This is something I’ve noticed. I think it might just be my own industry. People who are more fit tend to be seen more as hard working and capable. The people who are in the top of the ladder seem to have really amazing athletic bodies. SO…. Is there a correlation between having a healthy lifestyle and a successful career?
People seem to not take people who look unhealthy or extremely obese seriously and some might assume that they are lazy? too weak? Is that a fair assumption? Can we assume that people who take time to work out and take care of their bodies are more capable to make better decisions and perform better at work?
I think there is some truth in that. If someone cannot take care of their own body – how can people trust that they will be able manage people. I’m not talking specifically about weight because I’ve met people who are plus sized that exercise and carry themselves really well. They always seem more alert and ready to take on anything. Maybe it’s more of a mental issue. A healthy person = a healthy mind?
i think that mental drive for good health directly correlates with mental drive for overall success. i worked in corporate america for nearly a decade, and i was taken more seriously and was more successful with clients when i was more fit (deceptively fit, in my case, because of the bulimia, but more fit on the outside). so that’s where the problem exists, in my opinion. do companies discriminate based on aesthetics? of course, HR exists to manage those sorts of things, but if the pretty, thin, fit sales girl with bulimia sells more volume than her aesthetically opposite counterpart, does that pretty sales girl get the promotion to sales manager to VP sales to CEO of the organisation? and does that make a strong organisation? no.
good, thought provoking post!
That’s a really interesting perspective coming from your background & history. We can also say that about people who have medical conditions that make them look obese when they are actually healthy. We really can’t judge a person’s capability and drive only from a superficial perspective. Yet, it’s a good place to start :) Thanks for the comment Nicole!
I know that, for me, I’m much more focused at work and have a better outlook when I’m in a good workout routine. I think that this correlates to me being more successful at work as well, so I don’t think you’re out of line. On the other hand, I know of some very overweight/unhealthy people who do equally as well at work and extremely fit people who are doing nothing with their lives, so I guess it all depends on internal drive.
I agree with you – I feel more alert and focused when I am eating healthy and working out regularly!
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