Healthy Life, Healthy Sales
Healthy sales people perform better. Healthy, successful sales people are those who eat wisely, exercise regularly, and sleep well. I live in Singapore, a country that prides itself in being a top rated medical center for well off people across Asia. Their hospitals attract multi millionaires and some billionaires. Why?
“So many people spend their health gaining wealth, and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health.” A. J. Materi
We sales people may not yet be super rich, but the message is clear: Having good health all your career is better for you. I should know, across my long +60 year life, I have been on the operating table 14 times and involved in 21 vehicle accidents as a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian! And I am still alive today very fit, decent weight and a BP of 110/68 and all the while meeting my sales targets and performance KPI’s with the same gusto (but better street smarts) as 30 years ago. I attribute this success to my healthy exercise routine.
At the end of this blog are two articles that clearly outline the benefits of exercise and a healthy lifestyle, longevity and career success. Some insights from these two articles:
“After six weeks on the program of proper nutrition and exercise, there was a 81 percent difference in (sales people) performance.” Dr. Drew Stevens PhD.
“A nine-month study of 80 executives showed that exercisers experienced a 22 percent increase in fitness and a 70 percent improvement in ability to make complex decisions compared to sedentary peers.” American Council on Exercise.
“The various studies showed that exercise of almost any amount may substantially lower risks for depression, muscle wasting, at least 13 types of cancer and colds.” Gretchen Reynolds of New York Times.
Two research statistics caught Gretchen’s attention. The first is 42 percent and represents the extent by which people’s risk for premature death rises if they are out of shape. That number almost equals the risk of early death associated with heavy smoking. The second figure is $2,500 and is the amount of money that each of us most likely could save annually on medical costs related to heart disease if we walked for 30 minutes most days.
In my 30 years of B2B selling, I have always exercised and found these action to be helpful for a healthy life as a B2B sales person.
- Wake up with gratitude. This may be a simple thought, a prayer or a reminder of the good people in your life. Let the handphone sleep in!
- Never wake up thinking you have to go to work. Wake up thankful knowing you have a calling or vocation that helps make the world a better place.
- Regulary exercise at least 3 times a week helps me keep my stress level under control. My regime is to cycle 3-5 hours a week. It is well kniwn fact that exercise produces positive endomorphins.
- Exercising in the early morning allows creative thinking to the ryhthm of my pedaling. Many creative ideas have popped into my brain during the peaceful pedaling of the morning.
- Do not leave your exercise till the evening. Many of us are too tired and blow it off.
- Limit your carbs at breakfast. For me, I leave the cereal box off the table so no second helpings of sugar laced cereal. Have a crisp fresh apple, banana or mango instead.
- Get enough sleep. I need at least 8 hours when I am exercising regularly. Leave your handphone out of your bedroom. Why not go to bed 15 -30 minutes earlier?
- Play with your kids in the evening and put them to bed. This is exercise! Nobody on their deathbed said they wished they’d spent more time in the office.
- Sustained aerobic exercise builds great attitude and endurance. B2B sales is a vocation of persistent positive attitude and endurance.
- Pen in days of recharge into your calendar. These are days of just relaxing reading, spending time with loved ones.
- Pen in and use up all your vacation and holiday time this year.
For more motivated insight into getting into exercising for success, please click on these two articles below:
Have a great 2017 that has you positive, healthy, and fit!