I have spent the best part of 12 years working in business development and as anyone who’s also led this life, you will know how much time you spend on LinkedIn.
I have seen this platform transform how we sell our respective services, products and keep up to date with the market, along with occasional job searches...
But over the course of the last few years, I have noticed (I’m sure you have as well) the utter ridiculousness coming from some users, all in the pursuit of their own ‘brand’.
From a brief glance, you would think that waking up at 5 am, reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and running a marathon followed by a cold shower (or ice bath) is now the norm, and anyone who thinks differently is not of the 'elite mindset'.
Whilst this may seem like harmless self-promotion, it may leave some readers feeling overwhelmed and pessimistic, feeling they are in some way lacking ambition by not subscribing to the ‘hustle generation’ and everything that comes with it.
So in the name of irony, here’s a list of simple activities you can pick up which should give you a boost, and don’t worry none of them involves starting your day off freezing!
Read
And I mean read, not listen... As someone with ADHD, I thought I hated reading. Turns out, I love reading. I just hate reading things I am not interested in (sorry to all ex-science teachers). Find topics you like and try to take some time out each day to read books on them. Not only will you enjoy it, but you will also pick up new knowledge and increase your vocabulary.
P.S. I recommend anything by Tim Marshall, he's the goat for me.
Exercise
Ok, this is not revolutionary, I know, but exercise is life's ‘cheat sheet.’ I try to do at least four hours a week in the gym. It makes such a difference to my mood, sleep, and creative ability. The idea for Mattr came during a workout... Post-gym endorphins can't be topped; they are really the best. If the gym is not for you, try running. I absolutely hate running, and that's ok, but the point is to find something you enjoy that gets your heart rate up... you'll soon get addicted.
Team Sports
I've played football once a week with pretty much the same players for 15 years. Not only is it great exercise, but it's also a chance to see friends and work towards a common goal. If you don't have access to a team of friends, joining a team with strangers can increase your circle of friends. Women, in particular, are worse at keeping team sports going after school. The ‘This Girl Can’ campaign has been trying to increase female participation in sports and has invested heavily in creating more opportunities, so check them out!
The News
Being up-to-date on what's going on is so important to me. I read The Times on my phone every single day for around 30 minutes uninterrupted. Not only does this help me keep on top of an ever-changing world, it allows me to read different opinions which, unfortunately, due to social media echo chambers, are dwindling.
Make the bed / Walk up the escalator
Ok, these may seem trivial, but hear me out... Making the bed takes a maximum of 10 seconds (depending on the number of pillows). For me, not making the bed is one of my biggest red flags. Not only does it make the room look a million times tidier, but you START your day having already completed a task, it’s a win-win. This leads me onto escalators. Maybe this is an ADHD thing, but it’s a great way to get a quick rise in heart rate without any planning. Bonus points for Tottenham Court Road Crossrail with a backpack on…
Learn a language
I decided after watching a series in German last year I wanted to try and pick it up, not the easiest language for someone who’s dyslexic I know... 5-10 mins a day on Duolingo is all I do but it’s so rewarding to see little bits of progress. It’s also meant to be one of the best ways of keeping the brain active and offsetting dementia. Auf gehts!
I hope these small tips can help you as much as they have helped me. However, remember that everyone is different and what works for you might not work for someone else.
In today's hyper-connected and highly competitive world, it is important to keep in mind that many of the posts you see on LinkedIn may not be entirely accurate. Take them with an ounce of salt!
Thank you for reading. As always, please let me know in the comments what you do to keep your brain active. I would love to try out something new, as long as it doesn't involve cold or frozen water!