I knew that I was in deep doo-doo when my brand new boss introduced me to his right-hand man who he brought to run the market.
“Meet Clancy” he said with a smirk, “He’s a half-day guy!…….works 7a – 7p…7 days a week.” I suddenly found myself celebrating the fact that my boss could not read minds…as I flung into a mental diatribe of insults laced with choice 4 letter words. As my heart dropped into my gut…..I realized that there was a new order….a new paradigm in which we were expected to perform.
Even though several years have passed since that occurrence, we still see mounting evidence that the “glorification of busy” is alive and well in our post-recession world at work.
Arianna Huffington makes reference to this trend in her groundbreaking book “Thrive”…where she proposes that we rework the definition of success, suggesting that it is time to create a third women’s revolution in which women do not join the ranks of men, but create a new world where we put wellbeing in front of busy, thereby enhancing performance naturally.
Many fall into the trap of working too many hours, overcommitting themselves and volunteering for the task de jour with little or no consideration for the toll it is taking on their lives.
If making it at work means not making your child’s play or leaving your spouse dining alone at the restaurant on date night, you’d better think again.
A recent survey that appeared in the Huffington Post suggested that 9 out of 10 highly successful people interviewed stated that they regretted not spending enough time with loved ones as they climbed the ladder of success.
They expressed regret at not having more time with kids who are now grown or parents who have gone to the great beyond. We’ve all heard the urban tale that reminds us that no one on their deathbed ever wished to have spent more time at the office…
And what about your most important relationship……no, not your boss or your spouse or even your kids…….I’m talking about the person you hold most dear, or at least you should…… yourself! As many a flight attendant has reminded you, place the mask over your own nose and mouth first……before tending to another…….How many flights do we have to take before we schedule a little “me” time? Isn’t it time to carve out a little space in your multitasking marathons for you? Just a little?
SO…..Whatever happened to the half-day guy? Within two years, he was divorced and suffering from a debilitating case of shingles. HE eventually learned that he had to put his own oxygen mask on before that of his demanding boss.
Today he is happily married with two kids and practices Tai Chi, yoga and meditation to balance out his high-pressure job. If this poster child for overachieving got with the program, Can’t you?