Over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about the connection points between taking care of my business and taking care of myself. As a leader, it’s difficult, maybe impossible, to separate your own life from the success of your company. A person who stays up all night watching Netflix and eating fast food isn’t going to be in fighting shape when they enter the boardroom the next day. But this isn’t an argument against fast food or late night movies, it’s an argument for yourself.
Muhammed Ali once said, “I hate every minute of training. But I said, don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” Most of us aren’t training to become champion boxers, but we know that when we put in the work to take care of our bodies we also experience a positive impact on our minds. And a healthy mind translates into our work, our relationships, and so on.
Research shows that regular exercise has a positive and dramatic effect on our brains. Whether you’re running, lifting weights, or riding your bike doesn’t matter. The excess oxygen you’re taking in enables your brain to create more neurons and expand the parts of your brain that control memory and thought. The time you spend building the muscles in your body literally builds your brain. As business leaders, our brains are the most powerful tool we have, and exercise is the way that we hone that tool for our benefit.
I’m not a fitness expert or a coach and I’m certainly not a physician. So feel free to take my word with a grain of salt. But before you give up on the idea of exercise as a tool for success, go for a walk. That’s right, put on some shoes and go for a walk and when you get back take note of how you feel in your body and in your mind. I think you’ll find that even a short walk can clear your mind, lower your anxiety, and make you feel better. Imagine how much you’d benefit from working out on a regular basis.
As a leader in my family, in my community, and in my business I know that I have lots of people depending on me to show up every day as best as I can. That’s why I commit to exercising regularly. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your company is to step out of the office and prioritize your own health.
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