their doubts and fear, but what's different between them and most of us is this: they use their fear to fuel them and exhilarate them to win.
We can all learn a lot from them, including me. Don't let fear paralyze you; let it fuel you and inspire you to go for it.
If you drive to participate, you're never going to win. Envision your win, stay hyper-focused and step into your power. Drive to win.
Maybe you're also interested in this: Body or Business? Life Update and the 100 Days of Data Protocol
5. Learn from every failure
My dad always says, “When consistent human errors happen, there's a teaching opportunity.”
For instance, sometimes I get upset in my business when I see mistakes, and then I'm reminded that it's 1) a communication problem, 2) an educational problem, or 3) a process problem.
Therefore, if everything fails, look at what teaching opportunity you're faced with. Maybe there's something in your onboarding process that needs to get better, or there's a gap in the work process.
When you are faced with problems, reframe them as challenges and face them head on so you can improve for the future.
These are things you can solve.
I always thought I was a born entrepreneur and leader. The past year has proved me wrong. I still believe I have entrepreneurial DNA in my blood, but leading people and being a boss has been challenging.
Switching between different roles is extremely difficult.
Some days, I'm the investor and shareholder. All that matters is the results. Other days, I'm the team leader trying to motivate everyone and checking in on how everyone is doing.
6. Don't be a people pleaser
When someone isn't performing at their best in F1, they fire fast. I have had to let go of a few people, too, throughout my career, and it's never easy.
But it's part of building a team and stepping into a leadership role.
One of the mistakes I made was allowing for too much freedom. I built my business from the bottom and let everyone chime in, but now and then, I have to remind myself that I'm still the boss.
It's hard to embrace a leadership role when all you really want is for everybody to like you.
But this is where I have learned to trust my gut and focus on what's best for the business. Not what's best for me, but what's best for the business.
Trust your gut. Trust your inner power to make decisions for your business, and don't allow your feelings or ties to other people to tell you otherwise. You can't afford not trusting yourself in the same way you can't afford your mood to run decisions.
Therefore, don't be a people pleaser. Play like you've got nothing to lose, or you're not going to make the BIG BOLD moves you need to make. You got to go ALL-IN!
Let's recap and take a screenshot of these 6 principles to keep with you at all times:
- Race and rest
- Invest in support systems
- Establish routines that combat your mood
- Work to win
- Learn from every failure
- Don't be a people pleaser
Watch this episode on YouTube or listen via iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and search for episode 78 of The FastForwardAmy Show.
Do you want to avoid making some of the same mistakes I made and save SO MUCH time? Grab the Business Bible with 29 FastForward Success Principles for your business.
Download the Business Bible here.
We do not take any responsibility for the financial decisions or any other business-related decisions made by listeners/businesses based on our podcast content. Every business has its own specifics, which we cannot take into account in this podcast.
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