The Harvard Business Review via a recent “Management Tip of the Day” joins the crowded field suggesting we quit working so hard. In this article the authors encourage us to practice mindfulness to break our addiction to our devices and to regain a sense of self and identity that does not revolve around status, pay or prestige.
The assumption is that we’re broken.
This assumption is bull.
I love my work. So do many of the professionals I interact with during my days and evenings on the job. The best days for us are exhilarating and the worst days just provide fuel to work harder.
The so-called experts argue that I don’t have work-life balance. They have it wrong. The right saying is work-life fit and what fits me is the time helping clients and the time spent with butt in seat and fingers on the keyboard.
My family is happy, healthy and no one is complaining. I asked them if I worked too much. They laughed at the idea.
Any objective outsider taking a look at our society would see a lot that needs fixing. I live in Illinois where everything is broke or broken. Perhaps taking some time away from work might help fix this situation.
I think not.
Leave our love of work alone. In fact, quit calling it work. It’s what we do.
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Related article:
Work-Life Balance and Juggling Glass and Rubber Balls (from my Fundamentals Series of updates at About.com)
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Art Petty serves senior executives and management teams as a performance coach and strategy facilitator. Art is a popular speaker and workshop presenter focusing on helping professionals and organizations learn to survive and thrive in an era of change. Additionally, Art’s books are widely used in leadership development programs. To learn more or discuss a challenge, contact Art.
See posts in the Leadership Caffeine™ series.
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I totally agree. I am doing what I love and it gives me recognition, satisfaction, joy, and a feeling of purpose. I check my email often in the evening so I can be thinking about my clients in ways that make me feel connected.
I saw that WSJ tip of the day and felt the same. I’m glad you said something, Art!
Ed, I love to hear it when people love their work! Thanks for commenting and sharing. -Art