As a payment processing pro, you're always on the go. At the office you field phone calls from merchants, vendors, partners and colleagues.
You attend meetings; update your calendar and to-do list; send and receive e-mail messages; mentor up-and-coming team members; make sure you have enough business cards, brochures and other marketing materials; and more.
On the street, you do presentations, get contracts signed, make cold calls, take care of POS equipment installations and troubleshoot for merchants whenever they need you.
Then, at day's end, you've got networking at local chamber and other association meetings and volunteer work in the community. Hopefully, you spend time with family and friends, too.
Yours is a service profession. It demands that you focus on other people's needs. That leaves precious little time for you. Why does this matter? Because you must be at your best to do your best. And you can't be at your best unless you take care of yourself.
Take a minute to consider these questions:
If you're like most people, you're probably pleased with some of your answers and a bit disappointed with others. You might be confused, too. After all, experts disagree on many of the finer points of health maintenance.
Some say vigorous workouts are required several times a week to keep the human body fit; others say walking just 10 minutes a day will tip the longevity scales in your favor. And the "miracle" diets touted by some medical practitioners, chefs and diet gurus are legion. It's hard to know where to start when it comes to forming new habits.
Not to worry. The most important thing is to pick an area in which you'd like to improve your self-care, and take a step.
If you're consuming too much coffee at work, for example, get acquainted with herbal teas. It's likely you'll find a few that you can substitute for at least some of your java consumption. If you snack on chips, try substituting celery with peanut butter or unbuttered popcorn.
If you want to exercise more, you don't have to run right out and join a gym (although you can if you think you'll enjoy it). Here are some possibilities:
There are myriad small ways you can improve your health. Explore Web sites; bone up; subscribe to newsletters from respected authorities on fitness.
As in sales, persistence is key. What works for your colleague may not work for you. But if you keep trying, something will work. Maybe rock climbing is your thing, or ballroom dancing. Perhaps meditation is your bag, or singing in a blues band.
So begin. You'll be sharper, happier, healthier and more productive. That means more merchant applications will roll in. Then someday you'll be figuring out how to stay fit on the beach sipping your (healthy) drink of choice. 
The Green Sheet Inc. is now a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals. Click here for more information.
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