As you head into work this morning, you'll no doubt be faced with the donuts in the breakroom or some random leftover birthday cake that someone just HAD to bring in to share.
But before you reach for your share, ask yourselves: What's the pulse of your workplace? And can it be healthier, more Badass?
The answer is important. The benefits of a healthy workplace go beyond the cosmetic. Wellness in the office isn't just about having a svelte staff -- far from it. It's about having a staff that is active and energetic, a staff that pushes itself to higher heights -- both with work projects and with themselves.
Florida Trend, in the survey/questionnaire for its annual and much-coveted “Best Companies to Work For” rankings, asks applicant companies whether they have an employee health and wellness program. A “yes” answer boosts a company’s chance at a top ranking. That's a sure indication that company wellness is not just a passing fad.
In just a short time, I have seen the benefits of a healthier workplace. Four weeks ago I started the Mountaintop Wellness Program at Moore Consulting Group, where I recently joined the marketing and public relations team as a Director.
The voluntary program features everything from healthy potlucks to food logs and walking challenges. In the weeks to come I’ll invite the team to one of my indoor cycling classes and boot camps out at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a "Fridge Spring Cleaning" to get the junk out of the fridge -- but not before explaining why it needed to go. (The staff was actually quite appreciative, but we also have a good sense of humor at Moore, as you can see by the captioned pic at right.)
So guess what is happening, a little bit more each day. at Moore? My co-workers are paying attention to what they eat. They're stopping by my office to ask me about a diet plan they're thinking of trying. They're proudly showing me the healthy lunches they bring in. My office is near the kitchen, and sometimes I overhear them talking about their healthy choices. They can't see me, but I'm smiling.
They're also exercising. One co-worker took an indoor cycling class for the first time, and on Saturday there she was at Badass Boot Camp with another Moore co-worker. Awesome.
She was sore on Monday, but do you know what she told us during a staff lunch? "I'm proud of myself." Those are four incredible words. Others have taken my cycling classes and are training for 5Ks and even a half marathon. Now how Badass is THAT??!
So what's the state of your workplace? Badass or Slack-Ass? And what are you going to do about it? You don't have to wait around for someone else to start a wellness plan. Start it yourself, and watch how quickly your co-workers follow the Badass leader...
Coming tomorrow: The Badass journey, in Baby Steps