If someone told you that you could make yourself and your organization more competitive in business by increasing your fitness level how would you respond?

Organizations routinely state that their people are their greatest asset, often going so far as to call their workforce a competitive advantage.  If that statement is true (and I believe it is in our company) then maximizing the capacity of these great assets further increases this competitive advantage.  I recently listened to an interview with Tony Schwartz, President and CEO of an organization called The Energy Project, where he stated that our ability to increase our capacity is “the greatest potential source of competitive advantage that an individual or organization has in the next decade”.  He went on to say that “capacity” is inside us, and the key to unlocking our potential is to increase our energy levels. 

So how does one increase his or her energy level?  In addition to making good lifestyle choices such as eating right and getting enough sleep, our energy level is directly tied to our fitness level.  I know, this is a stunning revelation, right?  However, something is not working in the way we balance our lives today.  For a world that is innovating and advancing faster than ever before, we are headed in the opposite direction when it comes to our physical fitness and well-being.  According to Harvard University the global obesity rate has doubled in the last 28 years.  During that same period of time Body Mass Index (BMI) rose the fastest in the US, where two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese.  

So what needs to change?  Put yourself first.  Schedule time to train.  As kids, we didn't have to think about "getting back into shape." Physical activity was simply part of our daily lives.  With today’s busy schedules at work and at home, it’s easy to say “I don’t have time.” This is a cop-out.  Commit to some form of exercise that gets your heart rate up for 30 minutes a day and you will get the rest of the day’s activities done in 30 minutes less time.  Granted, this is easier said than done.  It will take effort and discipline, but you, alone have the ability to set your agenda for the day.

Still feel like your personal health and fitness will always come second to your responsibilities at the office? 

Here are 4 career related reasons why you might care about increasing your fitness level:

• It will make you smarter. In addition to raising our metabolism, exercise also helps to grow new nerve cells and prevent memory decline.  Physical exertion increases blood flow to the brain and therefore the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to your brain.  This increases your ability to think, focus and manage stress.
• Image matters. Yes this sounds vane, but like it or not, appearances matter.  I’m not referring to physical beauty here.  Our business, like many businesses, is a people business.  Being physically fit increases your confidence and affects the way you carry yourself in front of others.  Every one of us has the ability to maximize our potential in this area.
• It’s your leadership obligation. How you feel influences others.  Energy is contagious.  Whether you are a manager or an individual contributor you have an obligation to give your team the best you have to offer and set the example for balanced, peak performance.  One of our past Presidents and current board members works out religiously six days per week.  Couple this trait with his business acumen and leadership ability and it’s incredibly inspiring.  I want to follow someone who is balanced in all facets of their life.
• You’ll actually be around long enough (and healthy enough) to enjoy the fruits of your labor. It’s ironic that we spend most of our adult life working to build our wealth, and then in retirement we spend a good chunk of our wealth working to restore our health.  That’s messed up.  Is this the end we had in mind? I was never an elite athlete and there will never be a world record with my name by it.  Like many, I wrestle with balancing all that comes at me in life and some days I feel more in control than others. What I do know, is that I perform at another level when fitness is part of my day.  In recent years I have also come to realize that being physically fit is a lifestyle choice.  It’s not a project or diet. There is no finish line. Taking care of yourself needs to be a thoughtless habit – like brushing your teeth.

If you are already physically fit and operating at peak performance please share your advice or tips on what’s working for you. 

If you’re not where you want to be then here’s a suggestion: find a partner and commit to a challenge together.  Something big enough that it will leave a pit in your stomach - preferably an event that has a fixed date.   I recently discovered the benefits of running because a friend challenged me to run Hood-To-Coast with him.  I am not a runner (or at least I wasn’t then).  To be quite honest, we were at a social event when he laid down the challenge.  Having consumed a little liquid courage that evening, I, of course said yes (I’m pretty sure this was part of his strategy).  The next morning he sent me a text message to remind me that I committed to running with him.  Not one to back down from a commitment, I did the only thing I could do – I scheduled time to train.

“The key is not the will to win … everybody has that.  It is the will to prepare to win that is important.”

– Bobby Knight