Post written by Ivan Walsh. Follow me on twitter

I spend 10 hours a day writing proposals, business reports and other documents. One of the hazards of working these long hours is migraine, back pain and (literally) a pain in the neck. You can get away with this in your 20s, but as you get older you need to take greater care of your health. I really hate jogging (: and looked for an alternative form of exercise. I found Tai Chi. Here’s what happened.

The Tai Chi Guide to Proposal Writing

I start work at 6 a.m. most days. By 12am I’m ready for a break. Usually I walk along the canal or hit the gym. But, it gets a bit monotonous. All those thread-mills pounding along. And no-one ever looks happy in the gym. All so serious – fight the flab!

My local gym (we’re in Beijing) offer Tai Chi classes every Thursday. So, why not? Along I went.

Now, I’m pretty sporty and have done yoga, dancing and other such activities.

How hard can it be?

It is really hard.

No, really, really hard.

What’s difficult is the simplicity of the whole thing

If you tighten up, get tense, or start to get negative, then you’ll lose your footing and look a bit of a clown. Luckily, our teacher (it’s a group class) is very calm and shepherds us along. Bit by bit we got there.

Remember all of this is in Chinese – and you know more Chinese than I do!

At a certain point, I felt defeated. Despite my best efforts, I could not get it.

Also, I’m left-handed (first excuse!) so I ended up doing all the steps back to front, backwards and upside down. It really was crushing but I kept a brave face and went on.

By the way, all the others were ladies — and no-one spoke a word of English. Let’s say I soon became light entertainment.

Why not?

But then it clicked.

I did a few turns, swayed this way and completed a small routine. A minor triumph. After that I went home and re-started on my technical writing.

So, did this improve your user guides?

Yes.

Tai Chi makes you:

1. Stop your mind.

For this I am very grateful. It’s so difficult at first, you have to just stop thinking and ‘feel’ how it works.

2. Eat less

I noticed that after I finish, I tend to eat a smaller lunch, maybe a salad and feel more calm. Not sedated, Calm.

3. Sleep better

I try to do 10 min at night when junior is in bed. It seems to slow down the machine. Thoughts, worries, deadlines melt away.

4. Less time-wasting

The lesson is about 45 min every Thursday, so I gave up a few other activities. In real terms, it meant less time on Facebook, social media sites, checking email and other time-killers.

Once you stop doing these things, you realize how pointless they really are – or for me anyway.

5. Better results

This is the real test, isn’t it? When you sleep well as night, eat better, feel calm, are in less pain, and waste less time twittering with some jezebel, then you’re output is bound to improve.

How about you?

What do you do to take care of your health? Do you find Tai Chi, Yoga, or other such activities really make a difference?

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The Harvard Business Review asks What the U.S. Can Learn From Europe About Gender Equality in the Workplace, and then Can She Lead? These articles raise the sensitive issue of a) whether women make good bosses, 2) want to be bosses and (slightly controversially), 3) will men support women bosses or do their best to defeat them? One argument is that many men don’t feel comfortable playing second fiddle to a women boss. Yes, I know there are exceptions but… So, while men tend to become CEOs etc due to networks/old boy’s clubs etc, most women, regardless of their ability may not get this opportunity.

Percentage of Women in High Level Positions

The Center for Work-Life Policy announced that while 47% of college-educated entry-level corporate professionals are female, women comprise a mere:

• 21% of senior executives,
• 17% of Congress and
• 15% of board directors

Do Women Make Good Business Leaders?

The Harvard Business Review articles raise three issues:

1. Masculine vs. Feminine women: Ambition in women is often misinterpreted as aggression. Laura Lopez writes about how toughness from a woman can be taken differently than toughness from a man. Similarly, women who allow their “feelings” to get in the way are perceived as too weak to lead and run others. This paradox can leave women unsure about how to best behave and people doubting their intentions as leaders.
2. Belonging vs. Competing: Dr. Roy Baumeister showed that humans have a desire and need to belong, yet women and men differ on how they handle this. He says that women tend to prefer close and intimate relationships, while men tend to go for shallower connections in a larger group of people or a cause. This can lead to men thriving in competitive environments involving networking and competing with their peers, and can result in women avoiding jobs that will place them in direct competition for advancement with their peers to preserve close friendships.
3. Family Life vs. Work Life: In “Opting Out: Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home” Pamela Stone highlights the institutional obstacles and cultural pressures that lead many women to be pushed out of work. This dilemma draws many women away from high-profile careers to stay with the kids at home.

The article concludes by saying that, “Female leaders can rise to the top as they embrace their own strengths as women and maintain a leadership style that is embedded in their individuality. This is what will draw others near, inspire, and motivate. It will also require society to respect women for the strengths they posses?”

Is this true?

Do you see this happening in the workplace? Do you support your female boss as much as your male boss? What are the blind spots and politically correct behavior that stops this from happening?

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