IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY: GO FOR A RUN
One of the most important keys to having a clear mind and operating your business effectively is this: don’t neglect your body.
More specifically, this is what you could try doing as often as possible: go for a run.
I know, I know. You’ve always hated running. You’re reminded of those cold, miserable physical education lessons at school when it was always raining and you got a stitch and you just wanted to give up and everyone seemed faster than you. But that was then, this is now.
I hated running when I was younger. I love running now, and that’s not just because I’m worried about not training enough and collapsing ten minutes after the start of my next marathon. Aside from the health benefits, it’s the only time during the day when I’m completely free to think about what I want.
During the day, there are too many distractions. Email coming in. Spam to grumble over and delete. Telephone calls from people offering advertising. Coffee to make. Chocolate to eat. Dogs to walk. There’s just no chance to step back and look at things from a distance.
Running gives you that. I don’t know what the actual physiological effect on the brain of all that bobbing up and down is, but it’s almost as if the stuff you carry around in your head gets bounced together and solutions come to you as if by magic. I’m sometimes a bit dense, so it took time for me to realise, but when I stopped to think about it recently I had to admit to myself that almost without exception, the best and most effective ideas I’ve had for my business (and not just business; ideas for how to run my life) have come while I’ve been running. When you’re stuck in the office staring at the mouse cursor blinking accusingly back at you, there’s just no way you can come up with new and creative answers. You need to get out.
When I did the London Marathon for the first time, although I enjoyed training with running partners in the months before the race I was always tied to their pace and had to... had to talk to them! You’re running with friends, so you can’t just clam up for two hours, right? It didn’t give me time to switch off. I run alone now and it’s better, much though I may occasionally miss the company. I can go at my own pace, don’t have to concentrate too much on the outside world other than avoiding being run over, and while the legs are taking care of themselves I can drift away and think about things. I find that being able to run at my own pace is very important.
That’s also why I don’t listen to music when I’m running. You’re forced to listen to the songs and subconsciously trapped into adjusting your pace to the beat of what you’re listening to. I always find myself going slightly mad when I can’t quite run quickly enough for the song I’m listening to. So no more music. Besides, it’s dangerous to not be able to hear what’s going on around you.
What do you think? Will you give it a try? Running’s cheap, you know. Don’t need to pay out for gym classes, personal trainers or exercise equipment. Just get yourself a pair of running shoes from a reputable shop and you’re set.
You’re too old, you say? Too overweight? Not enough time in the day? Believe me, it’s never too late. Slow is absolutely fine, because the only one you’re racing against is yourself. And you’ll never find time to do new things; you have to make it.
Tip before and after your run (very important): S-T-R-E-T-C-H your legs. It’ll dramatically lower the risk of injury. Oh, and no heel striking.
One final thing. I’m not a qualified health professional — can’t you tell? — so saying this probably isn’t a good thing, but one big benefit of running for sweetaholics like me is this: it burns off the calories like you wouldn’t believe, and I can replace those missing calories with as much chocolate as I like. What are you waiting for?!
You’re very welcome to reprint any of these articles on your website and/or newsletters free of charge, provided:
Daniel O'Connor is a website, SEO and marketing copywriter using the name Daniboy. He can be contacted here. Visit http://www.daniboy.com for further details of his services.
More specifically, this is what you could try doing as often as possible: go for a run.
I know, I know. You’ve always hated running. You’re reminded of those cold, miserable physical education lessons at school when it was always raining and you got a stitch and you just wanted to give up and everyone seemed faster than you. But that was then, this is now.
I hated running when I was younger. I love running now, and that’s not just because I’m worried about not training enough and collapsing ten minutes after the start of my next marathon. Aside from the health benefits, it’s the only time during the day when I’m completely free to think about what I want.
During the day, there are too many distractions. Email coming in. Spam to grumble over and delete. Telephone calls from people offering advertising. Coffee to make. Chocolate to eat. Dogs to walk. There’s just no chance to step back and look at things from a distance.
Running gives you that. I don’t know what the actual physiological effect on the brain of all that bobbing up and down is, but it’s almost as if the stuff you carry around in your head gets bounced together and solutions come to you as if by magic. I’m sometimes a bit dense, so it took time for me to realise, but when I stopped to think about it recently I had to admit to myself that almost without exception, the best and most effective ideas I’ve had for my business (and not just business; ideas for how to run my life) have come while I’ve been running. When you’re stuck in the office staring at the mouse cursor blinking accusingly back at you, there’s just no way you can come up with new and creative answers. You need to get out.
When I did the London Marathon for the first time, although I enjoyed training with running partners in the months before the race I was always tied to their pace and had to... had to talk to them! You’re running with friends, so you can’t just clam up for two hours, right? It didn’t give me time to switch off. I run alone now and it’s better, much though I may occasionally miss the company. I can go at my own pace, don’t have to concentrate too much on the outside world other than avoiding being run over, and while the legs are taking care of themselves I can drift away and think about things. I find that being able to run at my own pace is very important.
That’s also why I don’t listen to music when I’m running. You’re forced to listen to the songs and subconsciously trapped into adjusting your pace to the beat of what you’re listening to. I always find myself going slightly mad when I can’t quite run quickly enough for the song I’m listening to. So no more music. Besides, it’s dangerous to not be able to hear what’s going on around you.
What do you think? Will you give it a try? Running’s cheap, you know. Don’t need to pay out for gym classes, personal trainers or exercise equipment. Just get yourself a pair of running shoes from a reputable shop and you’re set.
You’re too old, you say? Too overweight? Not enough time in the day? Believe me, it’s never too late. Slow is absolutely fine, because the only one you’re racing against is yourself. And you’ll never find time to do new things; you have to make it.
Tip before and after your run (very important): S-T-R-E-T-C-H your legs. It’ll dramatically lower the risk of injury. Oh, and no heel striking.
One final thing. I’m not a qualified health professional — can’t you tell? — so saying this probably isn’t a good thing, but one big benefit of running for sweetaholics like me is this: it burns off the calories like you wouldn’t believe, and I can replace those missing calories with as much chocolate as I like. What are you waiting for?!
You’re very welcome to reprint any of these articles on your website and/or newsletters free of charge, provided:
- you don’t change the article in any way
- you include the writing credit below (including all website links)
Daniel O'Connor is a website, SEO and marketing copywriter using the name Daniboy. He can be contacted here. Visit http://www.daniboy.com for further details of his services.
