Take a Hike
Or a jog, swim, or bike ride.
When we think of secrets to business success, we generally include
things like vision, perseverance, creativity, and so on. I want you
to add physical health to the list.
Working with business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals in
my coaching practice, I have the opportunity to observe many successful
business people. With few exceptions, those who are consistently successful
have lots of energy.
They have the stamina and the energy to be creative, to tirelessly
serve their clients, to put in the extra effort when necessary and
to go the extra mile. They don't work non-stop all the time, but they
have the reserve of energy to turn it on when they need it.
Where does that energy come from? Most of these successful entrepreneurs
exercise regularly. They walk, run, bicycle or swim. They work out
at the gym or they do their exercises at home. They know that regular
exercise builds up strength and endurance.
Special Note: Before we go further with this, remember to see your doctor before
you start on an exercise program. Get a checkup and discuss your exercise
requirements with your physician.
How do you get started? First, decide what part of the day would be
best for you. Are you a morning person? If so, get up a half hour
earlier and get your exercise then. If you're a zombie in the morning,
a workout will flood your brain with creativity-generating oxygen.
In other words, it will wake you up; big time.
There are not many things more stimulating than getting out in the
early morning for your exercise. Cool air, birds singing, the fresh
smell of flowers and the morning sun, all ready for you. While you're
jogging, walking or biking, you can daydream. You can plan your day.
You can just enjoy the experience that most ordinary people miss.
Give it a go if you're not sure.
Some people prefer to workout at mid-day. This has a couple of terrific
advantages for you. For one, a workout and a shower makes it seem
like you're starting fresh for the afternoon. Also, a brisk walk or
run will elevate your metabolism, so when you grab a bite of lunch,
your body will burn it off more quickly. Use your mid-day workouts
to reduce the stress of the workday.
Perhaps you prefer to take your exercise at the end of the day. Either
after work or even after dinner can be excellent times to work out.
If you choose to exercise after dinner, be sure to wait for your dinner
to settle for at least an hour. Working out at the end of the day
has the advantage of being something for you to look forward to as
you move through your work day. Also, an end-of-day workout will likely
help you stay more alert in the evening, instead of dropping off during
the sitcoms.
What kind of exercise should you do? This is really a matter of preference.
As long as your workout elevates your heart rate for at least 30 minutes,
you'll get a good aerobic workout (good for the heart and lungs).
For this type of exercise, try running, brisk walking, bicycling,
handball, jazzercise and so on. An ideal combination is to mix aerobic
exercise (usually strenuous, like running or swimming laps) with anaerobic
exercise (strength-building). For this type of workout, try weight-lifting,
stretching, calisthenics, or Aikido.
My personal favorite is running. I've been running for over thirty
years. While it has kept me relatively fit, I see my miles of running
as primarily a mental-health exercise. By running, I have reduced
stress, slept better, been more creative and boosted my confidence
and self-esteem. By combining the running with workouts at the gym,
I have been able to stay fit in only a few hours a week.
Wait a minute! Where are you going to find the time to exercise? Where
do you fit your workouts into your schedule? The time is not going
to magically appear. You'll need to "steal" the time from other places.
Get up a half-hour earlier, shorten those two-hour lunches, head for
home 30 minutes earlier or watch one less television program.
The bottom line is that regular, strenuous exercise is good for business,
because it's good for you. You can increase your well-being, jump-start
your days, boost your confidence, turbocharge your creativity, and
knock down stress by exercising consistently.
And that's not all. Think of exercise as your gift to yourself and
to your loved ones. A gift of longer life, more energy, happier disposition,
increased creativity and reduced pain.
Take a hike!
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reserved. No duplication
About the Author...
Gary Lockwood is Increasing the Effectiveness and Enhancing the
Lives of CEOs, business owners and professionals.
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