21 Days and Counting to Exercise as a Habit

They say it takes six weeks to create and ingrain a new habit.  Well, I'm halfway there.  Twenty-one days ago I decided that I needed to make daily exercise a habit.  I was inspired by an e-book entitled What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast.  I reasoned that if I could reshape my day by arising earlier and committing to morning exercise, I might just be able to be one of those diligent fitness fanatics that I envy.  So far, it's worked.  There have been a few days in which I have had to get my workout done in the evening and I'm not beyond closing down the gym to the very last minute.  However, what I discovered over these past weeks is that exercising is easier and what's more I actually crave it. Now that's truly amazing.

This sudden change is explained best in an article that I recently read on what happens to our brains when we exercise and how it makes us happy. Of course, we have all heard about the endorphins that are released which bring on a feeling of euphoria but there is actually real science behind the magic of exercise.  The article states that there is a protein, BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), released in the process of exercise that protects your brain from stress.  Leo Widrich, the author of the aforementioned article, states that BDNF and endorphins are the reason that exercise makes us feel good. He further points out that regular exercise is what maximizes this happiness.  So making exercise a habit is not only physically healthy, it is emotionally healthy as well. 

That's enough proof for me.  Exercise is better than drugs and what's more it's natural and legal! What more do I need to continue on my journey to six weeks of daily exercise?

There have been a few tips that have kept me on the straight and narrow to being consistent over the last twenty-one days.

• I chose a primary method of exercise.  I love walking and to be consistent, the treadmill is the best method for me.  A home treadmill or one at the gym both work well.
• I chose morning workouts. This has made all of the difference for me. It starts my day off on an upswing and my workout is finished so that I am not deterred from unforeseen circumstances.
•  I chose a small motivator. I use Foursquare to check into various places. I check into my gym using this social media application and record my results. It allows me to share it with my Twitter followers (accountability) and the application responds with encouraging feedback (you've been here 21 days in a row). As a reward for my frequent check-ins, I recently stole the mayorship of my gym, Planet Fitness. Sweet!

I'm well on my way to a daily exercise habit and I'm sure my heart and body thank me.  But my mind and soul, two participants who unknowingly have come along for the ride may be the biggest benefactors. At any rate, I'm thoroughly enjoying the journey.

From Lawn Service to Banking – Can You Solve My Problem?

In a recent meeting, I took my team through an exercise. The charge was to think about what problems our members might be looking to solve in which we, as a financial institution, could assist. I recall them looking at me quizzically as I split them in teams to work on the project. It didn’t help that I purposely assigned them to someone they may not have chose to work with on their own.

The discussion started and they soon came up with a list of items to present. It was interesting that they saw things from their point of view. One had student loans and thought that it would be nice to provide a program for refinancing them at a low rate. Another felt that the branches should take time to educate members. They all need to be financially educated, right? Another one started out by saying that she was discussing member complaints and talked about all of our products that could help the member. There was some good feedback and thoughts as a result. However, I couldn’t help but think that perhaps we had not quite hit the mark.

“Great” sales people think that because they are so skilled at what they do they can force or coerce consumers buy. The reality is that people buy when they have problems that need solutions. Yes, you can sometimes make the sale to that impulsive buyer or browbeat someone into purchasing your product. Those situations are short term and could also be argued that the purchase of the product solved the problem of not having to continue to talk to the salesperson!

Today, I had a problem. My lawn needed mowing and I had not taken the time to call the service in advance that I normally use. I called this morning and received a voice mail message.  I had never received a recorded message on previous occasions. Normally someone answers, requests your address, and then it takes several days for them to arrive.  Resigning myself to the fact that I might not get this task done today, I had already began thinking about how I would delegate this to my son before I leave to go on vacation. Suddenly, the door bell rang. I saw the van through my peephole and was pleasantly surprised. As I opened the door, the young man said, “Would you like your lawn mowed?” I smiled and exclaimed, “Yes, I would like it mowed!” I peered at the truck and the young man read my mind, “We’re Nick’s Lawn Service”, he said. I smiled again as I recognized the name.

They got started right away, trimmed some bushes in addition to mowing the grass and even moved some bags of leaves to the front that my other service conveniently left in the back. I was a happy camper. My problem was solved and the solution came to me right when I needed it.

There are some lessons here for financial institutions and service providers.

1) Recognize that people open accounts and apply for loans because they have a problem that needs to be solved. Are you in their purchase path as they make buying decisions to solve their problems? Or are you waiting for them to follow your recommended plan of action and approach the process your way?

2) Consumers buy on their time. Are you aware of proper timing as it relates to an individual’s purchase path? Is it the right day of the week, month, or season of the year for a respective purchase?

3) Convenience is valued above all and consumers are in short supply of time. Are you marketing and selling in real-time when consumers need you? Is the process simple and easy from the buyer’s perspective?

Remember, I didn’t have time to call in advance. Nick’s Lawn Service came to me right when I needed them. It was Saturday and they remembered that they had done business for me on Saturday previously. I’m also sure that they are aware that Saturday is a prime day for lawns to be mowed. Finally they are probably cognizant that people are time-starved and so they make it easy by just stopping by and asking for the business.

Is your financial institution proactive and aware of real-time service like Nick’s or is it more like my other lawn service that has yet to call me back?

What’s Wrong With Being A Chevrolet?

What automobile best personifies your credit union? I asked this question recently at one of my marketing team meetings. Everyone thought for a second and the answer that was most prevalent was “Chevrolet.” Well, I thought, that’s not very sexy. Chevrolet…..it sounds so basic, so middle class, and so bland.

Then I attended the DFW Auto Show in Dallas this past weekend and I had an epiphany. When I entered the showroom what automobile maker was front and center? You guessed it. It was Chevrolet. The display of cars and trucks was huge! The coveted Corvette had a special place all of its own. And the Camaro Z21 was prominently displayed on the rotating stage as if crowned the reigning king of Chevys. There was a widescreen video production celebrating the work horse truck of them all, the Chevrolet Silverado.

That’s when it hit me. I grew up with these cars. My grandfather had a Chevrolet truck and my father owned Chevrolet cars. My brother has owned two Chevrolets before he moved on to Mercedes. Heck, I owned two Chevys as well before I switched to Lexus. This basic, middle class, sometimes bland vehicle was the foundation of my family lifestyle automobile ownership. Even though I haven’t owned a Chevrolet in years, there was an emotional attachment that I could not deny.

So what’s wrong with Neighborhood Credit Union being a Chevrolet? Like Chevrolet, we have a long solid history. We’re the oldest credit union in Dallas with 82 years of serving members. Chevrolet has been the car of many generations of families and has served the middle class well. With a foundation of family membership and a member base that is largely working middle class Neighborhood CU is very similar. Our original field of membership was the U.S. Postal Service and our postal family still has a significant presence. We have transitioned from a credit union with products that are largely traditional to innovative products that are one of a kind for the Dallas-Fort Worth market such as our Prize Savings. Chevrolet has the most modest of cars to not one but two premier sports cars. Let’s not forget that the Silverado was the only truck that made it through the apocalyptic world shown in the 2012 Super Bowl commercial.

Lisa, the spokesperson on the Chevrolet stage at the auto show, said in referencing the Camaro Z21, “It’s the spirit of the past with a futuristic thrill.” I think that sums up the Neighborhood CU brand very well. I don’t mind being a Chevy at all.

Did I mention that our CEO drives a Chevrolet Tahoe? As they say, Chevy runs deep. And so does Neighborhood Credit Union.