by Neville Gilfoy

Just over a year ago, I wrote a column committing to improve my lifestyle. I realize now that the way I had been living prior to 2008 was high risk—to myself, my family, and my business. My staff members understood that if I was at risk, so were they. If I suffered a heart attack or a stroke, it would have serious implications for the health of our company and, of course, all our families.

After a year of training and exercising with Cathy Grad at Nubody’s, and regular nutritional and lifestyle consultations with Roger Young at Simply for Life, I feel so much better about myself, my relationships, and the future of Progress Media. I’ve dropped about 60 pounds, and while I regained a few over the fall, my “health team” and I are at it again, looking to get me down another 20 to 25 pounds.

I’ve even started training for a 10-kilometre run, part of the Blue Nose Marathon in May. The organizers have offered up a running trainer, Fred Aylward of Fit by Fred in Halifax, and I’m being mentored by long-time running enthusiast Luke MacDonald, one of the owners of Aerobics First.

So what does all this mean? I have the energy and strength to get more things done. I have a shot at building the business to where I want it to be. And while I’ve learned a tremendous amount about my capacity to make positive changes, I’ve also learned that to succeed at anything significant, you need an exceptional team behind you. My health team is patient, demanding, trusting, and unafraid to put me in my place. The Progress team, too, has been wonderfully supportive.

Business can be tough at the best of times, and the next three to five years could be the hardest yet. As business owners we need focus, perseverance, creativity, and the best people working with us. And we’re going to have to be tougher than ever.

To achieve and sustain fiscal wellness, businesspeople must be both physically and emotionally well. I am fortunate to have recognized my state of despair and to find the greatest people to help me get past it. And I was lucky to already be surrounded by the best—the Progress Media team.

The economic situation is tough, but we know how to change. Be flexible. Learn on the fly. And be creative when responding to client needs. Do these, and you will be in a position to survive, grow, and prosper.