In this heartfelt episode of "Your Best Year Starts Here," Neil Martin and Nigel Risner delve into a critical aspect of professional and personal life: the imperative of self-care and its direct impact on our performance. Join us as we navigate through Nigel's personal anecdote about confronting his limitations and the profound lessons it unfolds for all of us.

• Nigel's Candid Experience: Nigel opens up about his recent struggle with low iron levels, necessitating iron infusions, and how this physical ailment significantly impacted his professional obligations. Despite feeling unwell, he proceeded with a scheduled presentation, which, while well-received, was not up to his usual standard.

• The Interplay of Health and Performance: The episode underscores the often overlooked connection between our physical well-being and our professional output. Nigel's story illustrates how health issues can subtly undermine our capabilities, affecting the energy and quality we bring to our work.

• Acknowledging and Acting on Limitations: A pivotal takeaway from Nigel's experience is the courage it takes to acknowledge when we are not at our best and the wisdom in taking necessary steps to address it, even if it means rescheduling important commitments.

• The Ripple Effect of Compromised Performance: Nigel's reflection on his decision to push through his commitments serves as a reminder of the broader implications of not being in top form. It's not just about individual performance but also about how our state affects those around us, including colleagues, clients, and in Nigel's case, his audience.

• Self-Care as a Priority: This episode serves as a poignant reminder that taking care of oneself is not just a personal necessity but a professional responsibility. Ignoring early warning signs of fatigue or illness can lead to diminished quality of work and potentially more significant consequences.

• A Universal Lesson: While Nigel's story is rooted in his experiences as a speaker, the underlying message resonates across all professions. Recognizing and respecting our physical and mental limits is crucial, irrespective of our field of work.

As we wrap up this episode, we are reminded of the critical balance between pushing through challenges and recognizing when to step back for our well-being. Let this episode be a reminder to listen to our bodies, prioritize self-care, and ensure that we are always performing at our best, not just for ourselves but for everyone around us.