I’m going to be short, sweet, and to the point on this one… in fact, this will take less than three minutes.  There are 1,440 minutes in a day, and to be fair, approximately 480 of them are spent sleeping… so I won’t count those. That leaves 960 minutes each day to do whatever you choose.

I have a suggestion for the first three.  Think of it as your 401k investment for the body/mind… again, I’m talking just the first three.

Those of you who know me, realize I put a high priority on feeling good, living healthy, and staying in shape… well, at least I’d like to think so.

Relax… I’m not going to preach about going to the gym five days a week, or anything that even remotely resembles that… you don’t have the time, or the will. I got it!

But would you agree that a firm body and a content mind are worth an investment of three minutes each and every morning? Think long term… 401k.

What I’m suggesting here yields dividends in a big way. And I speak with authority because I’ve been investing for years. It clears my mind, awakens my energy, and inspires a great attitude.

What a perfect way to begin each day. But more importantly is the stamina you’ll be building daily to better enjoy life for not only now, but later down the line when you will want/need it the most… this is the payoff.

Okay, I’ve kept you hanging long enough. Here’s your three minute investment in detail.

First thing each morning before you have coffee or breakfast, do 10 push-ups. Stay with me here.

Then from a kneeling position, pull your right leg up off the floor slightly, then kick it back like you mean it 10 times… repeat the same with your left.

Finally, lie flat on your back with your head on a pillow. Bend your legs until your knees are up and your feet are flat on the floor about shoulder length apart. Tighten your lower stomach, squeeze your butt, and raise it off the floor a few inches… keep your back flat against the floor as best you can while doing this. Repeat 10 to 20 times… whatever you can do in one minute.

That’s it…no more than one minute with each exercise…. total of three minutes, just as I said.

See the video below for a full demonstration… but please not before you finish reading the post.

At first, it may take a full minute just to do a few push-ups… that’s expected… especially if this is your first time doing any. If that’s the case… no worries, but stop after one minute regardless.

Don’t get discouraged; you’ll build up to 10 eventually. As time goes on, you’ll probably be able to do 20 or 25 in a minute… wouldn’t that would be amazing.

Here’s what you will accomplish over time. The push-up is the perfect exercise… it engages your full core while giving your arms, legs and chest a nice workout. You’re building tremendous strength.

The leg kicks engage your lower back, butt and legs… this tightens things up and is also wonderful for your vascular system… another very efficient exercise.

The pelvic lifts engage your stomach, butt and thighs… again, keeps the body firm and strong… and who doesn’t like firm and strong.  All three work your heart and lungs… and think of it, your coffee hasn’t even had time to cool down yet.

Now… you do this every morning, except Sunday, for the rest of your life. Yes, you heard me right… the rest of your life. It’s only three minutes. Remember 401k body/mind investment.

Just like a financial 401k, the earlier you begin investing, the more you will benefit when you need it the most. So what are you waiting for? Finish the post first.

Now this is where I’m going to talk to you like a brother.

This is a baseline exercise routine here… nothing more. But honestly, if you sincerely do this each and every day as I suggest, it may be all you really need. You don’t believe me? When is the last time you had a year where you did over 3000 push-ups? Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Here’s something else to ponder. Up until around age 30 or so, most of us can do pretty much anything we please and our bodies usually cooperate without much resistance… hell, we’re going to live forever!

Then somewhere around age 35, life begins to place its wake-up call, and believe me… it has your number. Do I hear an Amen?

We all know those who are in their 40’s who can’t climb a single flight of stairs without gasping for breath… and sadly, as the years pass, it gets worse. Sidebar… always take the stairs.

Reaching our 50’s should be a wonderful time in life where we are submerged in our hobbies, going through our bucket list… as well as adding to it, living our dreams, enjoying our family… you name it.

Instead, for many, they find themselves with so little energy by the end of their day that they miss out on the best things… moonlit walks, playing in the yard with their grandkids, riding a bicycle in the cool of evening, hiking in the park. Why? They just don’t feel like it.

There are all sorts of people in their 60’s who avoid really sinking their teeth into life, simply because they’re afraid to break a sweat, fearing it may be their last. Always hanging out on the sidelines is no way to live.

And to make things worse… this doesn’t just affect the body… it also depresses the mind. And believe me… if there’s a hell on earth… this is it.

Though on the other hand, I also see happy people in their 70’s and even 80’s who do base line exercises and more every day, loving life and feeling pretty darn good while enjoying both of their 401ks… if you know what I mean. It’s a beautiful thing.

Listen… all I know for sure is when the body feels stimulated and energetic, the mind usually follows suit with optimism and inspiration… the perfect recipe for happiness… and you simply can’t be happy and sad at the same time. I choose happy.

You know as well as I do that whatever it is that you do well… your job, your hobby, even that God given talent you’re blessed with… you didn’t just wake up one morning at the top of your game.

Hailll no… there was that everyday process of earning it before reaping it… and you know it.

And in the same vein… you’re not going to wake up one morning at 60, 70, or 80 all of a sudden deciding you’re going to have more strength and energy than you need for taking on and enjoying the day.

Hailll no… this too requires an everyday process of earning it before enjoying it. That’s just the way it is… you get what you give. There are no shortcuts… no cheats… and you know it.

One last thing… the mind never shuts down… it’s constantly seeking direction for something to think about… something to do… things to learn.

And in our youth, when life is filled with developing relationships, shaping careers, raising our kids, and all of the other wonderful challenges life has to offer, it’s easy to answer the call.

But as we get older, with fewer responsibilities and more time on our hands, filling this void can be a bit more challenging, especially for those who find themselves always feeling tired and rundown.

And believe me, if you don’t have the energy, or the will, to take charge of your mind… it will most certainly take charge of you. I see it happen every day.

But it doesn’t need to be that way. This phase of your life should be no different from the others, filled with unique experiences to be explored and enjoyed… that is, if you’re prepared.

This is where your daily three minute investment which you have been doing all your adult life pays its most precious dividends.

When you awake one morning and all of a sudden you’re 60, or maybe 70 (and believe me, that’s the way it feels)… you won’t have time to be depressed. You’re too busy spending your “401k energy” living and loving life.

Now go ahead and put that cup of coffee aside for three minutes and start doing your pushups.

Now you can watch the video.

Bill

Go ahead… leave me a comment below.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Thanks for reading.