Hit the Gym! Your Business With Thank You.
Hey Everyone,
Today, in my Motivation Monday video you will notice I am in my gym gear, about to head out for a workout. This got me thinking about something that I feel has been critical to my success, and sanity running online businesses for the last 22 years. Exercise!
You might wonder how these two are related, but the impact exercise can have on your business productivity, creativity, and overall mindset is big. I want to break down exactly why I think you should make exercise a part of your daily routine, especially if you’re building a business (outside of the obvious "health" reasons).
1. Increased Focus and Productivity
When you make time for regular exercise, you’ll notice a significant boost in your focus. This helps clear your mind and sharpens your ability to concentrate on your daily tasks, and more creativity based projects. Exercise increases blood flow to your brain, which can help you stay on point during your workday. Personally, I find that I’m much more productive after a workout, my energy is up and I’m ready to tackle tasks with often times a unique and fresh perspective.
My Personal Tip: If you hit a mental block or feel sluggish during the day, try a quick workout or even a brisk walk. It can give you the reset you need to power through your work.
2. Better Stress Management
One of the biggest benefits of exercise is its ability to help you manage stress. Running a business can be very stressful with the ups and downs, peaks and valleys and the sirens that go off it can feel like on a daily basis.
If you don’t have a way to release that tension, it can build up quickly. Exercise releases endorphins, your body's natural stress relievers, making you feel more relaxed and balanced.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, a workout can alleviate stress. I am the most stressed when I have taken a few days off my work out schedule and if I take a week off, I am totally flustered.
3. Boosted Energy Levels
When you exercise regularly, you’ll notice a big difference in your energy levels. Skipping workouts can leave you feeling like a slug. Your stamina and energy will improve drastically if you can keep up with a routine and this means MORE energy to sink into your business.
On weekdays when I skip exercise, I feel less energetic and less motivated (and I get way less done). But after a good workout, I’m ready to take anything on.
4. Enhanced Creativity and Problem Solving
Exercise isn’t just good for your body; it is a great tool to POWER UP your brain too. Some of my best ideas have come to me during cardio sessions when I had a magazine in hand (back in the old days), or if am reading on my phone (these days).
When you’re exercising, your brain gets more oxygen, which can spark creative thinking and new ideas. I often use my "cardio time" as a chance to brainstorm or read, and it’s amazing how many fresh concepts. Just make sure to have your "notes" on your phone open so you can record your ideas.
5. The Power of a Quick Reset
One of my favorite things about exercise is how it can act as a reset button for my day. If I’m feeling mentally fatigued or stuck in a rut, a quick workout can completely turn things around. I come back to my desk feeling refreshed, with a second wind to finish the day strong.
It doesn’t have to be a long session, even a 10-15 minute walk or a few bodyweight squats/push-ups can make a big difference. It’s all about getting your blood flowing and giving your mind a chance to recharge.
Start Your Week with a Healthy Habit
I want to challenge you this week: make time for a little bit of exercise every day. It doesn’t have to be intense or long; just get your body moving, and notice how it impacts your mood, energy, and productivity. You will see a positive shift, I know from experience.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Are you exercising with regularity, and have you seen the positive impacts of stress in your business, productivity, and lowered stress levels. Drop your comments below!
Recent Comments
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I use to be an athlete in high school and then an athlete again when I was diagnosed with GERD which resolved itself by getting stress levels down and losing some weight and now again trying to get into the swing of things.
It's funny because I'm on this mindset journey and I started doing things which were then validated by content from James Clear and Jim Kwik, which is my early morning routine.
Wake up and reflect on my dreams
Brush teeth with non dominant hand
10-20 burpees
Pace around and read a chapter
Make me a cup of coffee
Journal
....
This sets me up for my day... any extra exercise is extra and though I use to run x country in high school, looking forward to running a 5K in the next month or so. That's more than enough to prove to myself I'm still ok, not looking to run a marathon... yet.
So awesome David, I love that routine. Atomic Habits is a pretty cool concept, and I am actually in the process of trying to instil some level of "positive habit" in both of my girls as well, albeit subtle.
I have always had habits like this in my schedule, get up, brush teeth, drink a cup of water, and then jump into coffee. I start with brain warm up exercises like communicating with others and offering support, before I get into my thinking exercises or jumping on the phone with Carson to discuss projects that we are working on (or new concepts).
Exercise is always part of my day, and I usually do it when I am feeling fatigue to get another wind. I sometimes do this multiple times per day, and it works!
Love your schedule here and appreciate you sharing this! :)
Totally agree with you here Kyle!!
I hadn't hit the gym for nearly ten days before this morning (due to certain circumstances)
So... I had to get back into the routine!
But... after so long away... I pushed too hard and have done my bloody back in again!!
Now... I can barely walk properly!!
Let's hope I can sleep well (with copious amounts of painkillers) so I can return to the routine again tomorrow!
No pain... no gain!!
👍👍
Dang, that doesn't sound good. Don't push yourself, in particular when you have back issues.
If it is your lower back, stretch out your spine. I had pain so bad for many years in my lower spine that I couldn't even tie my shoes, so I had to do decompressions and they were a miracle. Pulling apart those lower spinal discs is important.
And don't do heavy deadlifts or squats, they will do compress your spine and create issues.
I hope you are on the mend soon buddy, I feel for you. I have dealt with back pain my entire life.
Oh yeah, and standing up while you work will help solve a lot of issues.
My dog and I walk about two hours daily, off-leash and off-road. As the walks led into increasingly rugged terrain, I had to up my game. The new Keenes came in a couple of days ago. They are comfortable, rugged out of the box, and game-changers. I recommend them.
These walks have improved my health, including my state of mind.
Love that Dave, dogs are a great way to naturally get exercise and it is a habit. If you don't walk your dog, you will hear about it! lol
Great to hear you have noticed the benefits of the walks, they are good for stress, your health, and for your business (and creativity).
I love to go for a nice walk, but it's kinda hard for me to do when it's cold and rainy like it is up here in the Pacific Northwest. Perhaps later today I can go into a store, and just walk around for a bit, and then do the same in another store, and just be a looky loo! I did do some minor weight lifting with a 8 and 10 pound barbells or dumb bells or whatever you call those things.
Yeah, you need a raincoat up this way. Get one, and get out. Your body and mind will thank you. :)
And doing one in a mall or inside is another good way to get it in, even some simple exercises like body weight squats or fitness with smaller weights will get the juices flowing.
Thanks for sharing Jon, and I hear you on the weather in the Northwest. Being in Victoria, we have had a very blustery and rainy fall thus far.
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About 5 weeks ago I started working with a trainer. My goal is to take a day hike by the end of next spring but I knew I was not physically able to do that. With that being said, I have noticed I have so much more energy. I now take the steps at work everywhere I go. I even will make it down to the gym in the basement of the hospital when I can, even if it’s just 15 minutes and it truly does help me stay less stressed.
So awesome to hear Letina, you are seeing this in action and you have the ability to compare your energy and stress levels to before. Even a little bit counts and will lead to a second wind, and of course the health benefits are obvious. ;)