Canadian Marketing Blog

Heading to the gym helps maintain a productive attitude

And part of that responsibility is to STAY POSITIVE consistently – rain or shine. Managing your attitude is a very personal thing. However, for me, one of the most important factors to staying consistent in my professional life is maintain some form of regular exercise.

After years of working, I've learned what I call my 'productive attitude' and my energy levels are directly tied to exercise. I can be doing everything else right, but without regular exercise I can feel my attitude heading downward - all it takes is a few missed trips to the gym because I'm traveling on business. Like clockwork, I start to get anxious, let small things bother me and loose focus at work.

I’ve got a friend who is 45 but looks like he’s 25. I saw him the other day and said, “Ron, you look great.” He said, “I feel great! I got a second job.” I said, “A second job? I thought your agency business was doing well.” He said, “It is. My second job is on the treadmill from 6-7 every day. When I started looking at it as a second job, I showed up whether I wanted to or not!” He said, “The pay is lousy, but the benefits to my health and my attitude are always paying me back!”

For me, an hour of 'gym' time every day (whether I'm traveling or at home) helps me burn off stress and stay focused on my life goals.

Very true. I've been tracking my moods and productivity over the past few years, and exercise is definitely an active factor. There's a bit of a lag between resuming regular exercise and the performance boost, a HUGE hit if I overdo it (it takes about two weeks, but then I crash), and a big performance boost for 1-2 weeks if I STOP exercising, but that's followed by a catastrophic crash.

Not working at it too hard -- and I have a terrible tendency to want to compete with myself, keep getting better times, lifting more, etc. CONSTANTLY -- is as important as doing it consistently, in my growing experience.

Very true, Robert! I HATE exercising, and have to force myself into the gym for an hour on the treadmill. But I find once I get going, iPod on, I have a brainstorm session with myself and the ideas seem to flow much better. I feel pumped up and ready to go on projects.

So, as you say, this is just like an "hour at the office" and should be mandatory.

Cheers,
Twiter: johncarson

I have sloted my yoga class into my calendar as if it were a weekly meeting.

I almost never miss it - and it helps me to stay positive and have more 'aha!' moments which directly benefit my clients.

Oh so true. I also schedule in the gym time - so important to keep a positive attitude throughout the rest of the day. My business partner and I go at least 3 to 4 days during the work week and our Creative Director and a few of the Graphic Designers have even followed suit. It's a great outlet for stress and helps you get geared up for the second half of the day.

Good article!
Aleece