As a freelance bookkeeper, Josh Chu spends plenty of time at a desk. But once the laptop shuts and the numbers are balanced, you’ll likely find him on a hiking trail, swinging a tennis racket, or lining up a golf shot. While these may seem like weekend hobbies, Josh sees them as vital tools for maintaining focus and energy in his work.
“Physical activity gives me mental space,” he says. “After a good hike or match, I come back to my work with more clarity.”
Josh’s active lifestyle isn’t just about fitness—it’s about balance. Like many small business owners, he juggles client deadlines, software updates, and evolving regulations. Exercise helps him manage stress and avoid burnout.
It also teaches transferable skills. Tennis, for example, sharpens his strategic thinking and reflexes—qualities that carry over to budgeting and error detection in financial records. Hiking helps him practice patience and endurance, especially on complex client projects that take weeks to complete.
Being active also fuels his creativity. “Some of my best ideas for workflow improvements or client systems come when I’m out walking,” Josh says. “Movement helps ideas flow.”
His clients may not see the hikes or tennis matches, but they feel the results: a bookkeeper who’s alert, present, and focused on quality.
Josh encourages other professionals—especially those in digital or desk-heavy roles—to find a physical outlet that recharges them. “You’ll be surprised how much it improves your work,” he says. “You don’t have to run marathons. Just move.”