Steven Bartlett on Prioritizing Health as Life’s Foundational Pillar

In a recent LinkedIn post, Steven Bartlett explores the critical importance of health as the foundational element upon which all other aspects of life are built. The entrepreneur and media personality argues that by reframing health as a non-negotiable priority, individuals can achieve sustainable well-being and success.

Health as the Primary Foundation

Bartlett begins by establishing a clear hierarchy of personal priorities, placing health at the very base. He states, “my health is foundation number one, my dog, my girlfriend, my businesses, my money – all of it sits on top of this table called my health. If you remove my health, I lose everything.” This analogy underscores his belief that without robust health, everything else becomes precarious and ultimately unsustainable.

He further questions the common approach to fitness goals, particularly those tied to seasonal outcomes or aesthetic achievements. Bartlett points out the inherent flaw in setting goals like “get fit for summer, specifically get a six-pack for summer.” According to him, this approach leads to a predictable loss of motivation once the immediate goal is met or the season ends.

“So what happens when you get a six-pack or summer ends? Your drive is gone. Your motivation, your reason vanishes.”

Shifting to Consistency Over Completion

To overcome this cycle of motivation loss, Bartlett advocates for a fundamental shift in goal-setting related to health and fitness. Instead of aiming for a specific, completable outcome, he proposes focusing on consistency. This, he explains, is anchored to the deeper understanding of health as the primary foundation.

As Bartlett notes, the goal should be continuous engagement rather than a finish line. “My goal is consistency and it’s anchored to this belief that my health is the first foundation of my life.” This perspective transforms the daily commitment to health from a chore driven by external validation to an essential practice for maintaining overall life stability.

The Practice of Unwavering Commitment

This reframed objective of consistency has led Bartlett to a rigorous daily practice. He reveals that for the past two and a half years, he has consistently engaged in physical activity, emphasizing the regularity over the duration or intensity of each session.

“So, for the last 2.5 years, I literally go to the gym seven days a week. Sometimes, just for 20 minutes, sometimes for two hours. But I NEVER miss it.”

Bartlett concludes by reiterating the paramount importance of this commitment. “It’s priority number one,” he asserts, highlighting that making health the number one priority in all decision-making was the key to finally achieving a sustainable and consistent approach to well-being.