Productivity Conditioning
I was a competitive swimmer for over a decade and spent countless hours training in the pool. But, getting in the water and swimming was just one aspect of the training. For peak conditioning, we also did weight training, dry-land conditioning, physical therapy, nutrition and carbo-loading, visualizing and mental conditioning, rest and recovery – the list goes on and on.
Likewise, in business, great cross conditioning can turbocharge your productivity. There are loads of productivity strategies to help you do your work (I’m a fan of most of them). However, what you are doing outside of work (the good, bad and ugly) hugely impacts your productivity, be it positively or negatively.
Think of yourself as an entrepreneurial athlete. You’re ready to take on the world. Athletes can’t be at their best with bad eating habits, partying too much, or poor mental focus. Your overall conditioning is paramount to your performance.
So, in addition to working on your skills to help you work, you’ll want to cross train in your off-hours. This means taking time for self-care and maintenance to achieve optimal conditioning. You’ll see it pay dividends in energy, clarity of thinking, focus, and motivation at the office.
Here are some areas to take a look at for your own conditioning:
Physical Conditioning
- Getting enough sleep
- Staying hydrated
- A healthy, nourishing diet
- Regular exercise
- Alcohol in moderation or not at all
Emotional Conditioning
- Meaningful connections with family and friends
- Communing with nature
- Meditation
- Taking time for self-reflection
- Spiritual practices
Mental Conditioning
- Continuing education and learning
- Keeping a positive mindset
- Practicing gratitude
- Challenging yourself for growth
Looking at this list, you’ll probably have some areas of conditioning you do naturally and well. Pat yourself on the back and keep it up! For the areas that need improvement, start with just one. Choose one conditioning practice you believe will make the biggest, positive impact, and focus your efforts there.
As your conditioning improves, you’ll be bringing your best self everywhere you go. You’ll not only see the impact at work but in all areas of your life. This is the beauty of great conditioning.
