Put Your Health First and Everything Else Falls Into Place

This advice is from Lexie Smith, CEO and Founder, Growth Mode PR and Communications Agency, which helps grow businesses and brands. Here is inspiring career advice from Lexie that will inspire anyone, whether you’re starting a business, working freelance, or seeking success in your chosen career.

What advice would you give your younger self?

“Prioritize your health first and forever. My younger self could have never predicted the future burnout and health journey that propelled me into entrepreneurship. I was a 26-year-old VP at one of the fastest-growing companies in America and found myself being wheeled out of the office to the emergency room by a small group of coworkers after collapsing from a back injury.

“This was a breaking point for me that lead to months of doctors, rehabilitation, and recovery. It also led to me starting my own company ThePRBar inc., finding my professional soulmate and launching my second company, Ready Set Coach, and eventually, my third, Growth Mode PR & Communications Agency.

“And while I do believe my mistakes led me to where I am today, it’s a lesson I wish I’d learned sooner. Simply put, you can’t pour from an empty cup. No one will benefit when you fail to prioritize your mental and physical health – not your job, your family, your friends, or you.

“Every aspect of your life will see improvement when you do.”

You inspire women through your leadership and fearlessness. Who was your inspiration and why?

“Different people have inspired me in different ways throughout varying seasons of my life. My mother taught me to always lead with kindness. My father and sister were both entrepreneurs and showed me that taking risks can pay off. Being involved in year-round sports taught me the importance of dedication and teamwork … the list goes on.

“I’m inspired by those in my life who showed me how to take risks while fearing failure, how to push boundaries while supporting those around you, and how to set yourself up for success while acknowledging what got you there. I try to be like those I admire and hope to add to their legacy.”

What advice do you give to someone who says, “I could never do that”?

“One of my favorite quotes is by Henry Ford, who said, “Whether you think you can, or you can’t, you’re right.” I have a steadfast belief that if there is a will, there is a way, and that a person’s mindset is a full indicator of their success (or failures) to come. For someone who says “I could never do that!” I challenge them to reframe the thought instead to, “I don’t know how to do that, yet.” Retraining your mindset is the foundation of everything.”

How do you stay motivated to keep going once you’ve met your goals? (Your energy is contagious. We want to bottle that!)

Knowing and being deeply connected to my ‘Why.’

“At this point in life, my way is my family. I have always believed in the concept of working to live, not living to work. As I’ve gotten older and hit certain milestones – such as getting married, buying a house, having my first child, etc. – the reality that life costs money continues to get more real. 

“I now also have a small but mighty team that works for me. Ensuring I’m able to support them and their families is another motivator. 

“All this to say, I believe that when someone does reach their goals, it’s incredibly important to pause and celebrate. If we’re only ever striving for more, then we risk missing how far we’ve come.”

Do you have a mantra or words you live by that have helped you through tough times and kept you going? 

“Beyond the Henry Ford quote, there are a few additional mantras or words that have proved incredibly helpful for me. 

“The first is, ‘This too shall pass.’ I read a Pinterest quote once (Yes, I do love a good Pinterest quote) that said, “You have survived 100% of your worst days thus far.” That struck a cord with me, and are words I try to remind myself of in the face of adversity and challenges.  

“While easier said than done, I also find it empowering to remind myself that the only thing I can control is ME. It serves as a reminder that even when everything else seems to go wrong, I still have the ability to decide how I want to react or respond.”

Anything else we haven’t already asked—your secret to success or advice you love to share

“I am naturally a very reactive and emotional person. These traits have created a lot of positive effects in my life, but they have also presented many challenges. And in business, I have learned that rarely anything good comes from responding or reacting to challenges with immediate – sometimes triggered – emotions.

Follow Lexie here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexie-smith-pr/
• Twitter: @LexieSmithPR
• Instagram: @THEPRBAR_inc
• Website: Lexiesmith.net

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