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
Judy says
Joshua, you rock! ;)
chrisbo says
Most of this minimalism stuff is nonsense. You have decided to make yourself a career based on simplistic notions. The fact that you are writing and updating a blog is not of minimal effort itself as you could make more money working a few hours in your local pub. In reality, the blog is an ego trip that assumes people agree with your lifestyle – almost as if you are reaffirming your own insecurities.
Minimalism is as old as time began and you are re-circulating the same old crap as most philosophy types do. I live in a house full of junk and i love it, it is full of colour and represents all of my interests. 20 pairs of shoes and 20 coats is not a problem to me. Oh, maybe i should make a career out of writing about ‘maximalism’ which has as much meaning as ‘minimalism’ . This is surely not a life existence for you? to devote a whole life to analysing pointless arguments about nothing.
joshua becker says
Interesting analysis Chris. There is a reason philosophers and spiritual guides and writers return to the notion of simplicity over and over again. It is important. And as a whole, we often need to be reminded of it.
ren says
All a matter if perspective, whatever works for that person, is what is right for them..
I personally am thankful for your posts, it keeps me focused. In a country obsessed my materialism, I could feel what mattered to me and my soul slipping away…always had mind set that I just needed to work harder on keeping it all organized and cleaned…an almost impossible task. Also taking away what is most precious commodity of all, Time.
Through growing older and reading posts like yours and others, it has helped focus my thoughts. I am far from those minimalists that only have 100 items, as I feel like that is not freeing to me. But am parting with all that isn’t precious or useful.
Sue says
Sorry to see you seem so full of anger Chris ! It can be said that those content with their life don’t need to criticise others so maybe a bit of a sort through of your feelings might help?
Molly Bridget says
As all the previous commenters have noted, this really struck a chord with me. As a recent college graduate, I just started my first 9-5 and am trying to gauge how much time I’ll be able to allott to personal endeavors, my blog, relationships, and so on and so forth. Culture tries to convince you that there will be little to no time left for that by the end of your day and even the end of a long week. I love this idea that we get more done in every aspect of our lives if we pour into our personal interests and passions.
With it, I plan to keep up exercise and tackle a little bit of writing every day. Setting the intention is the best start, so thanks for the inspiration!
Toni - Reclaiming Your Future says
Right this minute – I am! I moved to Bondi Beach and starting running so I could get fit and appreciate my new surroundings. I went from running 0.5km (getting breathless) to running 5-7km several times a week, spend time meeting up with friends and prioritising writing; your sentiments are very true!
Toni says
How did you work up to this. I’m not as fit as I once was due to some health issues which I’m working on.
Ronald@therichimmigrant says
I exercise regularly and whenever I find myself missing to exercise for a reason,I feel my body become weak and I get lazy.But as soon as I am back to exercising,my mood changes and I have more energy to do things.I always tell people that exercise is like my medical insurance because it helps me stay away from hospitals and sickness.
Michael Einstein says
Great post and I thought about this quite a bit today while on the treadmill.
I have been exercising regularly for many years, but if pressed, I would tell most people that I don’t “love” exercising (perhaps with the exception of easy runs in cool weather, which I do love). What I “love” is that it keeps me healthy so that I can enjoy life itself. As with most things in life, there is a trade-off to be made. I am giving up an hour or so a day, or 7 to 7 hours a week, to try to keep myself fit. Sure, I can easily trade that time for something else, such as watching TV, reading, doing house projects, etc. But those 8 hours (which is a pretty big chunk of time) is an investment in “me” (and in my marriage and in my family as well) that has a big payoff. I want to travel with my wife, and one day be able to babysit grandkids, and be able to continue to share, learn, and grow.
To enjoy life, I need to be able to be active and healthy, and that just makes good, simple sense. Small investment of time for a big payback in life…
Michael
Sally says
“Am I living a life that energizes and motivates me to even sharpen the saw in the first place?”
I am :) . I am studying, working full time, raising a family, exercising & reading. I am really busy but there is value in all of it and I am into it.
This article resonated – thank you Joshua!
Gladys (The Pinay Mom) says
One of my favorite books to read is “How To Get Control of Your Time and Your Life-by Alan Lakein.”I’m a procrastinator and trying to be productive in so many ways and I’m having a hard time with my time management but with discipline and proper planning,I think I can do it.Crossing fingers here!
Tracey says
I love this post. When I look at my life I see so many nonessentials I could take to create a better life. My “real” job is one of them. I would love to someday trade my “real” job in for one that I want to wake up for and go to every day. I working toward it, but just need to take the leap.
Bethany @ Online Therapy and Coaching says
Self-care needs to be absolutely non-negotiable. I’ve found that when I make it a priority to eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise, I spend a LOT less time on the tasks I “need” to get done.
Here is a post I wrote about time management and decluttering your schedule: http://www.onlinetherapyandcoaching.org/blog/2015/5/10/declutter-your-schedule