By Tricia Kidd
There’s a lot of talk about fresh air and exercise, especially now in January. Which is strange because, for people who work in a business environment, most of the time we’re indoors and sitting (or standing) at desks. Those of us who like fresh air and exercise do tend to find time, such as lunchbreaks or before or after work, to do some.
Mental 'workout'
When businesspeople allude to winning and succeeding, they frequently use physical sport as a visible metaphor for what I guess they mean is winning and succeeding in the workplace, which is mostly a mental endeavour.
An interesting thing about a big session outdoors (such as running, or cycling, or hiking) is that your body glows (or aches) afterwards and you feel a great sense of physical achievement. I’m wondering how that could translate to a session in front of a computer doing work stuff. How do you make your brain glow and how do you leave a workday thinking: ‘Phew that was a great mental workout, my brain is aching but in a good way, it’s almost like a glow.’?
How do you feel a sense of mental achievement?
I don’t actually have the answer here, but I’m giving you the challenge. How do you leave your mental workday? Do you make a list of what you’ve done and what needs to be done next? Do you marvel at the tasks that you have accomplished? Remember all of the skills you may be taking for granted; your thoughts and words, your listening and speaking, your eye work, your finger work, your computer skills.
Were you in your flow, like doing some kind of regular walk or run? Was it a tough winning sprint and did you really feel a sense of achievement? Or was it a really challenging workout, with obstacles to overcome and did you mentally fall and have to pick yourself up, patch up an injury, dust yourself off and limp to the finish line? Was it a boring run that you have done before and that you need to somehow change?
Mental 'glow'
To get and keep a job, you are indeed work fit. You have worked hard to get here. You have amazing skills that keep you in your job or allow you to move on to others. Take pride in your achievements! You are automatically a member of the mental sports club.
So, if you’re feeling a little sluggish at your desk, yes do get some fresh air and exercise but do also take some time to be mindful about your own mental work. Be your own friendly mental trainer. You have mentally worked hard to get here. You have trained your brain to do so many things. Think about what kind of a mental glow you want to feel after a day’s mental work and try to make it happen!
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