Do you spend most of your day sitting at your desk, dealing with the never-ending stream of paperwork and problems that come from running a business? Are you already fretting about tax time and filling in forms for the regulator?
Does a sense of guilt creep into the back of your mind when you’re away from the computer, even for a minute or two?
If you’re like most entrepreneurs or work-at-home business owners, the answer is probably yes. Which is a true virtue – Old Taskmaster believes there’s no greater moral character a person can hold than a strong work ethic.
However, the problem with this is that by not being lazy in terms of your business, you can find yourself neglecting the work you need to do to maintain your physical health.
Over the long term, a sedentary lifestyle – which includes sitting all day in an office chair – can see you develop a range of medical conditions including heart disease, type two diabetes, osteoporosis and some forms of cancer. Even in the short term, there’s a negative impact on physical fitness.
Of course, you’re liable to say that you just don’t have time to get out even for a little exercise. Well, Old Taskmaster says that’s just lazy talk!
That’s why you need to make a daily appointment to get at least 30 minutes exercise each day.
Even if you’re under the pump, there are ways to make it productive. After all, one of the great joys in life is walking while shouting at someone through a mobile phone. Especially if the person you’re shouting at isn’t working hard enough!
It doesn’t need to be anything too strenuous. Just 30 minutes spent walking each day is all you need. It’s also a great opportunity to think through that major project you’re about to start.
Once you get into the routine, you’ll probably find yourself back at your desk, working more productively than ever before.
So have you had your 30 minutes of exercise today?
If not, get it done – today!
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
