This month’s article isn’t about business per se. However, it’s related, and I think it’s critical and the foundation of your success. I’m talking about your health.
Jim CastigliaIf you’re not healthy, it affects everything you do. We’ve all had a bad cold, the flu, or worse, and we know from experience how illness and disease dominate our thinking and feeling when we’re caught in its throes. I once had a business colleague who found out he had, at the age of 55, leukemia (acute myelocytic), a life-threatening disease and the most common type of leukemia among adults. His entire focus was trying to find a way, any way, to survive the disease. He failed and died within a year of his diagnosis. This man was a multi-millionaire, and no money could save him.
Since the great mystery of life is its length, and none of us know if we’ll die tomorrow or live a long life into our 90s, I suggest that you have a plan for both eventualities.
Let’s Start at Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy of American men and women comes in at 79.46 years for both sexes. American women live to age 81.98 and men to 77.05 (almost a five-year difference). There are 47 countries whose people live longer on average than we Americans do. This may come as a shock, given we’re one of the richest countries in the world.
Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy, at 85.63 years for both sexes, with females at 88.26 years and males at 82.97 years. People in Hong Kong live over six years longer than Americans. (The top 10 countries include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.)
Assuming you’d like to live a long, healthy existence, what factors support this goal?
This is a great time to “step back” and evaluate yourself and your situation. (The “step back process” should be familiar to you from previous articles as the opportunity to assess your business, vision, mission, goals, operations, product offerings, management team, finances, marketing, etc.)
Seven Things to Do for a Happy-Well Life
Here are seven things to do, each under your control, to increase your Happy-Well life expectancy. This is from the 80-year Harvard Study of Adult Development.
- Smoking — don’t smoke; if you do, quit early
- Drinking — alcohol is toxic - PERIOD. If you drink, cut back
- Healthy body weight — avoid obesity; no yo-yo dieting
- Exercise — MOVE. We weren’t built to be stationary; walking is the best exercise
- Adaptive coping style — confront problems; don’t avoid them; don’t ruminate
- Education — leads to an active mind; do lots of reading, learn a new language
- Stable, long-term relationships — a steady marriage is at the top of the list, but other relationships have great value. This is the most important contributing factor to a healthy, happy life. Check out this link from the current director of the study, Dr. Robert Waldinger: https://www.robertwaldinger.com/.
I often tell clients a hearse with a luggage rack has never been. I.e., you can’t take it with you. So, when all is said and done at your particular stage of life, what really matters to you?
Intrinsic Rewards and Interpersonal Contact
When I was younger, extrinsic rewards mattered the most to me and where I focused most of my attention: income, possessions, and status. As I’ve gotten older, intrinsic rewards and interpersonal contact have come to matter more. These components include peace of mind, emotional expression, living aligned with my values, spirituality, a positive self-concept, and the attention, affection, love, and respect of others. Building relationships takes time and effort, but the ROI is worth it.
So, use this time at the beginning of 2025 to step back and assess. With the recent election in mind and its claims of a coming golden age in America, what would constitute a golden age for you? What adjustments can you make that would make you happier and healthier?
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. You can email me at jvcastiglia@icloud.com.
Jim Castiglia is the founder of Business Street Fighter Consulting and supports entrepreneurial business owners in their desire to grow and maximize the value of their business. He can be reached by email at JimC@BSF.consulting or by phone at 949-338-7141. Visit www.BSF.consulting