Main Idea
Does the word “Conditioning” ever come up in connection with doing your job? Is this something that you used to do when you played high school sports? Should it be used in connection with business?
Expansion of Idea
One of my clients was talking about putting a gym in his business the other day. While this may have been in jest, it actually is good business. Dupont reported a 47.5% reduction in absenteeism over a six-year period for employees in a corporate fitness program. There was a study in the journal, Ergonomics, that concluded that mental performance was better for people who are fit. They committed 27% fewer errors than those who are not fit.
This idea of conditioning goes beyond just physical conditioning. We also need to focus on mental and moral conditioning. This is especially true for the leaders but is also critical for team members. We need to make sure that we have balance in our lives. We need to take rests. We need to take time off from work and focus on play. The moral conditioning comes into play with making wise choices. How many young professional athletes are in great physical condition and are at the top of their game and then do something stupid at 1am that costs them their careers or maybe even their lives? At a less extreme level, we may go out at night during the work week and we do not get the sleep that we need. All of this is part of making sure that we are in a good condition to succeed at work. Ultimately, success is a choice. We can prepare for success or we can decide it is not important.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Am I physically fit?
If not, can I start going for walks instead of watching TV?
Am I tired all of the time?
Do I eat a healthy diet?
Do I schedule time off and vacations?
Am I making wise choices in my off hours?