Treating your body like it’s your business

If you own a business you understand the importance of paying attention. Business owners are always watching. Whether it be markets, culture, trends, budgets, employees, time clocks, competitors, we all have our eyes trained to spot anything on the horizon that might make or break us.

Ironically though, many of us pay minimal attention or even miss the thing that is sure to will effect us on a daily basis and will eventually, if left uncared for, will be the thing that most certainly will take us down. Let’s get down to basics…how are you paying attention to your body?

It’s kind of a funny question to be asking in terms of business. Seems more like a personal question, and of course it is. But how you treat your body will most definitely effect your business. Low energy, sick days, stomach issues, headaches and allergies are all things that will slow down your day and bring productivity to a screeching halt. While these can all be symptoms of bigger issues, many times they are directly related to the things we choose to consume during our days and, like choosing to take an inconvenient, slower route, are largely avoidable.

What you feed your body is a big determiner of how you are going to feel during your day. Eat like a teenager and you’ll be taking the same 4pm naps they do. Eat like an athlete in training and you’ll be surprised at the energy levels you sustain through the day.

Figuring out what a “good diet” actually looks like though, can be difficult to decipher especially when most of the food we encounter is covered in marketing. And marketing focused on weight loss at that. While many of us could spare a few pounds, weight loss should not be the only variable directing your food choices, because honestly who wants to be constantly thinking about their weight? It is exhausting and often leads to self deprivation.

What you eat should really be determined by what you hope to accomplish in your day and how well you want to feel while working to reach your goals.

Here are a couple things to consider when thinking through your diet.

What do I want to accomplish?
Look at your goals for the next week. Is how you are currently fueling your body going to give you the energy plus some to get these things done and done well? If the answer is not really or I don’t know it’s worth considering what a change in diet could actually do for you. The book The Corporate Athlete is a great resource for those in business looking to change their perspective on what they eat and how they treat their bodies. It also gives some insightful ideas on how the different foods can help calm nerves before an important meeting or make sure you feel rested after a long flight and help you walk into meets mentally sharp.

What will this cost me?
Just like your business, you should consider both immediate cost and future cost. Is paying a little extra for unprocessed food going to save you money on health costs down the line? Studies say yes. While it may be a bit of hit to your wallet today, the cash, energy and emotional strain you can save is probably worth the upfront cost.

A change in diet will cost more than just monetary expenses. It is a lifestyle decision that can be drastic or subtle but just like any it will require more intentionality and effort initially.

Figuring out what a “healthy diet” means for you can be a challenge as there are many companies out there advertising how their products are the solution to a healthy lifestyle.
The Corporate Athlete is a great read if you are serious about being more productive in your day.

If you are a person who really enjoys a challenge, check out The Human Performance Institute. In addition to helping athletes reach new levels of performance, they specialize in doing the same for business owners and C level individuals.

So how are you doing? If you treated your body like you do your business would there be a difference?