Are you feeling too busy to fit in exercise? Perhaps your job takes up most of your time, leaving little room for personal activities. With increasing responsibilities, finding time for exercise can seem like a challenge. However, these obstacles shouldn’t be seen as reasons to skip exercise altogether. Making time for physical activity just requires a bit of creativity and a broader perspective on how to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Charles Scott, a self-described executive mentor and exercise coach, offers a different approach to exercise. He advises that exercise doesn’t have to mean spending an hour at the gym. Scott works with around 70 business executives and other busy individuals to help them enhance their physical and professional well-being. Based in New York, Scott understands the demands of a hectic schedule but stresses the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life.
Rather than focusing solely on traditional exercise, Scott emphasizes the concept of “intentional movement” for his clients who are driven by ambition. He highlights the importance of maintaining physical and emotional health alongside professional goals, advocating for a holistic approach to well-being.
For those with busy schedules, Scott suggests incorporating movement into daily activities without the need for a gym. For instance, holding walking meetings, standing rather than sitting during discussions, or doing isometric exercises discreetly during work meetings can help stay active throughout the day. Additionally, he recommends connecting physical activities to daily routines and social events to make exercise a natural part of life.
By adopting a mindset of an “athlete” and prioritizing physical activity as a non-negotiable part of your day, you can build sustainable habits that contribute to overall health and well-being. Scott also emphasizes the importance of mindful eating to complement your exercise routine. By making small changes and integrating movement into your daily life, you can maintain a healthy balance between work and exercise.
Take a break from answering emails and do 10 squats or pushups to add some movement. In business, many people make the mistake of working non-stop all day, leaving them exhausted and irritable by the time they get home. One of Scott’s clients, Harrison (Harry) Kahn, the general manager of the Vermont Creamery, takes a different approach. He practices the partition method, waking up at 5 a.m. to prioritize his exercise routine before the rest of his household wakes up. Kahn’s wife, Elisabeth, is a French teacher, and together they manage to prepare their two children, 11-year-old Iris and 8-year-old Asher, for school. Kahn believes in focusing on his own journey rather than comparing himself to others. He describes himself as a routine-oriented person who divides his day into chapters, allowing him to stay focused on his job and the 120 employees at the office without feeling overwhelmed or dragged out.
