There are many parallels between Formula 1 and entrepreneurship.
For example, victory in both fields does not come easy. Each requires determination and, pun intended, drive in order to triumph.
Yet, there is also another similarity between the premier motorsports competition and business that doesn’t often get discussed, and that is how good health is critical to achieving success.
As QNET’s own brand ambassador and champ racer Chetan Korada has highlighted before, racing drivers face numerous challenges in their quest for glory.
So, staying fit and healthy allows them to keep sight of and hit their goals.
In conjunction with the Formula 1 season and a renewed focus on the health of elite athletes, here’s a look at four lessons on health from the world of F1 that can be just as important to business owners.
Be consistent
Consistency is an important aspect of both fitness and sporting success. And in F1, it’s vital for drivers to always put in the time and effort to take care of their health.
Sure, it may not seem like driving around a track is particularly draining. But record-breaking racer Lewis Hamilton confirms that F1 is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports on the planet!
That means there’s no room for slacking off, and training must be consistent and continuous.
Of course, no one’s suggesting that entrepreneurs are put through the same rigorous workouts daily. But like F1 drivers, successful business owners believe that making health an everyday priority is crucial to victory in the long term.
Get your Zs
F1 aces constantly jet from one exotic race location to the next. As such, the assumption is that they’re sleep-deprived.
Yet that’s not the case. In fact, racers are very serious about clocking in Zs as they need to be super alert behind the wheel. French ace Esteban Ocon even insists on as much as 12 hours of slumber a day!
This isn’t too different for business owners who make tonnes of important decisions daily.
We may all know of entrepreneurs who fail to prioritise slumber and even wear sleep deprivation as a badge of honour. But the lesson from F1 is clear — if you want to be at your most alert at work, sleep!
Make sure to hydrate
By and large, F1 pros don’t mess around when it comes to staying hydrated. For the few who do, not consuming enough liquids can exact a heavy price.
One of the reasons for this is that on-track heat, especially at certain circuits, can get way intense and dehydrate drivers to the point of danger.
But there’s also another reason — maintaining focus.
Water is crucial to maintaining physical health. And as studies have found, it’s also vital for cognition and success in most fields of work. Business and entrepreneurship too!
Sure, direct sellers and entrepreneurs don’t have to endure the same demanding situations as racing aces. But if increased productivity and profits are your aim, you’ve got to drink up.
Don’t forget your mind
From world champs like Sebastian Vettel to young guns like Lando Norris, F1 drivers are unanimous in the view that taking care of your mind is just as important as caring for the physical self.
Athletes are under constant pressure to perform. And often, this can result in major mental stress.
As such, efforts must be made to address issues, find the right balance between work and leisure, surround yourself with the right people, and where needed, seek professional help.
It’s the same advice for us entrepreneurs and business folks.
Remember, scoring wins for your business — like bagging podium finishes — is important. But so too is taking care of your health and wellbeing.