“As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task.”

– Diogenes, Greek philosopher 4th century BCE.

Self-preservation is often something we address after the fact. Who has time for self-preservation when schedules need to be met, deals conquered, money to be made, people to meet and places to go? The aftermath…a potential “bloodbath”, after you’ve been beaten up by years of the same constant battle. For the executive, self-preservation can often be that elusive block or parry from the oncoming attack…until it’s too late. You turn around, your spouse has made off with your loot and you’ve aged 50 years, in the space of 2. This too often is the life of the formidable warrior. You’re driven and you’ve built a small empire…a few extra pounds around the mid-section, sleep apnea and chronic fatigue. Sure, success is a great place to be, but at what cost? Keep moving in this direction and you’ll find yourself 20 pounds over the limit with dark, heavy periorbital puffiness, or bags under your eyes (the weight of time). 

It should be natural instinct to protect yourself, you do so in business all the time. You’re a giant in planning, organizing, assessing, creating and completing the deal… What you might not be so good at is preserving your own health. This is where I step in and hold you accountable. I’m aware that some of you play squash or shoot hoops twice a week, golf when you can, or run on the odd occasion, though this doesn’t cut it. Sitting on your butt for endless hours a day, in front of your screen, in meetings, screaming at or being frustrated with incompetents is not preservation, and physiologically…it’s not even smart. Professionally, you’re a doer. This is what keeps you going, motivated, driven and thriving for more. Under this constant bombardment your building will shudder, as the foundation isn’t solid enough to support the momentum.

Recommendations:

• Make one monumental decision to have a day off this month. Do whatever it is that you’ve always wanted to do, just don’t break anything.
• Imagine a critical meeting and you are only half attending. When you schedule your 45-60 minutes of daily exercise apply yourself as if you are going in for the kill in the all important meeting, i.e. give it your all, without overtly hurting yourself.
• 1 gallon of water a day is the recommendation, though not the rule. Our bodies vary, as do the rules for water consumption. Think and act hydration…it will keep your cells alive.
• Pre-empt fatigue through self-preservation. It will offset the price of plastic surgery.

I’m both your good friend and ardent enemy…I’ll instruct you and take you to task. This is my passion and mission in life; yours is not simply to endure, it’s to preserve your pace, energy and momentum and come out on top…every step of the way.

Live Healthy; Live Longer