Premier Players March 2024 Edition

How Self-Images Steers Success

A favorite memory from when I was young is a time my family spent at Lake Superior. If you are unfamiliar, Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes. It is so large, that in some ways it has more in common with a sea. And like the seas, it is often traversed by ships, and it still has lighthouses.

My dad used to dive on shipwrecks in the lake. The wrecks he dove on were never that far off-shore. This always seemed mysterious and tragic to me that so many ships wrecked so close to apparent safety.

We visited the Split Rock Lighthouse during the trip. This lighthouse was built in 1905, as a response to a powerful storm on the lake. This storm damaged or destroyed 29 ships and killed at least 36 people. To me, the lighthouse felt like a great, silent hero.

Leaders can be like lighthouses, guiding and directing others during dark, stormy, turbulent times. But they can only do this well if their own light is well-maintained, strong, and bright. The quality, clarity, and consistency of any leader's light

are strongly connected to the quality, clarity, and consistency of their internal life.

Leadership & self-image

Leadership always and only exists within a relationship. How any one of us participates in a relationship is strongly informed by how we see ourselves. In other words: Our self-image.

If I see myself as someone with something valuable to offer, who is responsible, and who follows through on commitments, I'll tend to relate along those lines.

If I see myself as someone who tends to be taken advantage of, or who is often disrespected, or if I doubt my abilities to carry responsibility, I'll tend to relate along those lines.

And because I relate differently, I'll experience a different kind of response from others. I'll form a relationship of a different nature. Because of how I see myself. Not because of who I'm with.

How I see myself, influences how others see and relate to me.

A leader with a strong, positive self-image stands firm like a well-maintained lighthouse. They can provide clear direction and inspiration even in stormy times. Their relationships may be marked by trust, respect, and credibility.

Conversely, if a leader's self-image is weak or negative, it's like a lighthouse with a dim, flickering, or inconsistent light. It leads to uncertain or inconsistent guidance. Their relationships may be defined by confusion, conflict, or mistrust.

How common is this?

Every leader I work with has developed a self-image that impacts their relationships in some way. This impacts their effectiveness as leaders.

In most cases, someone's self-image is difficult to see. But there are signs.

Signs of a leader with a poor self-image

Others feel controlled.

People don't feel appreciated or valued. Needs to boast or self-promote. Restricts flow of information or opportunities. Has an unrealistic perspective and blinders. Difficult to approach or correct.

Conflict must be won, suppressed, or avoided. Signs of a leader with a healthy self-image

Others feel built up or encouraged.

Recognizes the effort and accomplishments of others.

Mistakes are viewed as a part of growth. Confidence in their responsibilities, roles, and relationships.

Accepts limits of ability, energy, and influence. Approachable and correctable. Works through conflict. This isn't (just) about you

Yes, your quality of life will improve with an improved self-image. But this isn't only about you. I hope you can see that how you see yourself impacts others. As leaders, we are responsible for our impact on others. It's the nature of the job.

Leaders have an obligation to pursue personal growth. We have a responsibility to cultivate a healthy self-image.

Eight ways to improve your self-image

I have often coached leaders through improving their self. Below are some of the exercises they use to generate this shift:

Keep promises to yourself: An Ed Mylett concept. Keeping promises boosts self-confidence while breaking them undermines trust in oneself.

Practice gratitude: Recognize the 'good' you receive from others. This fosters humility and a healthy selfimage.

Track daily wins: A Dan Sullivan concept. Set and achieve daily goals, then journal them. This builds an inventory of accomplishments, enhancing intentionality and self-image.

Surround yourself with positive people: Engage with motivated, uplifting people to enhance your outlook.

Learn a new skill: Growth in personal or professional areas boosts humility and confidence.

Improve physical fitness: Even brief daily exercise improves mood, confidence, and cognition.

Serve others: Help others through mentoring, volunteering, or listening. Serving, especially those perceived as undeserving, empowers decisionmaking and self-perception.

Reframe the past: Let go of or positively reinterpret past experiences. Seek help if needed.

Conclusion

To effectively shine its light, to provide meaningful direction and guidance to others, a lighthouse has to be maintained. You'll discover that the work you do on yourself will trigger new opportunities, and larger successes and, more importantly, will help others grow as well.

Article written by Christian Muntean

After a bidding war, Patek Philippe's Grandmaster Chime became the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction. The final cost? $31 million for the two watches. They boasts two dials (one on the back) and 20 different functions. That's a lot of watch for a lot of money, but it also raised a lot of money for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy .

Howtobuildmuscle&burnfatwithlesswork

Forget the bro science you keep seeing on TikTok you can actually work smarter, not harder, in the gym for better results.

A simple, sustainable routine can be an effective way to build muscle and burn fat with less time and effort, said Adam Enaz, a personal trainer and dietitian specializing in fitness transformations.

Contrary to what popular fitness influencers may suggest, severely cutting calories, foregoing carbs, and exhausting yourself on the treadmill isn't the best way to get ripped, according to Enaz.

"There's a lot of bro science in the fitness community, particularly when it comes to men," he told Business Insider. "People have this idea that to get fit you need to run loads and eat low carb. It's the opposite."

Enaz said that a few hours of lifting weights per week and some basic nutrition know-how is all you need to create a lasting routine to shed body fat and pack on lean muscle — no fad diets or back-breaking workout trends required.

Stop doing endless cardio

One of the common issues that can prevent people from reaching their aesthetic goals is excessive cardio in an attempt to burn body fat, according to Enaz.

"When you do cardio, you lose fat and become slim, but you don't get toned or get an aesthetic appearance," he said.

Too much cardio can be a waste of time if you want to build muscle. Some aerobic exercise is still important for overall health, though.

London-based personal trainer and dietitian Adam Enaz specializes in helping people make fitness transformations, often by making their routine simpler.

"Lifting weights made me more confident, stronger, and helped me get the appearance I have," Enaz said.

A concept called progressive overload is key to getting great results lifting weights, Enaz said. What it means is that you need to continually challenge the muscles over time by lifting gradually heavier weights, or with more reps.

But it doesn't mean you need to hit every muscle group from every angle to make gains. One client working with Enaz saw more defined muscles with four hours of weekly exercise.

Focus on short workouts with weights

If you want more defined muscles, strength training such as lifting weights is key to prompting muscle growth.

"People are smashing their chest and biceps, doing three to four exercises in a session thinking it will cause muscle growth, but you'll reach a plateau," Enaz said.

Research suggests you can get 80% of potential muscle gains with between five to nine sets a week per muscle group after that, additional sets lead to diminishing returns.

Stick to simple exercises

Enaz coaches in-person sessions based in London, but also helps clients worldwide with virtual sessions. He said exercises with dumbbells or gym machines like the leg press are great for building muscle for fitness beginners, since they don't require complicated technique.

You don't need to overcomplicate your exercises, either, since classic compound movements like deadlifts, shoulder presses, and the like can work multiple muscle groups at once.

Don't cut carbs

Low-carb diets have become a popular weight-loss strategy, but they may not be your best bet for building strength and muscle.

Carbohydrates are a crucial source of energy, especially for providing quick fuel during intense exercises, dietitians previously told Business Insider.

Enaz said a high-carb diet with weightlifting can be a better strategy for creating a lean, muscular physique. One of his clients, 45-year-old Bobby Liu, achieved better muscle definition, increased his strength, and reduced his belly fat by eating a flexible, high-carb diet.

Eat enough food, especially protein

If you're working hard in the gym but not seeing results, you might not be eating enough to build muscle. While a calorie deficit is important for burning fat, undereating by too much can cause you to lose muscle mass instead of fat. Enaz.

said that's why people don't see results if they cut calories severely.

However, you also don't need to overdo it if you're trying to build muscle mass an extra hundred calories a day can be a good start, Enaz said. Eating

said that's why people don't see results if they cut calories severely.

However, you also don't need to overdo it if you're trying to build muscle mass an extra hundred calories a day can be a good start, Enaz said. Eating more won't necessarily build muscle tissue any quicker and can lead to fat gain instead.

"When men are trying to gain muscle, they think they need to eat as many calories as they can," Enaz said.

Stay consistent and be patient

Programs that promise amazing results at lightning speed likely aren't sustainable, and you're better off taking a slow and steady approach to see real, lasting change.

"We want things quick, especially when everyone has a six-pack on Instagram and people are photoshopped. It makes you feel like you need to look like that right away," he said.

Enaz said his approach to fitness often surprises clients who expect a more complicated secret to achieving their goals. But it's not a unique exercise or diet that leads to gains, it's mastering the basics and sticking to them over time, he said.

"It's not that people don't know what to do, it's that they're irregular. They do it for a week, and then stop," Enaz said.

I Hated Budgeting - Until I Learned These 4 Tricks

Michael Collins, the CFO of WordFusion, said he used to absolutely despise budgeting, because it felt restrictive and tedious — and he didn’t see the point.

“But over time, I realized that avoiding budgeting wasn’t doing me any favors financially,” he said. “So, I decided to give it another shot and find a system that actually worked for me. Overall, embracing a more positive mindset towards budgeting and finding a system that aligns with my lifestyle has made all the difference. It’s transformed budgeting from something I used to dread into a valuable tool for managing my finances and working towards my financial goals.”

He Shifted His Perspective

“What turned it around for me was shifting my perspective on budgeting,” Collins said. “Instead of seeing it as a chore, I reframed it as a tool to help me achieve my financial goals and live the life I want. I started by keeping things simple and creating a budget that was flexible enough to

accommodate my lifestyle but still kept me accountable.”

How To Make It Work for You

“Budgeting is not about restriction; it’s a tool for empowerment,” said Keisha Blair, founder of the Institute on Holistic Wealth.

“Approach budgeting as a means to achieve holistic wealth balancing financial, emotional and physical well-being. Instead of seeing it as a constraint, view it as a pathway to a more fulfilled life.”

He Made Tracking Expenses a Habit

“One of the key elements of my budgeting system is tracking my expenses diligently,” said Collins. “I use budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB to easily categorize my spending and see where my money is going each month. This awareness has been crucial in helping me identify areas where I can cut back and save more.”

How To Make It Work for You

“Consider using budgeting apps or tools that automate tracking and categorization, reducing manual effort,” suggested Mark Stewart, in-house CPA for Step-By-Step Business. “Set aside time each month to review and adjust the budget based on actual spending, allowing for flexibility and adaptation.”

He Set Realistic Goals and Milestones

“Another aspect of my system is setting realistic goals and milestones,” Collins said. “Whether it’s saving for a vacation, paying off debt or building an emergency fund, having clear objectives keeps me motivated to stick to my budget. I break down these goals into smaller, manageable steps, which makes them feel more achievable.”

How To Make It Work for You

Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst for DealNews, said that developing a goal to save a certain amount by a certain date can keep you motivated and benefit your budget.

“Check on your earnings every week to see how much you’ve accomplished,” she said. “When you see how much you’ve been able to save towards your goal, it can make cutting back on extraneous expenses easier. It can also make it easier to stick to a budget and pay attention to your finances when you can see the results of your work.

“If you aren’t seeing the results of your budgeting, it becomes too easy to drop the habit. Regular

check-ins make it much easier to stick with any habit but particularly one related to finances.”

He Learned Budgeting Is About Progress — Not Perfection

“Finally, I’ve learned to be kind to myself throughout this process,” said Collins. “Budgeting isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. If I overspend in one category or veer off track occasionally, I don’t beat myself up about it. Instead, I use it as an opportunity to reassess and adjust my budget as needed.”

How To Make It Work for You

Ramhold said that you shouldn’t immediately dive into a budget and go all-out, because it can be intimidating.

“It’s much better to start with a slower approach that you know you can handle maybe that’s by creating a weekly budget and not going over,” Ramhold suggested. “Then, when you have that as a concrete habit, you can tweak that to doing a monthly budget and getting a bit more granular if you need to.

“In the beginning, you really just need to ensure that you’re starting small with your budget and learning about your spending. Once you start gathering more insight into your finances, you can adjust your budget and tweak different categories to find that sweet spot for your personal situation.”

Story by Cynthia Measom

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20 Athletes Recognized For Giving Back

Ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner P&G have chosen 20 athletes who will be honored in the latest edition of the Athletes for Good program, which awards grants worth USD 24,000 to charitable organizations supported by each athlete.

As the world counts down to the Games, these athletes from around the globe are not only dedicating themselves to training and preparation for one of the most meaningful events of their careers – their pursuit of greatness also extends beyond the field of play and out into their communities as they champion the causes they care about.

More than 100 athletes from around the world

applied for grant funding through the Athletes for Good program for Paris 2024, with the 20 recipients being selected based on several criteria, including their passion for and personal impact on their chosen charity partner.

The recipients represent 11 nationalities across 12 sports, including Olympic and Paralympic medalists, elite athletes, and Paris hopefuls, with each of their chosen charity partners receiving a USD 24,000 grant.

Recipients include US surfer Griffin Colapinto, who started supporting To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) – a non-profit that supports young people struggling with depression, addiction, suicidal ideation, and self-injury – after dealing with his mental health issues. The grant will provide 96 high schools with TWLOHA’s week-long mental health curriculum.

Three-time Olympian representing Great Britain in athletics Eilish McColgan will also receive a grant after founding Giving Back to Track – a non-profit

that supports young people to alleviate the financial burdens of competing in athletics. The grant will enable the expansion of its free after-school clubs and start a fund to source trainers for deserving athletes.

The recipients also include Italian Paralympic swimmer Carlotta Gilli, who joined forces with ToSwim, whose mission is to enhance swimming accessibility for the underserved and people with disabilities. This inspired her to become an ambassador for the company in 2019.

ToSwim is an integrated SuperApp that digitizes the world of swimming and creates a new experience for all swimmers by involving them in a community where they can communicate, inform, play, compete, and become active fans in competitions and aquatic events. The grant will allow ToSwim to install LED systems – which induce stimulation through sensory channels and facilitate the psychological, psychotherapeutic, and rehabilitative well-being of people with physical and or mental disabilities – in six pools, impacting 600 people per week per pool.

To highlight the philanthropic efforts of their chosen charity partners, P&G will tell the stories of the Athletes for Good recipients in the lead-up to Paris 2024 in local markets worldwide through brand partnerships, social media, and retail partner activations.

The Athletes for Good program is helping athletes give back to their communities around the world.

See full list of award recipients here.

Great Britain distance runner Eilish McColgan

Italian Paralympic swimmer Carlotta Gilli

CaitlinClarkis1of1

'We'veneverseenawomanplaylikethis'

Caitlin Clark is the best offensive player we've seen in women's college basketball in at least the past three decades. Her points total, while massive and now unmatched, only tells part of the story. While we've seen incredible scorers Lynette Woodard, Kelsey Plum, Maya Moore, Jackie Stiles, Brittney Griner we've NEVER seen a woman play like this.

The consistent range on the Iowa senior's shot, and her willingness to regularly pull up from deep, makes her different. This season, she has made 88 shots from 25 feet or beyond. In the past five years, the next highest single-season total by someone other than Clark is 51 (Indiana guard Sara Scalia in 2021-22), according to CBB Analytics. Defenders have to pick her up as soon as she crosses half court, or else she is within makeable range.

Steph Curry and Damian Lillard are the only other half-court threats who come to mind.

Clark's mere presence on the court manipulates individual and team defenses and creates better spacing for each of her teammates.

But it is her passing that elevates her above the other great scorers in the women's game. Her passing makes her not only the best scorer but also the best all-around offensive player.

Clark is the best "get-ahead" passer since Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi

Clark sees teammates running the floor and often launches a lead pass before they have even turned their heads to know it's coming. She is elite in the two-man game and elite reading defenses and knowing how to deliver a pass through the smallest window.

While we celebrate Clark as the leading scorer in the history of NCAA Division I basketball for

men and women after she passed Pete Maravich's mark Sunday, we can't ignore that she is also sixth all time in assists in the women's game. No other player is in the top 28 of both. (Career assist data, bizarrely, only includes the top 28 players. There's a chance no one else is in the top 65, where Sabrina Ionescu lands in scoring while fourth in assists.)

Clark is also the only basketball player in a major conference to lead it in scoring and assists in four consecutive seasons.

Finally, she is a great teammate. While she attempts the second-most field goals in the country her 22.6 attempts per game are behind USC freshman JuJu Watkins' 22.8 attempts she rarely forces shots. I have not seen her launch a deep 3 when a teammate is open for a better look. I have never seen a teammate slump-shouldered because Clark didn't pass her the ball when open. Does Clark sometimes look frustrated when a pass is mishandled? Yes, but you always get the sense she is frustrated with the play and not the player. And it is evident that her teammates love playing alongside her.

One of my favorite Clark moments of the season happened during Iowa's game with Michigan. It wasn't Clark's eight points in the first two minutes that gave her the women's NCAA scoring record. And it wasn't any of her subsequent 33 points or 13 assists.

It was a decision she made right before coming out of the game. With a minute to go in the game and Clark sitting at 49 points, she got the ball in transition and instead of coming down and trying to get the 50-piece, she sent a getahead pass to teammate Hannah Stuelke, who was fouled. Passing the ball was the right decision in that moment and Clark made the right not the selfish decision.

It's rare that someone comes along and changes how a sport is played. Clark has done that. Her scoring, coupled with her passing, make her the best offensive player I've seen in my 35 years playing and covering the women's college game.

Written By Rebecca Logo

2024 St. Patrick’s Classic

California St. Am. Championships

March 8-10, 7AM

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