I know exactly how it feels to stare at a packed calendar and wonder where sports could possibly fit in. As someone who's juggled corporate responsibilities with my passion for basketball for over a decade, I've discovered that making time for physical activity isn't just about discipline—it's about strategy. The truth is, we often look at professional athletes like Chris Banchero and Raymar Jose from Meralco and assume their training schedules are completely disconnected from our reality. But watching how Banchero managed to contribute 13 points and seven rebounds while Jose added 12 points and five rebounds in that intense game last month actually taught me something valuable about time management. These athletes don't just show up and play—they integrate their training into their lives with precision, much like we need to do with our own fitness goals.
When I first started trying to incorporate sports into my busy schedule, I made the mistake of thinking I needed two-hour blocks to make it worthwhile. That mindset kept me from exercising for years because those perfect windows never appeared. Then I started applying what I call the "professional athlete approach"—breaking down my activity into smaller, manageable segments throughout the day. Chris Banchero doesn't practice his entire game in one continuous session—he works on specific skills in focused bursts. Similarly, I began scheduling three 25-minute workouts throughout my day instead of waiting for that mythical 90-minute block that never came. The transformation was remarkable—within six weeks, my energy levels increased by what felt like 40%, and I was actually looking forward to these movement breaks.
The mental shift required here is significant, and I'll be honest—it took me several failed attempts to truly grasp it. We need to stop viewing sports as an optional extra and start seeing physical activity as non-negotiable as that morning coffee or checking emails. Think about how Raymar Jose approaches his rebounds—it's not something he does when he has spare time, it's fundamental to his role. I've personally found that morning workouts, even just 20 minutes, set a completely different tone for my day. My productivity between 9 AM and noon increases by approximately 30% on days I exercise compared to when I skip it. The trick is finding what works for your rhythm—I'm naturally more energetic in mornings, but my colleague swears by her 7 PM badminton sessions.
Technology has become my unexpected ally in this journey. I use scheduling apps that treat my workout times as "fixed meetings" that can't be moved unless absolutely necessary. What surprised me was discovering that professional teams use similar approaches—they plan their training around travel, media commitments, and recovery with military precision. When Meralco plans their season, they don't just slot in games randomly—every practice session is strategically placed to maximize performance without causing burnout. I've applied this principle by identifying my natural energy peaks and scheduling different types of activity accordingly. High-intensity workouts happen at 7 AM when I'm freshest, while yoga flows fit perfectly into that 6 PM slot when my concentration for work is fading anyway.
The social component of sports is something we often underestimate when trying to make time for physical activity. One of my most successful strategies has been converting business meetings into walking meetings or even occasional golf sessions. I've closed three major deals while playing tennis with clients—the shared experience creates connection in ways that sterile conference rooms never could. This approach kills two birds with one stone, and I've found that these active meetings often produce more creative solutions than traditional sit-downs. My tennis game has improved, my business relationships have deepened, and I've reclaimed roughly five hours per week that would have been spent in conventional meetings.
Let's talk about the practical reality—some weeks are just impossible. During those crunch periods, I've learned to embrace what I call "sports snacks"—brief 10-15 minute activity bursts that maintain momentum without requiring significant time investment. These might include a quick bodyweight circuit between calls, walking during phone meetings, or even doing calf raises while waiting for my coffee to brew. The key is consistency over perfection. I'd rather get 15 minutes of movement six days a week than wait for the perfect two-hour Saturday session that may never materialize. This approach has helped me maintain my fitness through even the most demanding projects.
What finally made everything click for me was changing my perspective on what "counts" as sports. You don't need full equipment and a dedicated court to benefit from physical activity. I keep resistance bands in my office, a basketball in my car trunk for impromptu shooting practice, and have identified three staircases in my workplace that I can use for quick cardio bursts. These small opportunities add up—my fitness tracker shows I accumulate about 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity through these scattered efforts alone. The professional athletes we admire understand this principle intuitively—they're constantly finding ways to stay game-ready within their packed schedules.
The beautiful thing about making sports part of your routine is that it creates a positive feedback loop. As my energy levels increased from regular activity, I became more efficient with my work, which ironically created more time for the sports I enjoy. I've noticed my problem-solving abilities sharpen, my stress levels decrease by what feels like 60%, and my sleep quality improve dramatically. These benefits make the time investment in sports self-sustaining—the more you move, the more capacity you have for everything else. It's been three years since I implemented these changes, and I can confidently say that finding time for sports has made me better at my job, more present with my family, and generally happier. The initial effort to restructure my schedule was challenging, but the payoff has been immeasurable.