Exercise

The more I write, the more I read, the more questions I have, and the easier it is to write.

The more I exercise, the better I feel, and the more productive I am.

I wonder if there are other extensions of this principle - counterintuitive places where if we spend time we ultimately save time and are more healthy.

The more I talk to my customers the easier it is to develop better products?

Your turn.

What’s a “pet” activity that you know is good for you (or your company) and yet it’s so easy to put off?

Comments

[Karin H.]

Hi Ann

"The more I inform, the more information seekers find me, the more we become the 'experts', the more we sell"

(Or is that too business like ;-) ?)

Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

[ann michael]

On this blog, nothing is too business like!

An interesting point, Karen. The more information we make available the more appealing we are to those who seek information and the more likely we are to sell other products and services to them.

Or even more to the point the more we share, the more is shared with us and the more likely we are to understand their needs (become experts)!

That's a lesson the publishing industry is learning en masse!

[Karin H.]

Oh absolutely Ann.

You know what's funny: the most informative I ever wrote on our FAQ & News blog was on how to install a wood floor. That's the post with the most comments - read new question instead of comment.
Some of those questions I even turned into new articles.

It's an ongoing process of sharing! Sharing knowledge, sharing questions, sharing deeper or more specific knowledge ;-)

Karin H.

[ann michael]

Yes it is!

[John]

You don't really want me to answer that do you?

[ann michael]

Knowing you John, no - I really don't want you to answer that!

[Luc Galoppin]

I have that relationship with sporting. With my mind I know I would be 'losing' about 2,5 hours. But usually this is what happens:
- If I agree with my mind: I get more tired, lazy, etc and spend my time confused and unproductive.
- If I work out, I refresh my mind and body, get energy, blow those confusing clouds away and get the job done twice as fast.

[ann michael]

I completely agree, Luc. In the long list of things I should do but don't always do - exercise is #1! It always makes me more productive and somehow it's so easy to skip.

[Benjamin (WOWNDADI)]

I think any form of practice is good and has spin out benefits ("Practice to be sharp). From an educational point of view, I know that there are connections between music and maths. That seems very counter intuitive at first glance, and suggests there might be many more things like this.

I think the one that seems to surprise business leaders most, even though they actually know it already, is the connection between building good team relationships and top company performance.

[ann michael]

Hello Benjamin!

I couldn't agree with you more. Investments in people are probably the number one place businesses slack off only to their own long term detriment.

I also find this ALL the time with analytics. When you're implementing a system everyone tends to want to jump to coding without any thought about what they're trying to code! An investment in a little analysis (NOT over analysis) helps insure that even a proof of concept or prototype is more likely to hit (or get closer to) the mark.

I guess it all boils down to "No pain, no gain"!

Ann

[Wally Bock]

I think that in American business culture, any kind of "not working" time is deemed unproductive. Exercise and time away help recharge the body, mind and soul. Reading non-business material can do the same. And all those things you do for fun become part of you and potential creative sparks.

[ann michael]

Amen Wally!

It's the same as not recognizing the importance of soft skills.

This country has spent way too much time completely focused on the left brain! Balance is the key!

Ann