We all want to have successful books. As artists and storytellers, we want to write a great American novel that is a New York Times bestseller. We want to build a successful business. Or we have some other kind of dream that’s important to us.

That work is important, yes. But it’s not the most important work that you do. Not even close. The most important work you do is on yourself. The best energy you can put into your writing is not the energy that goes into your book, but the energy that goes into your mental and emotional health.

Are you taking care of yourself physically? Are you exercising and eating a decent diet? Do you have friends you can call in times of trouble? Are you involved in some kind of community where you live?

Do you read every day and take a few moments for gratitude or meditation? Are you getting enough rest and hydration? Do you have a hobby or take some time to relax so you don’t spend all your time working?

Those are pretty fundamental questions, but they are important. If you focus on your creative work all the time but neglect working on yourself, you will crash and burn.

I want you to be successful and healthy over the long-haul, not just for the immediate term when you’re working on something that you perceive to be so important.

That work is important, yes. But the most important thing you will ever work on is yourself.

Question: Are you spending time each day working on yourself? In what ways specifically?

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Take a walk to get your blood flowing.

There is a lot of research that shows the correlation between exercise and creativity. It makes us feel better, puts us in a better mood, and helps the blood to flow to our brain. There is also a lot of research showing how bad sitting for extended periods of time is for us.

No matter which way you slice it, taking a walk is a great way to get your blood pumping, contribute to your overall health, and clear your head. If you struggle with depression or just feel cooped up a lot of the time, taking a walk is one of the best things you can do to boost your productivity and become a healthier version of yourself.

Søren Kierkegaard, the great philosopher, once said, “I walked myself into my best thoughts.” The same is probably true for all of us if we take the time to go for a short walk each day.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stuck, or just felt like I was in a funk, and taking a walk around the block did the trick. I felt better and got the blood really flowing again.

Plus, I encourage you to take your phone and dictate some writing while you’re walking, so you’re getting extra value out of that time.

Or you can also do what I often do… which is listen to some 80’s music while you’re moving. I mean, let’s face it… there’s no debate that the 80s was the best decade for music. Am I right?

Question: Do you integrate walking or exercising as part of your regular routine, and how does it help your writing and creativity?

The post Writing Habits Practice #7: Take a Walk appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

I am a big believer in spending your time on activities that bring value in many different areas. For example, writing is an activity that can bring a whole bunch of different benefits to your life. That’s why it’s a great investment.

Another one of those areas is running. I confess I don’t know a lot about running, but as I’ve gotten into it the last couple of years, it has brought amazing benefits to my life. It gives me energy, helps me be more creative, extends my life, and so much more.

I’m thrilled to feature a guest today who is an expert on this subject. His name is Matthew Huff, and he is a writer, runner, and published author of Marathoner: What to Expect When You’re Training for and Running a Marathon. His writing has appeared in Runner’s World and BuzzFeed, among other places.

Matthew also hosts a weekly pop culture podcast called P.S. You’re Wrong and regularly performs improv comedy. Previously, he was a literary agent, writing tutor, and McDonald’s employee. His first race was the Dairy Dash 5K in Elsie, Michigan, which he slowly shuffled through for the bagels.

In this conversation, I asked Matthew all of my burning questions about running such as: What are some of the benefits of running, especially for writers who tend to be sedentary? How can running help you become a better writer? What is the benefit of doing a marathon vs. a half marathon or shorter races? … and much more.

Make sure to check out Matthew’s new book, Marathoner, and connect with him on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post Matthew Huff: How Running Helps You Become a Better Writer appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.