Improve Productivity: Go For A Run

{{{Up|Improve}}} {{{|Your}}} Productivity: Go {{{Running|For A Run}}}

Here's the key to having a clear mind and operating your business effectively: look after your body.

More specifically, what you should try to do as often as possible is 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 go home and everyone seemed to be faster than you. But that was then, this is now! I hated running when I was younger, too.

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 justtoo many distractions. Email coming in. Spam to grumble over and delete. Telephone calls from advertising salespeople. Coffee to make. Chocolate to eat. There’s never a chance to step back and look at things objectively.

But that's what you get with running. 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 jiggled together and solutions come to you as if by magic. I can be a bit dense sometimes, so it took time for me to realise this, but when I stopped to think about it the other day I had to admit to myself that almost without exception, the best and most effective ideas I’ve had for how to run 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 dumbly back at you, there’s just no way you can think of new and creative answers. You need to get some fresh air.

When I did the London Marathon two years ago, although I enjoyed training with running partners in the months before the race, I was always tied to their pace and had to, well, make conversation! You’re running with friends, so you can’t just clam up for two hours, right? I didn't have any time to switch off. I run alone now and it’s better, much though I may sometimes 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 doing their own thing I can drift away and think about things. For me, being able to run at my own pace is very important.

That’s also why I don’t listen to music any more when I’m hitting the streets. Why? Because when you run to music 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.

So what do you think? Will you have a go for me? Running’s cheap, you know. Don’t need to pay out for gym classes, personal trainers or exercise equipment. Just get yourself a decent 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. Don't worry about your speed, because the only one you’re racing against is yourself. And you’ll never find time to do new things; you have to make the time.

A tip before and after your run (very important): S-T-R-E-T-C-H your legs. It’ll significantly lower the risk of injury. Try to lean over and touch your toes while keeping your legs straight. It'll be tricky at first, but you'll get there.

Oh, and one final thing. I’m not a qualified health professional -- can’t you tell? -- so I probably shouldn't be saying this, but one big and often unstated benefit of running for sweetaholics like me is this: it burns off the calories like you wouldn’t believe. You can then, if you so choose, replace those missing calories with chocolate... cake... whatever you like!

So what are you waiting for?

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com