Astounding survey on what we most want (health), what’s it mean?

January 15th, 2013 by Agent Kevin Miller

Literally, I don’t end this with a huge “AHA!” I’m not really sure exactly what it means…and am asking for your input. Here’s what happened:

Yesterday I posted a quick question on Facebook:

If you had to pick ONE ‘wish’ today, which would it be:

A) Physically Fit – strong, healthy, energized, attractive VS overweight, frequent illness and not feeling or looking so well
B) Great car – the car you’d most like to drive VS an older car, high miles, frequent fixes needed, doesn’t look so impressive
C) Great house – the house you’d most like to live in VS older house, outdated interior, inefficient

The results were immediate and concrete, over 60 folks commented. You can go see the thread here.
If you’re not a ‘friend’ with me, I’d be honored if you’d hit ‘Add Friend’. I’m not doing a ton of posting at the Free Agent Academy fan page. Just too hard to separate life and work!

What were the results? Almost 100% of the responses were for ‘A’. If folks had to choose one of the three, they’d rather be physically fit. Whether that surprises you or not, the ramifications are pretty big. Check this out:

If we look at the reality of what people focus their lives on, we’d deduce cars and homes are most important. Why’s that?

We have a LOT more people driving nice cars and living in nice homes…than we have ‘fit’ people,
I believed if we polled people further to ask they they are NOT fit, they’d claim a lack of time to devote to the pursuit of physical fitness, primarily due to time spent working. Working for what? Money to afford the car and home. Hmmm…

All three industries are HUGE. Automobile industry, Real Estate industry and Health & Fitness industry. Let’s look at average prices:

Car = $30,000 (http://www.npr.org/2012/04/06/150112247/average-u-s-car-price-tops-30-000)
House = $172,600 (http://www.mybudget360.com/buying-a-home-in-america-today-is-expensive-thanks-to-the-banking-sector-examining-income-and-home-prices-from-1950-to-the-present-can-home-prices-fall-another-38-percent/)
Fitness – $1,200 per year approx.: $55 per month gym membership and let’s go ahead and add another $50 per month for healthier food

What we want is drastically cheaper! A friend of mine, Sutton Parks, author of ‘You can sleep in your car, but you can’t drive your house to work’, said this in the Facebook thread, “This is a fascinating thread. It made me realize I want a nice house, car and body but the easiest and cheapest and most desirable of the 3 is the body. So why don’t I focus on it? It is the key to other things. Fascinating Kevin!”

So what gives? Why does this dichotomy exist?

Honestly, I was geared up to give a big answer, but it really doesn’t hold water. I was going to say…”We can BUY a car and a house, but we have to WORK HARD to get physically fit. When we go purchase a car or house, we have it! But when we buy the gym membership and better food, we DON’T have it. We just have tools. We now have a year or more to work our butts off.

But that doesn’t fly. The car and house we work WAY harder for. We spend 40+ hours per week at work to afford the car and house. To be incredibly physically fit only takes about 4 hours per week. We endure commutes and managers and bosses and coworkers and office politics (and decisions and risk for us self-employed) and…so much, for our work. To get fit, there’s not much baggage. I spent about $150 getting weight equipment on craigslist and simply go into my rec room and workout. All I endure is interruptions to wipe my little boys butt. The stress of work pales in comparison to the stress of physical exertion to get fit.

So a fraction of the money, a fraction of the time, a fraction of the stress and effort.

I’m not going to try and solve this one. I’m asking for your input. Again, the ramifications are big when we look at other areas we desire. I’m in the business of selling Purpose and Freedom at Free Agent Academy. Big desires that I expect would rank higher than car and house too, and yet the biggest enemy is just the daily grind.

So what do you think? What’s the core issue here?

Posted in Personal Development
30 Comments
Tags: business start up, calling, career, entrepreneur, free agency, free agent, freedom, purpose, self-employed, self-employment, small business, work

http://www.facebook.com/Velexia Celia Triplett

When you think about it in perspective to Ziglar’s Wheel of Life this makes a lot more sense. Health is an entire Spoke. The other two ‘things’ are just a fraction of a single spoke: Financial Well Being. I think it has more to do with the perceived magnitude. If you asked if people wanted Great Health, Great Financial Well Being or Great Relationships, I think you would have had a more even split, because all are on par with the magnitude of Health.

Also I think you’re belittling the effort it takes to shift into a healthy lifestyle. There’s filtering through all the fads and conflicting advice. There’s juggling the need to sit at a desk and grind away at a sedentary job. There’s disciplining your inner two-year old every time you’re passing a fast food joint after an exhausting day a work. Not to mention the time spent learning how to cook and diet better, being more conscious about your shopping/food intake, giving up spending time with family/friends when they want to go out to eat or watch a movie with popcorn, extra butter. (Or having to suffer through being the odd person out). Remembering every day, every hour, to drink tons of water. Oh yeah, and fighting a ‘microwave’ culture that glorifies unhealthy living.

Health is actually a huge, overwhelming undertaking for a lot of us. It’s something I’m personally struggling with. I know that once you get the ‘fly wheel’ of a healthy lifestyle moving it’s easier, but those are long hard start up shoves.
- http://www.suttonparks.com/ Sutton Parks
  
  I agree Celia. There are so many different diets and theories it can make your head spin. And it is a huge undertaking I’m personally struggling with.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  Great points Celia. I sure don’t have a magic pill to tackle a pursuit of health and fitness. As with everything, it seems to come down to motivation. Something has to motivate you enough. I’ve found what motivates me, and had altered my ‘tastes’. That cliche’ “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” has merit. Though for me it’s not ‘skinny’ but strong and vibrant and able-bodied.
http://seekoutwisdom.blogspot.com Joseph Iliff of SeekOutWisdom

I can’t say I’m terribly surprised by the overwhelming popularity of health over the car and house choices. Though I’m not sure exactly why. I think partly it is that it can be easy to get a nice car or a nice house. In fact, we just went through an economic period where it seemed like anyone could get a nice car or a nice house through easy credit regardless of their ability to pay. (Though I could argue that people don’t really “have” a nice car or house if they can’t afford it and lose it to repossession or foreclosure. But let’s set that aside for now).

So, with easy credit (really too easy) anyone can walk into a sales office and walk out with a nice car or house in a few hours, regardless of the balance of their bank account, their work history, or their present employment situation. How many people have we seen in our country who were looking good with a nice car or big house and then lost them both? Lots. Like Warren Buffet says, when the tide goes out, you can tell who was skinny dipping.

But, with health, we generally associate that with some kind of work and discipline. We know that no one walked into a store, bought a couple of pills, or had some procedure done, and later walked out with great health. We know there is no elevator to good health, you have to take the stairs. We know you just don’t buy it once, you rent it and the rent is due everyday. And, while someone’s health is certainly subject to change over time by disease or injury, we don’t think about it as something someone else can take away.

And, think about someone with only one of these three, who was offered the others, which would they pick? Offer someone with a great car AND a great house, but with a terrible health condition, a really bad diagnosis, and a shortened expected lifespan if they’d trade them both for health. I think they’d take it.

Great topic for discussion.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  I hear you. I look at it and see folks spending their lifeblood to afford the car and house, but the ease of initial realization is in fact…significant. You can’t buy a fit body and make payments later. OK, this is good fodder for me to use!
48DaysDan

Kevin,
We can get the nice car and the nice house immediately – and just make payments for the next 30 years. With great health we don’t get it immediately – we have to make those payments in terms of time and energy before we see the strong, healthy body come into view. And in our society where we expect “instant” everything we aren’t willing to pay for something before we get it. It’s like saving up for a car before you get it. Now, research this. I would bet my bottom dollar that people who pay cash for their cars are also healthier – they know how to plan and sacrifice.
- http://www.suttonparks.com/ Sutton Parks
  
  For some reason this reminded me of what a top salesman for Olan Mills once told me when I worked for them. He said if I want to increase my sales I should buy a new car because having to pay a high car note will motivate me to work harder. That being said I would prefer a paid for car. Debt tends to increase my worry and I seek….comfort food! haha
  - http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
    
    I thought you were going a different direction…that you were told to get the car so you ‘looked’ professional and could make more sales. Which is that unfortunate reality…we get more attention and opportunities when we look good. People rail against that reality…but it’s just truth.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  I’m seeing that now Dad. I was focusing on how folks devote their lives to affording the car and house. But yeah, the fact they can get it on ‘credit’ and realize the end result immediately…separates it. Can’t buy health on credit. I bet you’re right on those who pay cash for a car. So now…how do we use this info?
  - 48DaysDan
    
    Kevin,
    It really ties into the principle that we have to be more to have more. Most people want to have more first, assuming they will then become something more. But it seldom happens that way. That’s why we see lottery winners broke in 3 years. All they did was “have” – they never learned how to “be.”
    - http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
      
      Reminds me of “Big hat, no cattle.” Hey, thanks so much for commenting Dad!
http://www.currentfinances.com Don Current

Well, here’s my take on it. Discipline. There may be a lot of effort involved in the job you use to pay for the car and house, for all those reasons you mentioned, but there’s also a box that you are forced into. You basically know where all those walls are. You’re told to come in at a certain time and you had better not be leaving before a certain time. You’re told what your job function entails (more or less). You’re told exactly how much return you’re going to get for that “investment”. It’s like the proverbial dirty diaper that Dave Ramsey refers to. “Yes it stinks, but it’s my mess, and it’s warm and comfy, so I’m just going to sit here in it.”

The healthy life style requires discipline. You have to tell yourself to fit it into your schedule. You have to make time to make and eat the right things so you don’t just stop off at McD’s and grab something quick and easy. There’s always something easier to do with a quicker reward like surfing the net or watching the latest Reality TV show instead of lacing up the running shoes and heading out into the cold.

It’s actually the same problem I am struggling with now that I no longer have the confines of the 9-5. There are so many alternative ways that I can’t waste my time that take little effort and are more enjoyable right now than me focusing on developing a business and working the plan for some future reward.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  Great point Don, I hadn’t taken this one into consideration. We work the job to afford the car and house, and can ‘react’ to our work and realize the monetary reward. But pursuing health is all on our own. Just like self-employment. Thanks for putting that out there.
http://www.suttonparks.com/ Sutton Parks

I suspect there is a reason we’ve named some foods “comfort” foods. Some people exercise to relieve stress, some drink and take drugs and some eat. And our scientifically modified food is designed to be as addictive as crack. Habits are formed and never really broken.
It comes down to physics: a ball in motion tends to stay in motion. A ball at rest tends to stay at rest. If those eating and exercise habits are formed and reinforced into a lifestyle, then they (me) have a chance. But it takes extreme amounts of energy to break through the gravity of bad habits. It can be done, but eating Doritos and ice cream is easier.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  Another great point Sutton. I exercise much more than most, and my diet is far, far stricter than nearly anyone. However, I fail without my vices. Taking all the joy and passion away and I’ll fail. I’ve gotta have ‘rewards’ amongst my disciplines. Dietarily, I’m eating all natural foods, and a lot of the same stuff. We spice things up a ton. I eat hot stuff that makes my temples sweat. Hard cheeses, olives, wine, coffee… I’ve gotta have those things or the monotony and lameness derails me. But another reality is after getting fit and well, I no longer have the desire to eat ‘dead’ foods, and foods I know will make me feel ‘less well’.
Doug G

Wonderful, thought provoking post Kevin….my 2 cents, wondering about my journey as I think about the three choices. When I was younger the house and the car seemed more important than the health…yeah, the younger feeling strong years I guess. Now, with a few miles on me the health has overtaken the house and the car. The house has become shelter and the car has become transportation. Certainly would like a dependable car and comfortable house, but I am not willing to sacrifice my time for the trophy house and shiney car (and if you could see my car…) Interesting thought hit me as I read through your words again…too often people desire the house and the car to be “seen”., and be in shape to admired by others…seems very outward looking.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  Much truth in your ending statement. It’s all ‘vanity’. At this point in my own journey, I’m motivated by being able-bodied. The strength helps aches and pains I’d have otherwise. And I fear being old and frail…now is the time to work to avoid that. But vanity…I’m sure not beyond. I know my wife greatly appreciates me looking good, which has payoffs… And even here as a public figure, I know, though it’s hard to admit and focus on…I make more money by looking fit. Gives more credibility and respect. Even if it’s shallow, it’s how our culture roles.
Kevin H

Buy now and pay later. Its just to easy to get a car and house on payments. If we could become healthy and fit now and pay later theres not many people who wouldn’t sign up.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  This is what I keep hearing Kevin…good stuff.
http://twitter.com/iyasostuff Osayi

Perhaps we don’t realize what is important to us until we have to answer a survey like this.
Or perhaps in our minds working a job is just much easier, and seems necessary, while exercising and being healthy seems optional.
Or perhaps being healthy is not very important to us, but it seems like the right answer to give…
Or perhaps we need someone to help us, encourage us, and remind us that we’re worth the effort, and to validate our desire to be a better version of ourselves…
or perhaps…
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  I hear you Osayi. It’s good cause to decide where and who we want to be in the future.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=573244201 Sarah K Bogard

I think of the three things, improved health simply makes the best impact on your life, and thus is the most desirable. But it also requires the most “maintenance.” Also, the other things tend to come more naturally as a result of working and earning an income, but work takes up a lot of time and energy and generally stands in the way of healthy habits like exercise and sleep and cooking healthy meals.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  I agree Sarah…most blame their work as to why they can’t take time for exercise and healthy meal preparation. But many of those who I find pursuing health and fitness don’t have easier circumstances. They’ve just made it a priority over other ‘normal’ things. The average American watched 34 hours of TV per week in 2012. I don’t watch TV, so I just gained 34 hours to exercise and prepare good food. That gives enough time to even work and make more money to afford better food! Most folks have a car payment they must work to pay. I drive really old trucks and have no payment to work for. More freedom to pursue health! You get the idea. Few people can really, honestly blame circumstances. Some…but not many.
Jason Smith

Not sure what took so long, for me to start working on it. Lack of motivation. Being “used” to my poor condition. Flat out laziness? Probably all of those and a lot more.

I lucked out and have a cousin who is just starting out as being a nutrition and fitness coach. I get to be a guinea pig for her, and possibly one of her first success stories. (She helped me drop 36lbs in a month and a half, just by eating healthy. Well, lots of physical labor working on her ranch helped too.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  That is just…bitchin! What a gift. Hey, keep in mind the payoff. My journey to health and wellness started with sports, where the payoff was the tangible result of winning…or not. I see folks often go after health and fitness without the payoff in mind. What is the payoff for your health pursuit? What do YOU want out of it? A result that you want in a big way? Gotta find that. I’m driven by the payoffs that matter to me, otherwise I’d fail.
  - Jason Smith
    
    Payoffs:
    1.) Less weight means my asthma disappears. I’ve already reached the point where I no longer need the daily treatment drugs. That is a huge pay off.
    2.) I lift a lot of heavy metal stock. Less weight means its easier for me to move around, stronger muscles means its easier to lift and maneuver the materials.
    3.) I use a lot of scrap material in my work. Digging around finding stuff is much easier when fit.
    4.) Over the years I’ve (like you) taken several injuries that cause lots of low level pain. Less weight reduces the pain, and better fitness/strength reduces the stress on the joints and tendons. Which means I can do more.
    5.) In my pursuit of marriage restoration, being fit and attractive, will have its dividends.
    6.) Being fit and attractive, or as best as I can get, will make business first impressions go smoother. It will also add confidence.
    
    And that is just scratching the surface. I’d say the payoff… Is huge!
    - http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
      
      Excellent Jason, thanks for sharing.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Teri-Miller/100000244322626 Teri Miller

I think maybe your dad nailed it, Kevin.

In this western society, we can ‘instantly’ get a nice car & nice house (with car loan & mtg payments)…by just doing the norm of what’s expected in our job/work/career.

But health & wellness requires an unusual amount of diligence & patience. To get physically fit, we have to FIGHT the norm, by taking time away from job/work/career to exercise, cook & eat healthy, pursue rest, etc. In a strange way, even tho in your comparison it takes less time & is cheaper – getting physically fit is HARDER, because we have to resist temptations of normalcy, like couch-potato-tv-watching, fast-food, work addictions, impatience, sloth, & mindless gluttony.

Having a nice car & nice house fit easily into the confines of our American-dream prison. But physical fitness is primarily found amongst the rare people who live & walk in FREEDOM.
- http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller
  
  stoaon oaodo id…whoops, sorry. Fingers were greasy from some KFC I was scarfing down…
  
  I guess you’re right. I got into thinking about the negative aspects of a j-o-b that you know I’m so averse too and looked at it as much harder. But it IS the norm, and fitness is not. Still so odd, as we are such a media focused society, and everyone in the media is ‘beautiful’. It seems to also get a badge of ‘vanity’. I understand it, but doesn’t really make sense. We spend so much on haircuts, clothes, makeup, teeth…trying to dress up an out of shape figure. Again, I guess that’s just easier.
  
  Interesting too, spent the morning with my guys and a good while talking about Doc Randy’s new business model. Incentivizing patients to be healthy with financial kickbacks. Got us talking about a new kind of insurance. One that would bonus you on entering running races, losing weight, eating naturally, etc…
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