Zeynep “Z” Ekemen is CEO and inventor of Silver Defenderwhich produces antimicrobial plastic film for high touch points.
getty
An ordinary Friday morning in September turned into one of the most life-changing days of my life. I woke up that morning and decided to start a program called “75 Hard” out of the blue. It wasn’t something I ever looked at or wanted to try. I had seen a few people on my social media platforms commenting on this “life changing journey” they were on, but I rarely paid attention to it because it was never something I set out to do. The program has a few steps that must be followed every day and requires discipline.
Why did I decide to start it? Like many entrepreneurs, I get up every morning and try to make each day better than the last. I know I am capable of improving personally and professionally, but little has changed over the years. You’ve probably heard a saying often attributed to Albert Einstein: “Madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Well, I felt like I had done the same thing repeatedly over the past decade. I longed to take my professional life and personal journey to the next level. And so I decided to try the program.
I never imagined that the changes I would see would be so drastic. Through this experience I learned a lot about what it takes to work at a high frequency and avoid self sabotage, especially as a leader.
What does it mean to be a leader who operates at a high frequency? I believe high frequency individuals are goal oriented. They are energetic and in touch with their emotions. They find out what and who brings them joy, and recognize what and who brings them down. These types of leaders need to let go of low-frequency people and activities by looking at their environment and investing in improving themselves. If you want to take yourself to a new level, you need to change your environment and take steps that will bring you closer to what you are looking for.
There are a few simple things a leader can do to ensure they stay in high frequency and avoid self-sabotage. For me personally, for example, I find it helpful to prioritize work-life balance and my health. Establishing a healthy lifestyle of exercise and eating better has helped me become a better version of myself.
As an entrepreneur, I also find it helpful to:
• Tap into your purpose and passion. I believe that an entrepreneur should have purpose and passion and use it to make an impact. I’ve found that one of the best ways to make an impact is to find a nonprofit that is involved in the causes you are passionate about.
• Prioritize self-care and stress management. Make sure you give yourself time to recharge when you need to. There are many things you can do to mentally recharge, even in a short time. For example, you can practice a quick meditation, go outside for a run or walk, get a massage, take a warm bath, or listen to music. The key is to find what makes you feel good.
I believe the decision to become a better you is the most life-changing decision you could possibly make. While consistency and building positive changes in your daily life can be challenging, ultimately this work is a small price to pay to become the very best version of yourself.
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