Good Leaders: What reminds you to care for yourself?

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With the 4th of July holiday this week, the gluttony has already begun with backyard BBQs and World Cup viewing parties. Usually my beer belly would be growing. But fortunately it’s not growing as much this year…because I joined the “Fitbit Nation.” And I’m inviting all good leaders to join.

Remember The Jetsons?

“What’s that bracelet you’re wearing?” asked one of my weekend golfing buddies. “It’s a Fitbit,” I chimed! “It measures my footsteps – the goal is to get 10,000 steps every day. It connects to my iPhone and I can monitor my activity, my calories burned – and I can create contests with anyone else in Fitbit Nation.”  I felt so smart and healthy in my explanation. He replied: “Sounds like something on The Jetsons.”

Good reminder system

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Well, I guess he’s right: the cartoon TV show, The Jetsons, was a fantasy show about how technology was supposed to make our lives better in the 21st century. So far my little grey computerized bracelet is doing a great job of reminding me to take better care of myself.  I’m walking everywhere…and taking the stairs…and learning about how inactive I was before I got my Fitbit for Father’s Day. My daughter Katie and I challenge and ‘taunt’ each other through the fancy little app.  When you get to 10,000 steps – the little Jetsons device vibrates with a little tingle on the back of my wrist that creates an instant joy response. Silly, but terrific!

Incredibly rewarding: try it!

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Last week, NEW YORKER columnist David Sedaris wrote about his Fitbit experience: “the tingle feels so good, not just as a sensation but also as a mark of accomplishment. I began pacing the airport rather than sitting in the waiting area…I also started taking the stairs instead of the escalator, and avoiding the moving sidewalk.”  That’s my experience EXACTLY. Now I’m taking conference calls with ear buds, either walking outside or on my treadmill…just like the Jetsons! If you care to try it, check here.

Which leads me to my summer reading suggestion:

Last year one of our readers not only recommended the book “Younger Next Year,” – he gave me a copy. The book by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D. has a very simple value proposition: If you make exercise your #1 job, you can delay both mental and physical aging. The book is clever – and some of the stories are both hilarious and motivating.  Now, because of my Fitbit, I’m re-reading Younger Next Year with renewed intent – boosted by the daily tingle of accomplishment. One of the things I’m learning is “sitting may be the new cancer” for generations ahead.

My Fitbit and Younger Next Year both remind me of Chapter 9 in Good Leadership Today – I wrote about my good friend Steve Blexrud who sets an inspiring example. It was fun to read it again.

Good leaders make a habit to concentrate on fitness as the centerpiece of The Seven Fs. And they create simple reminders to make caring for themselves job #1.

Please share with us: what reminds you to work on your fitness?

Next week, I will recommend Life Reimagined, by Richard Leider and Alan Webber.

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