Category: Marketing Minute
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This is going to be a short post because I’m still pretty tired. I missed last Thursday’s post because I was laying in a hospital bed, wired for sound in the cardiac unit. I had a stroke on Wednesday. Let me tell ya something, strokes aren’t fun and it pretty much freaked me out.
What do strokes have to do with marketing? Er … nothing, except that if you’re in the hospital, you can’t do much in the way of marketing. So, the preach today is take care of yourself.
In retrospect, I made a slight tactical error. I tend to wake up early, usually around 4:00 AM. Then I work until it’s time to go to the office, where I work. When I get home, I work some more. Bad idea. Do what you need to do to make time for yourself. Sure, you need to work to build your business, but too much will likely mess you up.
Although I try to eat healthy, I do enjoy my coffee. In the morning, I’d have a triple Cuban espresso. That was followed by a Starbucks’ venti coffee of the day on the way into the office. I love Starbucks, but you should be concerned when the smallest coffee is called a “tall.” Well, now it’s a venti decaf and the Cuban espressos are history.
I smoked like a chimney. Hospitals are funny. For some strange reason they don’t let you smoke in the cardiac unit. Go figure. So, I was off the smokes for four days. When I got out, I slipped and had a few. But, I joined a smoking cessation program and they’re helping me out. If you smoke, do what you can to quit. Enough said.
In days gone by, I was a regular gym rat, pumping iron about four days a week and I’d ride my bike 10 or so miles on the other days. Then, this and that happened and I stopped going to the gym. Now it’s time to get back into the swing of things and get back into shape. Find time to exercise. Think of it as just another meeting. If you had to see a client, you’d make the time. Exercise time is no different. Simply schedule it in.
In the end, if you’re not healthy you’re no good to your business, your clients and your family and friends. Guard your health as you most prized possession.
Okay, I’m done now and stepping down from my soapbox.
Until the next
Marketing Minute
all the best,
nt
Comments to this post:
Pingback: Comment on Stanford Wants Its Students To Be Healthy As Well As … by Health Tips says
[…] Keep Yourself Healthy […]
23rd October 2007 Quote
Comment: Jess Sand says
Wow, Neil. Glad to see you’re well enough to post to BoDo (I’m not going to say anything about the irony in that, given your message). ;)
Seriously, though, you’re right. I’ve watched too many loved ones work themselves into the ground. I really believe that a business can only be healthy if those running it are healthy.
Be well,
Jess
23rd October 2007 Quote
Comment: Catherine Morley says
Neil,
I’m SO glad you are up and about. But, please, please, please take it slow, ok? Pretty please?
Life would be miserable with only one n in cnn, ya know?
c
24th October 2007 Quote
Comment: Tamar Wallace says
Neil,
So glad to see you up and around. And thank you for the timely message (I’ve been a bit busy as of late, and have just been going, going, going), but I’m sorry you had to learn it first hand.
I know I speak for the About.com gang when I say take care of yourself, and get well soon. We’re thinking of you!
24th October 2007 Quote
Comment: Neil says
Thanks everyone. It’s good to be back in the saddle at the office, rather than a hospital bed. I plan to take it easy and get myself back into ship shape.
24th October 2007 Quote
Comment: Martha Retallick says
You take care of yourself, Neil. You’re one of my role models.
And, for your entertainment, here’s a health tip of the fun, non-preachy kind. It combines business with pleasure. Here goes:
Yesterday, I was signed up to go to a networking meeting that’s 9.7 miles away from here. My usual carpool pal had another engagement, so I donned my bright yellow Western Sky Communications jersey and rode my bike up to the Westin La Paloma resort in the foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains.
About half the ride to the meeting was uphill, but that was okay. I needed a challenge to go along with my mental health break.
Since this event was a monthly meeting of the Tucson Advertising Federation, I had to wear my official AdFed nametag. I also made a nametag for my bike, which was parked in a corner of the meeting room.
Since I had the camera along, that gave people a pretty good clue that I’m a photographer. (I do that in addition to designing things.) Spoke with one lady about the possibility of doing photographic work. Sent her an e-mail showing two recent projects, and I followed up with a phone call today.
No reply. Yet.
I find that’s fairly typical for Tucson. You have to call, call, e-mail, call, e-mail, call some more, then when you finally get through to the person, they thank you for keeping in touch. Sigh…
There’s another networking meeting tonight. Different group that meets in Downtown Tucson, which is a fairly level ride. I’m wearing the yellow WSC jersey, riding the bike, and taking the camera. This bike-tography thing could pay off yet.
24th October 2007 Quote
Comment: Dani Nordin says
I can’t agree with you more - and I’m SO sorry to hear about your stroke!
Lately I’ve been taking the “take care of you so you can take care of others” thing VERY seriously - I get SAD something awful every single year, and this year I’m combatting it by making sure I get plenty of outdoor time (I’m actually shifting my schedule to get out more during the day and working more in evenings), and making sure that I eat healthy and make time for yoga, reading (non-work-related) books, and social time. The result, oddly enough, has been that I’m MORE productive - all the time off helps me focus and relax, and I get more done in less time.
All this said, I’m glad that you’re turning things around - especially the smoking. Good luck!
2nd November 2007 Quote
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