Seated next to me on a recent flight was a man, let's call him Joe (to protect his identity). He was a consultant, flying off to 'rescue a client ' in distress.
He was anxious and hurried, frustrated that his life had, well, become a big ball of all work and no play. His work life had overtaken his life, leaving him little time left to enjoy the life before him.
Joe's current state could describe you or I or any of us on any given day. We begin to work on a project, work on advancing at the office and before we know it, work has consumed our days, our evenings, and all the spaces inbetween.
We have allowed work to consume us. It has taken over, taken us hostage, and we are none the wiser. We let it hold us as gunpoint, and we longingly wonder how to make it different.
There is a Way Out
The good news is that there is a way out and YOU are in complete control. If you have found yourself in the same boat as Joe, then take note. Working yourself to death and missing out on life's pleasures (time with your spouse, family, kids, or friends) is no way to go about living. YOU are in control. YOU manage your calendar. YOU accept the assignments. YOU set the timelines (or are not moving the timelines to a more realistic achievement date).
What Are You Afraid Of?
I hear often that you are afraid of losing your jobs. Many of you are creating unhealthy situations that will proliferate into worse situations that, if not resolved, will create your demise at work. Examples include ignoring your spouse until he/she leave you (that would create a problem for you); ignoring your health until you are hospitalized, and the list goes on and on.
It comes down to the fact that living a balanced life is not only BETTER for YOU, but it is BETTER for your employer! I recently took a vacation for 2 weeks. Many at my office (if they were truthful) would tell you that I was becoming a complete pain in the ###. I needed a few days off, and my work relationships, work outputs, and work results will be better off because I did. Not only that, but my marriage will benefit, and since I left the kids as home- they are probably happier as well. Smile. Fear is a motivator that only keeps you from doing what you should do.
GO Ahead and Try It
Go ahead and try it. Schedule some workout time into your calendar. Schedule a much needed vacation. If you hate your job and are working yourself to death, schedule time to interview for another position. Schedule a dinner date with your spouse or friends. Take some time to equalize the amazing amount of work that you do.
I dare you.