Last month, Tyler Tervooren posted an article titled, Why Productive People Always Have Time For Exercise. You can go read it, it’s good. But I didn’t—at least, not at first. I noticed the title. But because I was in the middle of something, I was left with only that.
The question was left for me to ponder alone: Why do productive people always seem to have time for exercise?
As the question remained in the back of my mind, it led to even broader questions: Why do productive people always seem to have so much time for everything they do? Are they working harder? Better at time management? More disciplined than the rest of us?
I was left to ponder the question for several hours. I looked up the original article as soon as time allowed.
In it, Tyler makes the wonderful case that productive people find time for exercise because they tend to be more intentional about taking care of their physical bodies. Like a tree-cutter taking time to sharpen his saw, productive people make time for exercise because it helps them be their best.
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe,” is a quote often attributed to Abraham Lincoln. He knew the importance of sharpening his saw.
And believe me, I agree. I have found this to be true. Intentional physical exercise and healthier eating habits have been an important addition to my life over the past few years. But interestingly, that is not where my mind immediately raced when I was left with only the title.
My mind offered a different conclusion: People who love the life they live find more time to live it.
You see, and I stand as proof of this, the more we experience joy in life, the more we can’t wait to get up and start living it. On a very small scale, compare the worker who hates his job and the one who loves it.
The man or woman who hates his work scowls at the alarm clock, rolls out of bed with frustration, takes his time getting ready, mopes around the office, counts the minutes to 5pm, turns on the television when he gets home to distract himself, and then goes to bed late only to repeat the cycle tomorrow.
On the other hand, picture the man or woman who enjoys their work. She can’t wait to get started in the morning, she prepares her body with healthy food and exercise to accomplish her best, she invests proudly into her work, and returns home with energy. And then, she can’t wait to get started again in the morning.
People who love the life they live naturally find more time to live it.
Personally, I want to live a life that doesn’t require an alarm clock—one that I can’t wait to wake up and start living each day.
Does exercise result in more productivity? Absolutely. But only a man or woman who takes pride in their life and their choices desire more productivity for it.
Tyler wrote an important piece. If you skipped over it the first time, go read it now.
As you do, ask yourself this question, “Am I living a life that energizes and motivates me to even sharpen the saw in the first place?” And if the answer is no, what changes do you need to make in order to make that a reality?
Most often, implementing the change requires the intentional removal of something holding you back from the life you desire. Sometimes it is a commitment, a negative thought, or an un healthy habit. For me, it was the excess possessions that were robbing me of time, energy, and money.
Identify the nonessential. And remove them entirely.
Because the first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t. (tweet that)
Further Reading
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
This is so true! I find great joy in my life right now and love waking up in the morning, but there was a point a few years ago that I absolutely hated my job and hated facing the day. I quite literally would count down the minutes until I could end the day. Looking back now, it was such a waste of precious time and LIFE. Once I realized I could no longer go on that way, I started feeling so much more alive in general.
Dorrie Williams says
Did you leave the job or did you develop a better attitude about it?
kariane says
I like this. And it’s so true. I am slowly getting rid of things I don’t love (possessions, commitments, and so on) while expanding what fills me with joy. Life is simple, and good.
Jessica says
I had never heard that quote before. I am doing a lot of tedious preparation for an upcoming cross-country move, and that AL quote definitely helped shine a little light. Thank you for another inspirational post :)
Mrs. Frugalwoods says
I’ve actually started front-loading my days with what I enjoy most so that I’m more motivated to wake up early. And, it works! Instead o rolling out of bed at the last possible minute and dragging myself to work, I spend a few hours at home in the mornings writing and enjoying a leisurely breakfast with my husband. It gives the day a positive tenor and I find I look forward to those morning hours the most!
Maureen@ADebtFreeStressFreeLife says
All the stuff in our lives that we don’t want are called tolerations, or things we tolerate. I spent a good part of my early forties getting rid of the all the tolerations in my life, including people. You know the kind, the ones that suck the life out of you. When you’re tolerating, you’re not living your best life because you energy is being spent on the tolerations. And as for an alarm clock, I haven’t owned on since I was in college.
Lori in Prescott says
Ah, Maureen, great comment about letting go of the people in your life that drag you down, suck you dry, make you feel lousy. There’s a quote about how you will never remember what someone did for you, but you’ll always remember how they made you feel.
Maureen@ADebtFreeStressFreeLife says
So true Lori and I’m happy I don’t have to remember them or how they made me feel.
Alice@lifeandotherweirdtales says
I wrote about this a while ago here… http://lifeandotherweirdtales.blogspot.gr/2014/02/the-extra-hour.html
Then I had two kids and I expected my life to get swallowed up and my time too. Well, I have just finished my first book, have managed to secure a publisher and manage to do most of the things that really matter to me. Do I ever run out of time? Yes. Is my house not as clean/tidy as some would like? Yes. But I have happy kids, and I am happy to wake up and start my day!
Once more, beautifully said!
Yuvrajsinh says
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”
I was thinking about the same quote today.
At the swimming pool, I’ve practiced flutter kick for the 30 mins. And then did freestyle swimming for only 5 mins.
It was more perfect and relaxing than ever before.
Erika says
I think you will find this video interesting. It is about capitalism and drug addiction.
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2015/3/11/johann_hari_naomi_klein_does_capitalism
Karin says
Great insight there. Interesting thought that if you love your life, you take the time to exercise. Usually people think it works the other way around. If you start exercising, you’ll enjoy life more and become happier. But in order to be able to start excersising and be more productive, you need to make the time to declutter your life first. I like it.
Angie thomas says
Yes.
I just realized that. Four more bags went out today. I’ve given away 10 boxes of books…classics… Religious books …ones I never,ever thought I’d part with. I feel happy thinking that someone will enjoy them like I did.x
Sopfiela Grannum says
Thank you for this comment. It has helped me in some way.
Ann says
THANKS For your post. Can you please tell me how you let them go? I’m really struggling with the books. ..mostly because some are really expensive ..I’d appreciate your thoughts. :)
Oskar says
I absolutely agree with that, while observing my habits, productivity as well as the progress on my goals, there’s always a clear conclusion I can draw, namely, cover your essentials and everything else starts to fall into place. When I eat healthy, stay physically active and sleep enough, I know I’m prepared to achieve so much more and I actually do!