There’s no getting around it – exercise is not an option if we want to look and feel our best.  It helps prevent every major disease you can find, enhances mood, improves appearance and confidence, increases energy, and relieves stress.  With over 600 major muscle groups in your body, you are designed for movement.

So how can a busy professional manage to exercise on a regular basis?  First, find an activity that you truly enjoy.  Don’t say “I can’t” but rather ask “how can I…?” when both seeking an appropriate exercise and figuring out how to fit it into your schedule.  Identify a variety of activities you enjoy, incorporating aerobics, strength training, and flexibility.

Be creative and flexible when planning your exercise sessions, being sure to plan them each week and put them on your calendar.  I like to schedule my exercise early in the week, in case something absolutely unavoidable comes up to prevent me from keeping my exercise commitment.  Then I have time to reschedule my sessions later in the week.

Be prepared for schedule changes.  Keep extra tennis shoes at your desk and/or in your car.  You never know when a meeting will cancel and you'll have an hour to kill.  Finally, remember that ten minutes of activity are better than no activity at all.  Go easy on yourself, and get going!

Last night Michael Phelps, US Olympic swimming champion and world record holder, was asked what he was thinking as he pushed off the wall for his final turn.  He thought for a moment then replied, "I try to use the tools I have."  He went on to explain that the underwater dolphin kick was one of his tools, so he looks for opportunities to use it.

What a great lesson there is for us in these simple statements.  To use the tools we have, we first have to know what they are.  What tools do you have to develop yourself personally and professionally?  Self discipline is one of mine, and I've discovered what a great blessing it is.  Once we have identified our tools, we need to be mindful of them and look for opportunities to use them.  For me, when I face a new challenge, I need to remember that I am self disciplined, so I can stick with the new behaviors or ride out the learning curve until I accomplish what I need to.

Take a moment now and identify four to six tools you have.  They may be strengths that no one but you knows you possess, or they may be things others have noticed in you.  Then consider what opportunities are facing you now that you could apply these tools to.  This is just one way we can develop the habits of living skillfully and consciously, two habits our Olympic champions surely demonstrate.

Did you know that habits are incredibly powerful tools for personal growth and success?  Habits affect virtually every aspect of your life. Your weight and health are determined by your eating habits. Your relationships with people are determined by your social habits. Your success at work is determined by your work habits and your sleeping habits dictate how well you sleep. You have sexual habits and even have buying habits. Your character, health, career success, and virtually every aspect of your life are indeed determined by your habits.

The dictionary defines a habit as an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.  The most important words in this definition are acquired and almost involuntary.  You may not realize it, but it really is east to acquire positive habits to change your life. Consider the phrase almost involuntary. This means the habit is so powerful in your mind that it is almost unstoppable!

What is a positive habit? A positive habit is simply a habit that produces the positive benefits, actions and attitudes you want to acquire and make a part of your life. Why is there such great power in positive habits to effect change? Because habits, by their very nature, are automatic. After a period of time they can become permanent.  The power of positive habits can bring you success, health, happiness, and permanent, automatic personal growth.

So how do you go about adding new positive habits to your life? It's really quite easy. You simply begin repeating an action, attitude or thought process every day for at least 21 days. Research has shown that an action that is repeated for a minimum of 21 days is likely to become a permanent habit. Remember that positive habits have positive benefits, and you will reap those benefits for as long as you maintain that habit. So think about one positive habit you'd like to acquire, and begin today to put it into action!

Thanks for visiting Nurture You!  The site is going through some major changes, including my name change since getting married on June 21.  On a more substantial note, Nurture You  now features both personal (wellness) information and professional (management skills) resources.  Over the coming months check regularly for new features and information on how you can nurture yourself personally and professionally.