Something on which the President and I agree
In a recent television interview, President Bush was asked what he thought of the excuse that people are too busy to exercise.
Bush said, "I don’t buy that. I think you set priorities in life, and if exercise is one of your priorities, then you do it."
I couldn’t agree more. In the conference at which I just chaired, I gave a three hour "bootcamp" on the last day about creativity. One of my solid rules for being more creative was simply to start exercising, and before any meeting or brainstorm where you have to be on, to make sure you exercise first. It chemically alters your brain to be more creative. (There are studies to back this up, I can find them later.)
It’s this simple: If you want to lose weight, get firm, tighten up, look hot in photographs, be creative, come up with new ideas, not kill your clients, be happier, smile more, beat ADD or ADHD, or just feel good about yourself in general, there is no substitute for working out. And if you don’t have the time, then you don’t want it bad enough.
A quote from Calvin Coolidge to start my day of packing, treking to the airport, and yes, working out at the Singapore Airport gym and pool! (Very psyched to try that.)
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." - Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)
5 Responses to “Something on which the President and I agree”
As it so happens, I’ve just finished off a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food Ice Cream before coming across this post.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s something you make time for till it becomes a routine, like brushing your teeth.
And it also means I can enjoy (more than) my fair share of ice cream without guilt
I started running, again, over 5 years ago and I am an infinitely happier, more energized person since then. This is one addiction I don’t ever intend to shake!
Before I had a kid, I would have agreed with you. Now, not so much… Yes, it’s all about priorities. I COULD leave my kid alone at home while I go exercise, but that’s not what I choose to do. And, uh, I could take time at work to go exercise, but I choose to keep my job. Hmmm…
Amen, Peter. I try (and fail) to work out daily and feel it when I don’t. My energy level is higher, my thinking process sharper and my general outlook on life more positive as a result of working out. You don’t have to be a top-notch athlete - I’m certainly not even close - but you do have to do it regularly.
Safe trip home!
“Almost anyone in this world can take the place of Calvin Coolidge in our national consciousness. Was he talented? Who knows? Genius, he left a silent legacy of silence. Education will not enlighten us to that legacy; the world is full of unread high school history textbooks. Only though persistence and determination can one figure out what he did, but he sure left us a nice quote about trying hard.”