I often recall the story of the ambitious and driven young man in Steven R Covey’s book The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People.

He was enthusiastic and driven so he wanted to chop more wood during the day than the older woodsman.

His confidence increased when he saw that the older man kept stopping periodically to sit for what looked like a ‘breather.’

At the end of the day, the young man was astounded to discover that the older man had cut more wood.

“How did you do that,” he asked. “You kept taking a break!” The older man smiled and said: “Each time I sat down I was also sharpening my axe.”

It is a great parable because it highlights the fact that if we work hard, becoming jaded – losing our cutting edge – is a natural phenomenon. When the blade becomes blunt, you have to work harder to get the same results and things take longer to achieve.

When you become increasingly jaded your creativity and immune system decrease proportionally.

My understanding of wellbeing is being mentally and emotionally vibrant. It feels like you are firing on all cylinders with smooth efficiency, not straining or lurching from challenge to challenge.

There is no set formula for having and maintaining your wellbeing, but here is my dastardly list of suggestions on how to become jaded. If you select just two or three you can create a recipe for damage, and eventually, even disaster:

1. Work through your lunch breaks and don’t plan your holidays so that you can take some kind of break in each season.

2. Do harbour guilt, bitterness, regrets and forgiveness.

3. Do not get out amongst nature; avoid walking on hills, in forests, or by the sea.

4. Never watch comedy programmes, but try and watch the news at least three times a day.

5. Do not eat fish, fruit, vegetables or complex carbohydrates.

6. Never sit with your eyes closed and just listen to music. Chilling-out is a ridiculous concept.

7. Don’t go to the gym or take long brisk walks or cycle. It’s madness.

8. Never make a list of all the things you have to be grateful for and if you make that terrible mistake, please don’t put it somewhere you will regularly see it.

9. Always isolate yourself and completely avoid articulating your feelings to others.

10. Do not take up a creative hobby that takes you outside of your normal world into the realms of painting, gardening, fishing or other stupid activities.

It stands to reason that avoiding the behaviour in this list – getting yourself out and about during the day, relaxing, being able to detach yourself from your professional state of mind – is going to have positive effects on your wellbeing and therefore your productivity.

Do share this article with other businesspeople you know, who may be interested to read about my views on what not to do.

And please let me know what tactics you use to keep yourself mentally and emotionally vibrant. I’d be happy to hear from you.