As much as I love the warm weather, extended daylight, and outdoor activities that come along with the Summer Season, there are a few traits that I could honestly do without.

Perhaps it’s just me but has anyone else noticed that things just seem to move A LOT more slowly during the Summer?

For example, as I write this week’s blog I’m currently awaiting response on 3 LOIs (Letter Of Intent) that I submitted 3 weeks ago, a quote from a contractor on a condo renovation that was “promised” to be delivered back to me 2 weeks ago, and an order of toiletries and cleaning supplies for the gym that was supposed to be dropped off earlier last week. And yet each time I contact either the Listing Agents, Contractors, and/or Delivery Company, I always receive the same response (that is when I receive a response) – “Oh it’s Summer. People are away.”

Wait. What? I’m sorry but what the fuck do you mean “Oh it’s Summer.” and “People are away”? I am well aware that it’s Summer. I am also well aware that people go away on vacation. As a Business Owner though I am also aware that poor customer service can lead to a SIGNIFICANT loss in company revenue. And as a Business Owner, if you yourself are not overly concerned about profit margins and company growth, than at least you should be concerned about your reputation and level of service that you provide to your clients & customers.

So what if it’s Summer? Does the heat and sun give you an excuse to provide sloppy service? And who cares if people go away? As an owner or manager, it’s your job to ensure that those positions are covered for when your employees are sick, or go on an extended leave of absence. And if you can’t get them covered, than you yourself cover them yourself!

Unfortunately due to the lack of service in which I have been receiving these past few weeks from certain companies, I now find myself becoming less and less able to get shit done – both personally and professionally.

When “Time Away” Becomes Detrimental

As I mentioned above, I honestly have no problem with people wishing to take some time off from their careers. In fact, I completely support and encourage the decision to go on vacation and “unplug” for a week or two. Hell, I even encourage our clients to take a few days of rest from the gym every few weeks. Unfortunately when it comes to taking time off from the gym though, some people feel that they need more time off from exercising and working out than they actually might really need. This ofcourse eventually leads to a great deal of sorrow and regret once the belly becomes bigger, the arms become flabbier and that ass becomes non existent. As harsh as my words might seem, if you’ve ever taken an extended period of time off from lifting weights and cardiovascular activity, than you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I think COVID-19 was the perfect example of what can happen when our routines get interrupted for an extended period of time. Many of us developed poor habits during the Lockdown Phase that we are still trying to correct. Most people that were unable to exercise due to the closure of gyms, found it incredibly challenging to return to their regular workout routine. For some people, it was like starting from square one all over again. And sadly for others, they still haven’t been able to find that motivation needed to get back into a fitness routine and focus on their health and wellness.

The Domino Effect

I can only speak for myself when I say this, however I find that I lose all sense of momentum and drive with my business, my fitness, and my personal relationships when outside factors that I cannot control begin to get in my way. Fortunately, this is something that I know is a weakness of mine which is why I have been addressing it head on these past few months. As much I try not to overly concern myself with the things that I cannot control in life, I’ve never been fully able to master this act. Perhaps I really am a control freak. Regardless, one of the positives that came out of this Global Pandemic was that it taught me the importance of remaining relentless and optimistic regardless of how poorly the situation I might find myself in might be. Make no mistake, it’s almost impossible to remain self motivated 24/7. And as much as many of us may try, we all really do need a break from time to time.

I just think that the breaks we take should be planned ahead of time and used strategically so that they do not set us backwards or have negative impacts on our health, our businesses, and perhaps most importantly, those that support and care for us.

“The most important superpower of this century will be the power to be indistractable.”
Nir Eyal

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance