Unlock Your Brain’s Potential with Exercise

A typical day in the life of a technology sales professional often begins early with preparation for client meetings or reviewing sales targets, demanding sharp focus and strategic thinking. It is a dynamic blend of challenges and opportunities, requiring a high level of cognitive agility, emotional intelligence, and physical stamina.

• Cognitive Agility in sales is the ability to quickly adapt, think on one’s feet, and effectively respond to diverse situations. It involves rapid problem-solving, tailoring approaches to unique client needs, and continuously integrating new information about products, technologies, and market trends into sales strategies.

• Emotional Intelligence – Emotional intelligence in sales is the capacity to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the ability to empathize with clients’ emotions. It plays a crucial role in building strong client relationships, effectively navigating negotiations, and handling rejections or challenging interactions.

• Physical Stamina – Physical stamina in sales refers to the ability to sustain energy and endurance throughout demanding work schedules, often involving long hours, extensive travel, or continuous client engagements. It’s essential for maintaining focus and effectiveness in high-pressure situations, managing the physical demands of back-to-back meetings, and ensuring overall well-being.

Core Idea: Reasearch shows that exercise can materially imporve your abiity to perform on the job.

Key Discoveries

I’ve summarized latest research (along with references) that add more weight to the relationship between exercise and brain function.

1. Neurogenesis through Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activities like running or swimming can lead to the creation of new brain cells, especially in the hippocampus. This not only boosts memory and learning but also enhances mood.

2. Exercise and Brain Volume: Aerobic exercises increase hippocampal size, crucial for spatial memory and cognitive function, preserving vital brain matter.

3. Better Sleep and Brain Health: Regular exercise improves sleep quality, aiding in memory consolidation and toxin removal from the brain – crucial for cognitive sharpness in high-stakes sales meetings.

4. Stress Reduction: Physical activity increases levels of norepinephrine and endorphins, helping manage stress and induce positive feelings, essential for maintaining focus and resilience in challenging sales scenarios.

Implications for Sales Professionals

• Enhanced Cognitive Function: Improved attention, memory, and executive functions through exercise can translate into sharper decision-making and strategic thinking in sales.

• Mood Regulation: The mood-boosting effects of exercise can help in maintaining a positive, engaging demeanour during client interactions.

• Stress Management: Regular physical activity is a powerful tool for managing the high-pressure environment of sales, keeping you calm and focused.

Recommendations

1. Incorporate Regular Exercise: Aim for a mix of aerobic and strength training exercises to maximize brain health benefits.

2. Prioritize Sleep: Use exercise as a tool to enhance sleep quality, crucial for mental sharpness.

3. Embrace a Holistic Approach: Remember, exercise is part of a bigger picture. Balance it with healthy eating and mindfulness practices for optimal performance.

While significant strides have been made in understanding the neuroscience of fitness, there’s still much to learn about how different exercises affect the brain and how variables like age, genetics, and initial fitness level influence these effects. Current research robustly affirms the substantial benefits of regular physical activity on brain health and cognitive function. This emphasizes the importance of integrating exercise into daily routines for holistic health benefits.

My Exercise Regimen

I have a gruelling work schedule as a founder of Skwill. I put in roughly 70 hours a week on work. I can honestly tell you that I wouldn’t be able to pull this off without my exercise regimen. If you need help to get started drop me a comment and I’ll do my best to suggest ways to incorporate this into your daily routine.

1. Aerobic exercises – 3 times a week between boxing (group) and HIIT.

2. Strength exercises – 4 times a week usually weight training.

3. Flexibility exercises – 3 times a week usually Pilates.

4. Sleep – 8 hours (10PM lights out 6AM sunshine).

As a sales professional, embracing the neuroscience of fitness isn’t just about physical health; it’s about fine-tuning your brain for peak performance. By integrating regular exercise into your routine, you’re not just taking care of your body but also empowering your greatest asset – your brain.