This blog post is not going to be fluffy. I really do think healthy living can help grow your side business. But if you don’t believe me, believe billionaire Richard Branson. He’s been quoted as saying that exercise is his #1 productivity hack.
But I want to go deeper than just exercise.
The last 3-4 months I’ve been on a health kick to lose some weight and feel better. Not that I’m very overweight, but I should lose 15-20 pounds. Does that make me overweight? I don’t know, but what I’m saying is while I’m not obese, I’d like to feel and look better. So I’ve been making some small adjustments and this has been amplified since reading The Slight Edge.
For example:
- I use a stand-up desk at work and alternative between sitting and standing.
- I exercise 5 times per week even if it’s just kettlebell swings for 5 minutes.
- I eat the same easy and healthy lunch Monday through Friday (this).
- I don’t buy ice cream anymore on the weekends.
These are all pretty small changes in the grand scheme of things and I’m down about 7 pounds and feel really good. I decided to write this post because the health benefits I’m seeing/feeling are starting to benefit my side business.
Health Affects Everything
The bottom-line is that your health affects everything you do. When you’re living a healthy lifestyle with good habits, you have more energy…you feel better about yourself…you sleep better…less stress i.e. the silent killer…and you’re happier. This is all great for your day-to-day living and general health of course, but your side business benefits too!
Part of succeeding with your side business is pushing through the dips and obstacles that will happen over time…and finding some extra time outside of your day job to work on your biz. Do you think you’ll be more effective and efficient at both if you have more energy… if you’re happier…and you feel good? The answer is YES.
Some Ideas for you…
I tried to think of some ideas for you of small healthy habits you can form that would make a big positive difference in your life/health and side business because of the magic of compounding. I’m not saying do all of this…you can pick and choose. Maybe do just one…or a few combined…whatever works for you and your schedule.
I would love to hear from you in the comments if you have anything to add to this list!
- Read 10 pages of a business or self-improvement book every day
- Walk every day
- Do push ups every day
- Do kettle bell swings every day
- Eat less white flour
- Eat less sweets
- Eat a healthier breakfast and/or lunch every day
- Eat a small dinner every day
- When at work, alternate between standing and sitting
- Drink and smoke less
- Do yoga or stretch every day
- Drink a protein shake every morning (I use this)
- Start meditating
- Get an hour more of sleep every day
- Drink more water
The bottom line here is that nothing from the list above is especially difficult to do. Maybe a little annoying to do at first, but it won’t take long to form a habit. And once that habit is formed, it’s not difficult at all.
I had developed the awesome habit of eating a container of light ice cream every weekend. That adds up to an extra 1,300 calories every week. When I gave that up, it was very hard at first because I had created the habit of eating ice cream every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. But it’s been 2 months and now I don’t even think about it anymore.
Healthy habits snow ball too. I’m reading every day…exercising every day…eating better…and now I find myself making other healthy and positive decisions that aren’t part of my “plan”. The end result is I feel better and I have more energy which I’m funneling into my side business. You can do the same!
Wrapping Up
Better health equals better business. You can’t be unhealthy and be at the top of your game…or if you are, imagine what could be if you developed healthier habits? This is all probably stuff you already know, but have you taken action on it? Or have you taken action on it for an extended period of time? I’m hoping by me sharing my story and ideas, it will give you a reminder or jump start to re-evaluate your daily decisions.
Start off with small changes…let the magic of habits and compounding sink in…and you’ll be off to the races!
