Why I Had to Practice What I Preach – The “Before” (The Hard Stool Era)
When my wife and I moved to the beautiful coastal town of Hermanus six years ago, I set up my home office in a spare room with a simple table and a hard wooden stool. As a veteran of the office furniture industry, I knew better. But like so many, I thought, “It will do for now.”
I spent my days at that desk, advising clients on the importance of correct ergonomics, while perched on a stool that would have had the health and safety inspectors from my corporate days writing immediate improvement notices.
My back ached. My focus faded by 3 PM. My idea of a “work-life balance” walk was a slow waddle down the street. I was selling and advocating for ergonomic solutions I was not even using.
I was a hypocrite with an achy back.
The “Click” Moment
The turning point came when I was on a Zoom call with a client. They asked to see the ergonomic chair I was using. I had to awkwardly angle the screen to avoid showing my creaky wooden stool. That was it.
If I was going to stand by my name and my 50 years in this industry, I had to live by my own philosophy.
The “Ergonomics of Life” Upgrade
My first upgrade was a proper ergonomic Smart Chair, a model I proudly sell from my trusted, manufacturing partner. The difference was immediate. My comfort improved, but I still felt “stuck” at the desk.
So, step two: I invested in a simple, manually operated height-adjustable desk.
The “After”: The Real Transformation
This was the gamechanger. The “Ergonomics of Life” is not just about a perfect chair; it is about the freedom to move, to change your posture, to stand and think.
Now, when a call ends, I hit the crank. The desk rises, I stand, and my Hermanus view fills my screen. I take calls while standing, I brainstorm on my feet, and when I want to feel the afternoon sea breeze, I take my laptop and work from the balcony for an hour.
My afternoons no longer end with a stiff back, but with a walk along the cliffs. I have the energy for my other pastimes. This is not just comfort; it is a better way to live and work.
Why Am I Telling You This?
Because I see so many of you, clients, colleagues, and friends, still working from kitchen counters, dining tables, and sofas. I was there. I did not change because it was my business; I changed because my business (and my back) demanded I believe in my own advice.
So, if you are working from a kitchen stool, a sofa, or a dining chair today, you are not alone. But you also do not have to stay there. A good chair is not a luxury; it is the foundation. The ability to stand and work is not a trend; it is a health choice.
It is not about selling you a chair or a desk. It is about asking: Could your workday feel better? Could you end the day with energy for the things and people you love?
If you are curious about the simple changes that made a profound difference to my work and well-being, I would be happy to share.
P.S. The first photo is my “before.” The second is a Smart Ergonomic Smart Chair.”
