You need to be alive if you want to go to work, get married, take your dog to the groomer, or play on your bowling team. That seems like a common sense thing to say and it is. However, into my office walked “Excuse #217” yesterday and common sense never came with him. Let’s call him E217 for the sake of this article.
E217 came to me because he is 150 pounds overweight and wants a change. He was so excited about losing all the fat and had images of what he’d look like all those many pounds lighter. He just couldn’t fathom how he’d find the time to accomplish the daunting task.
I mentioned that he could get up early and train with me. His retort was that he rises early each day for conference calls with the London office. Apparently Nigel is unforgiving with absenteeism for these half hour sessions. E217 then heads off for his day at work and therefore a post-conference call workout session appears futile.
My next suggestion involved a lunch hour workout routine. E217 slapped the handcuffs upon this idea almost as suddenly as it was spoken by me. He eloquently explained the numerous client lunches that he hosted during the midday hours. He informed me that he had landed many important contracts through this means and wasn’t likely to walk away from this lucrative lunch hour routine.
I scratched my head and suggestions #1 and #2 from my list. With limited fanfare but enthusiasm I presented my third option of training in the evenings. E217 was quick to point out his enrollment status as a part-time student in the MPA program at the state university. Two classes and six credit hours equate to four weeknights of sitting through soporific lectures on statistics and global economics.
E217 headed me off at the pass with my next proposals for working out. He stated his desire to be with his significant other on Saturdays for meaningful leisure time. He wanted some time to be with the love of his life. Sundays were identified as belonging to studying for those business courses and Sunday evenings were scheduled as sacred time for the bowling team. E217 was a seven year veteran of the “Alley Cats” and wasn’t eager to relinquish this social tradition.
I was forced into the corner and came out clawing! E217 had told me at the outset he wanted candor and a harsh reality of getting the workout training done. I did my best to honor his request.
I gave E217 a brochure for the local funeral home and urged him to make an appointment for pre-planning. I told him that he very likely would not be around to finish his schooling or to continue adding contracts at work or to roll a 220 at the lanes on Sunday evenings.
Nothing else matters if you aren’t around to be here for it. Nothing is as important as your health. It is the foundation for everything. It is that simple but yet I will get Excuse #218 in my office later this week and he will have the same song and dance. Do yourself a favor and use common sense. Without YOU the rest just doesn’t mean a thing!
This wellness article is brought to you by that guy who wishes you all a happy day. This daily festive guy is Ron Blake and you can send your quotidian tidings to him at rblake5551@hotmail.com.
