Feedback: Lessons from Fitness, applied to Work

In the gym, feedback is constant.

It’s in the soreness you feel the next morning, the way your breath shortens halfway through a set, the numbers you see on your watch, the lift that suddenly feels smoother this week than it did last. Your body is always speaking. The greater question is: are you paying attention?

That’s how we make progress in training.

Not by copying someone else’s workout.

Not by blindly pushing harder every single time.

But by tuning in. Adjusting. Responding.

That’s how we build strength.

That’s how we stay injury-free.

That’s how we create lasting change.

So, here’s some food for thought:

If feedback is the key to transformation in fitness, can we apply these learnings in our work lives?

Most people think growth at work comes from doing more, learning more, being more productive, saying yes more often. While all of that is (arguably) true, effort alone is not what creates excellence. Effort without reflection is just movement. And movement without direction isn’t growth, it’s plain noise.

In fitness, if your knees are caving during squats, you don’t just push through, you fix your form. You use feedback to adapt.

Similarly, at work, if you are burning out, missing deadlines, or feeling stuck, those are signals. Your system is telling you something. All you need to do is listen.

But more often than not, we override that feedback in the name of being “resilient” or “driven.”

Again, the question remains: are you paying attention?

Here's what I’ve learned as a coach and a professional:

Whether it’s your body or your calendar, feedback is the only real way to improve.

Your body tells you when to push, and when to pull back.

Your mind tells you when you’re distracted, disengaged, or aligned.

Your team tells you what’s working and what’s not, sometimes explicitly, often subtly.

Your energy levels tell you whether your schedule is sustainable or not.

But none of that matters if you aren’t paying attention.

Feedback doesn’t have to be formal

In both training and work, the best feedback isn’t always a spreadsheet or a review.

Sometimes, it’s in how you feel or what you are avoiding.

Sometimes, it’s in what drains you or what energizes you.

Sometimes, it’s in the patterns you repeat without realizing it.

The job of a good coach is to help clients notice that feedback loop.

The job of a good leader? The same.

The faster you notice feedback and act on it, the faster you improve.

Growth doesn’t come from ignoring feedback.

It comes from honouring it.

In my experience, I’ve seen this truth unfold time and again:

• Clients who listen to their bodies and adjust accordingly avoid injuries and stay consistent.
• Leaders who listen to their teams and adapt their approach, build trust and better results.
• Professionals who reflect on their energy, not just their task list, avoid burnout and perform at their best.

Feedback is everywhere, but it’s quiet. 

You need to slow down to hear it.

And be brave enough to act on what you find.

Final thoughts 

So here’s my invitation to you:

Today, tune into the feedback that’s already showing up.

In your body.

In your routine.

In your emotions.

In your conversations.

And don’t wait for a crisis to force a change.

That would be too late.

Progress is not about being perfect. It’s about being aware.