SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Leadership — tracks feedback from more than 210,000 business leaders. We run the poll question each week in our e-newsletter.
How rigorously do you manage your diet and exercise regimen?
- Very — I watch my diet closely and exercise regularly: 37%
- Somewhat — I generally eat well and exercise occasionally: 38%
- Not very — Sometimes I’ll watch what I eat and I rarely exercise: 21%
- Not at all — I don’t monitor my diet and I never exercise: 4%
Taking care of you. You can’t lead if you’re dead. The majority of you are putting in the effort required to take care of yourselves. If you’re not in that group, ask yourself why. Exercise and diet are critical elements of being able to lead well. It’s easy to make excuses like “I don’t have time” or “I’m traveling a lot” but you can overcome those objections by looking through a different lens. Leadership starts with leading yourself. Prioritize your time and energy. The benefits are a clearer head, better executive presence, higher energy, and a more satisfying life. What are you waiting for? Put down the cheeseburger and go for a walk. You’ll feel better after you do.
Mike Figliuolo is managing director of thoughtLEADERS and the host of the upcoming Executive Insight 16 — a leadership conference being held in New York this November