In business, the appeal of overnight success similarly drives entrepreneurs to turn to quick fixes to avoid feeling like failures. A survey of 300 companies showed that while 87% of managers see the value in long-term vision, they still prioritise short-term strategies for annual bonuses.

Here’s how combining a wellness mindset with business strategies helped me shift from chasing immediate gains to embracing a long-term approach – and how you can do the same.

The pitfall of short-term thinking

Short-term thinking is rooted in our survival instincts: think of a hunter-gatherer who finds berries and eats them all on the spot, ignoring potential stomach discomfort later.

Because of this same instinct, entrepreneurs often don’t pause to think about the possible ripple effect of their decisions. Short-term wins are undoubtedly tempting, but they often fail to support sustainable growth. Similarly, quick fixes in weight loss or muscle gain overlook the reality that true transformation requires time and dedication.

Look back at the Wells Fargo scandal, where the pressure to meet unrealistic sales goals led employees to create fake bank accounts. The fallout? Multi-million dollar lawsuits and serious reputational damage. Obviously, not every company will turn to fraud, but this example clearly shows how extreme the consequences of short-termism can be.

The synergy of business and wellness mindsets

BetterMe started from my own struggles with body image. My journey involved everything from restrictive diets to skipping meals and overexercising. I wanted to lose weight right here, right now – something many can relate to.

Recent obesity treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics include weight-loss medications, showing just how much we as a society crave instant results. While these medications can be lifesaving for severe cases, normalising their rampant use instead of encouraging lifestyle changes could lead us down a risky path.

Simply put, drastic weight loss isn't sustainable. Instead of achieving lasting results, I ended up trapped in the merry-go-round of weight fluctuations. Real change only came from slowly building healthy habits into my daily life.

This journey also reshaped how I think about business. Just like the cycle of overeating and overexercising fails in healthy weight management, a non-stop ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality doesn’t work for growing a business. You need to develop a strategic approach that focuses on long-term goals and then follow it slowly and steadily.

Ultimately, whether achieving goals on the scale or in the boardroom, true and lasting success doesn’t happen overnight – it builds gradually through consistent effort.

How to embrace long haul

1. Set clear long-term goals and move towards them in small steps. Practicing yoga helped me appreciate small wins in business. You can’t do a headstand or a front split right from the start. Big wins come from patience and progression, starting with simple asanas or simple tasks
2. Adapt, but stay the course. If something doesn't work out, it doesn't necessarily mean your goal is invalid. It's similar to finding the sport you feel comfortable with; it takes trial and error. I experimented with various sports before falling in love with golf, tennis, and Pilates. Each unsuccessful attempt was a stepping stone to finding what resonated with me and kept me moving my body for health
3. Cultivate self-discipline. Establishing a daily routine really supports my mental and physical health while leading a company. My mornings start early with exercise, followed by work. I make sure to take short breaks for breathing exercises or meditation. Afternoons are for meetings with my team, and I often wind down with an evening Pilates class. This structured day keeps me focused and disciplined
4. Remove distractions. Great goals alone aren't enough if you struggle to maintain long-term focus. Practices like yoga, meditation, pranayama, and Ayurveda have helped me develop a deeper mind-body connection that keeps my mind focused and clear
5. Foster self-awareness and reflection. Personally, I use my social media as a public diary to document and share my journey. Experiment with different methods, like journaling or mind-mapping, to discover what best helps you track and reflect on your progress

Key takeaway

In both weight loss and business, sustaining success boils down to adopting a balanced, long-term mindset. I won't say overnight success is entirely out of reach – it's possible, but more often than not, it leaves you feeling overwhelmed and lacking the solid foundation of gradual growth and experience needed to maintain those results. Instead, focusing on holistic strategies that prioritise steady progress through small daily steps can bolster resilience and help you embrace the long haul.