Steven Covey references the four dimensions of our nature – physical, spiritual, mental and social (emotional), that are fundamental to preserving and enhancing ourselves.
These must be balanced, to neglect any one area negatively impacts the rest.
I avoid advice from those who do not display the character and mentality that I seek in these four dimensions, those that have no proven track record. The inverse cannot be ignored, do I inspire those that I work with about the importance of these dimensions in their lives?
In this short writing I will focus on the physical dimension of wellbeing.
I often reflect on the graduation of my wife’s daughter (Nina) at Aberdeen Scotland 3 years ago. One of the degrees awarded that day was an MSc in Human Nutrition. I have a vivid recollection of a particular thought process. Many of the degree recipients were overweight, not something I judge, but not someone that I would seek advice from in nutrition, let alone pay for their advice in nutrition.
I am less impressed by peoples potential than by their track record. Our HR manager (corporate days) was often annoyed with me when I would give less attention to candidates CV’s than the questions that they would ask in the interviews. I wanted to understand what they would become.
Many would cringe at my statements, but I am not about to tell people what they want to hear. Giving people a warm and fuzzy feeling about an upgraded trajectory does not help prepare them for the real world of knives and daggers. I leave that to their mothers (and that’s a whole new chapter).
Calling a spade a spade, with genuine and sincere caring.
You should not do harmful things to others, but you better be capable of it else you will be acted on by others, at some point in your life (Dr J Peterson).
Back to the physical dimension. How could I get an objective assessment of my track record? It was not enough to say that I focus on the quality of my inputs. How could I demonstrate the results of habits that I encourage others in?
I recently wrote (about closing a business) that having proper principals and values at my centre was my lighthouse and no matter what, these did not change. Family, money, work, possessions, friends, pleasures etc. are all important, but not at my centre. If they were, then I would be an emotional roller coaster, a yo-yo between whatever was being impacted.
But how to demonstrate to others the reality of my physical wellbeing even through “stressful situations”? I purchased a Hume Band and Hume Pod in order to measures some daily physical outcomes.
Below are additional screenshots of my data (in addition to the feature picture).
I was against wearables, now I have a changed perspective. Not waking up with the energy of a teenager, I blamed my sleep. I have proven with the Hume Band that my sleep quality is good. Having dumped that imaginary constraint, I feel much better.
This small example has reminded me that, as important as positive thinking is, it is a far cry from the value of eliminating negative thoughts.
Many individuals and groups that I interact with ask me about protocols that I follow in the dimension of physical wellbeing. The questions mostly point to their desire for a quick fix, a tablet or some protocol that does not demand sacrifice. Are you prepared to take cold showers?
In my experience we all have to sacrifice, we can choose to sacrifice earlier in life or later. We have the freedom to choose that timing. I have never looked for quick fixes, I just don’t have that mindset.
My advice always centres around building good habits. Although I live and work in the realms of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People “by Stephen R. Covey, when it comes to the dimension of our physical self, I try to have people fully commit to just ONE good habit because that tends to pull other good actions with it.
It takes 2-3 weeks to get fit with simple physical exercise. This part is a quick fix, but even with this higher level of fitness, your mind will fight your progress to stay in shape. Discipline trumps motivation, and habits trump discipline.
Many benefit from a life experience that positively changed their outlook and behaviours in physical wellbeing. For me it was the advice to speak with wealthy people in their 40s’, 50s’, 60s’ and 70s, and to ask what % of their wealth they would give up to be healthy. It was a direct curve, on the younger end, the 40 age group said between 10 and 15%, and on the older end, the 70 age group said between 80 and 90% (answers influenced by their current health).
I have never been a proponent of longevity, rather health span. Now with the Hume Band data I have shifted from health span to peak span. When I turned 60 (more or less), I fell into the mindset of preservation. That mindset impacted much of what I did, or rather what I stopped doing. Now data driven, my mindset changed to peak span, continuing to push the boundary. Realistically improvement is more challenging. Biking replaces running.
Think Bigg-r 