I Didn’t Know What Mortality Was Until I Bought A Wii Fit
Okay, so maybe that’s not a fair statement to make. But look, every time I get on the damn thing I think I’m gonna die.
You know what though? I’ve been watching the graph fluctuate. I know my fat-ass needs to lose some weight. I know that the longer I spend on it, the more that graph dips. And I know that after I get on it for about 30 minutes a day, seven days a week, after I stop feeling like I want to die, I feel much better.
I may sound bitter. I am. I can’t believe that I’m in my early 20’s and I need to exercise every day and can’t gorge myself on Chipotle burritos every day and still live to be at least 30. So, why do I get on that white board of death every single day? Because I know the consequences if I don’t. Americans are getting fatter and fatter and there’s no end (at least, not the kind that I wanna see) in sight. Thinking about becoming a doctor? You should, you very well may be supporting 66% of the American population when they become obese adults.
Or worse, when they develop obesity related diseases, like diabetes, heart disease… well, you’ll be rolling in the dough.
Don’t take it personal if I try to keep your wallet a few dollars skinnier, though.
You might be wondering – how do I tie this back into the workplace? Well, because, much like your health… your motivation to do well every day at work has long-reaching consequences. If I don’t work out every day, I’m going to get fatter and fatter and then… well, you won’t have as many articles to look forward to from me. If you don’t work well at work every day, you won’t be able to afford the internet to view my articles.
Your motivation can sometimes be as simple as setting yourself a mediocre goal: Don’t get diabetes. Don’t die in a state that requires a crane as a pallbearer. Don’t get fired.
The sad reality is that most people just think they will be okay even by not setting these goals. They don’t have persistence. And what’s worse is that, even if you do try for those mediocre goals, it’s only human to sometimes fail. I have to face the possibility that even if I do everything right… I may still get diabetes. I may still be overweight. You may still get fired.
That’s the thing about being fired, though. And having diabetes. The simple fact that you *are* something – anything besides dead – means that you have another chance to make it right… or at least do something about it. So… screw up today – get back on it tomorrow. Even if it makes you feel like death.












Stooping
Maybe, though, you’re a young professional. And you are being asked to go outside your area of expertise on a project – or to pitch in in an area you’re not all that familiar with or that, frankly, is beneath you.
Well, never fear, Vader. So long as it’s not a permanent change, you should really do it anyway…
It’s a perfect way to expand your skillset. Or maybe impress your boss. Or help your friend. In all seriousness, though – you should at the very least consider it. I’m serious! There’s no better way to impress people than to replace the paper towels in the bathroom, retrieve a heavy box from a top shelf for that short co-worker, learn particle physics to fix the LHC before the winter…
Okay, so maybe you can use the force for those menial tasks. But, looking at those more challenging tasks, what if you discover something you like doing – like figuring out the Search Engine Optimization if you’re a Web Programmer, effectively turning yourself into a Web Marketer for a day. Don’t like doing it? Still a skill you can add to your resume…
You never know how who you help and what you do will turn around and help you out in the long run, so go for it!