Why Give a Damn:
Everything needs to be put into context. When you are wondering what should be prioritized, related to your business or your health, you need to ask the last question in my 3 part series.
The author of this post, Ann Garvin is an author, speaker and professor of health, stress management, research methods and media literacy.
Which is more deadly? Zombies or Vampires Tweet This Quote
Let’s review. The first question you should always ask when making a determination for the well-being of your business or your life is: Who? (as in, who is providing this expert opinion and do they have a hidden agenda). The second question is: Does this make sense? (does it make sense for you in your business, in your world, in your life). And finally we come to the third question you should always ask yourself when making decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of your business and your life.
When you are trying to build a healthy business filled with healthy people, you have to assess risk; investment risk, risk of failure and risk of loss. I spend most of my time as a health educator working in two areas, convincing people that they have to prioritize health and helping them figure out which healthy behavior is the most important. I am helping them figure out risk.
Let’s play a game. Which is more deadly?
- Zombies or Vampires
- Sharks or Dogs
- Milk or Alcohol
Here are the answers:
- Neither Zombies or Vampires are dangerous, they don’t exist.
- In the past year 4.5 million people were bitten by dogs and only 28 people were bitten by sharks, so if we’re talking about actual risk, dogs are riskier. It’s also very possible that you will never be in the water with a shark therefore their deadly risk to you is zero.
- Alcohol is more deadly than milk, by far, obviously.
But let’s talk about milk. Here’s how the typical milk conversation goes in the college nutrition class I teach:
-
Student: I heard humans are not meant to drink milk. We don’t digest it and there are too many antibiotics and hormones in it. Should I stop drinking milk?
Me: How much alcohol did you drink last night? You smell like cigarettes. Do you text and drive?
With all due respect to milk worries, there are so many other behaviors that should be considered first. Do you use your smart phone when you drive? Do you drink more than five alcoholic beverages at a football game? Are you careful about saturated fat?
Everything needs to be put into context.
The fact is this; if you fear milk, don’t drink it, but car accidents, drug & alcohol abuse and heart disease are our nation’s greatest dangers.
Everything needs to be put into context. When you are wondering what should be prioritized, related to health, you need to ask the last question in this 3 part series:
Compared to what?
Should you eat more protein? Compared to what, complex carbohydrates? No! Alcohol, yes absolutely.
Figure out where your real risks are and try not to get distracted by less important facts. Your chances of injury or death in a car accident are high if you’re texting. Focus your behavior change energy on stopping this dangerous habit before worrying about the lesser risks in your life, such as lactose intolerance. If you hone in on the probabilities, not the possibilities, you can stay focused on the important things and leave the time wasters behind.
Focus your behavior change on stopping dangerous habits before worrying about the lesser risks in your life. Tweet This Quote
Unreasonable Challenge:
When faced with your next decision, try asking my 3 simple questions: Who? Does this make sense? Compared to what? I bet the answers will become crystal clear for you.