ZeroGrav – Oct/Nov 2019 – Can’t Take It

I keep shorthand notes and lists of stuff that I want to do, need to do, etc as a regular habit. It’s the only way I can stay organized. So funny story, I had jotted down ‘Can’t take it’ on one of my notepads, and apparently my wife saw this note and didn’t know what to think of it. When I came home from work that day she was very concerned and asked me about it, and if I was truly doing okay. I had to reassure her it was nothing. Hahaha, so sweet!! 🙂

In fact ‘Can’t take it’ is an abbreviated line from NIN’s Head Like a Hole, and it is not that I cannot take it, it is that YOU cannot take it from ME. You meaning the monopolistic powers that be. I love this song, check out the lyrics online when you have a minute.

The idea for this blog post and title came to me when I was in Sitges, Spain recently for business. I have been working a LOT this summer and fall, racking up a ton of hours to meet objectives and deadlines, and also traveling more than I ever have as well – France, California, and Spain. It has been good. I would take learning and developing and DOING any day over the alternative of being bored. I do like to think back on those quiet days of co-op internships though… :[]

So here I was experiencing Spain for the first time, while missing my wife and daughter, and also trying to not let the travel hours totally destroy the fitness goals I’ve been working on (for context, sitting in airports/planes for long hours and then going to meetings with abundant foods/drinks is not good for staying in shape), when the article idea came to me – Can’t Take It. Meaning for all this work related stuff going on, you cannot (will not, shall not, do not even try) take away what is important to me, I am holding it with the metaphorical iron grip.

In this case, aside from the obvious (family, friends, overall work/life balance), what is important to me is physical fitness. I have always enjoyed running and bball and martial arts, not because I am that great at any of these activities, however because of the sense of freedom, balance, life, and strength it brings. When I am running, it is me vs me, there is no greater competitor than one’s own self. Or in actuality more often than not nowadays I just run to enjoy the scenery, at a nice, slow pace, to breathe some fresh air. When I am playing a ball, it is a team sport, and the real challenge and competition amps up. And in martial arts, it goes without saying it ties it all together – focus, discipline, true balance.

So as I think back to work and all that I have given for work, whether it be current or past employers, I am glad that I have always made a point to hold on to fitness. It is way too easy to just keep working, to put in some extra time at lunch, to get stuck in a bad commute due to long hours, to keep checking e-mail at night. However that one pivotal decision of going to the fitness center at lunch, or going for a walk when the sun is out, or leaving work on time for bball, is all it takes to make a huge difference. For employers will undoubtedly change over time, yet holding onto fitness is a constant, while obviously also being so important for health and well-being.

Not to mention, stepping away from tasks for a bit and just letting your mind wander is factually proven to increase productivity. Add in some exercise to the equation and you are doing both yourself and your employer a favor. That is what I call a win-win and I recommend everyone keep an eye on drawing that line in their daily work/life routine… I have found it to be a well-balanced approach. For we need to take care of ourselves just as much the work we do, even if it means disrupting the status quo.

And finally, in business negotiations, the other party will take you more seriously if they recognize you’ve got the ‘Can’t Take It’ look in your eye and can summarily flip tables on a dime . ;->