#PositiveVibes - Time Off

By John R. Nocero & Sandy Abell

John: A dual role can be challenging, especially in today’s ever-changing regulatory environment, but it is nothing most people cannot handle. It also doesn’t mean that you work harder, just smarter. This could make you focused now on being more introspective about our bigger issues. According to Bradberry (2015), we could be on to something. 

 As Bradberry (2015) points out, successful people know the importance of shifting gears on the weekend to relaxing and rejuvenating activities to create a better week ahead, either through disconnecting from mobile devices, minimizing chores (which is my favorite strategy so my wife can do everything around the house while I dance & frolic), or contemplate the larger forces that are shaping your industry, your organization, and your job as we plan the work week. A 2015 Stanford study found that productivity per hour declines sharply when the workweek exceeds 50 hours, and productivity drops off so much after 55 hours that there’s no point in working any more. That’s right, people who work as much as 70 hours (or more) per week actually get the same amount done as people who work 55 hours.

 This really helps to see things in a whole new light. 

 Let us start with this: if your only motivation is to gather up titles, stop right now. There’s no room for a style over substance, razzle-dazzle leader who’s not willing to put in the work (and gets overwhelmed with the added responsibility). The title only gets respect when the hard work is done. But when do you cut it off?

 Sandy, please share.

Sandy: This is interesting but not surprising John. All work and no play is mentally and physically exhausting. I like your choice to “dance and frolic”, because those activities actually nurture you and your brain. As you mentioned, many people work very long hours thinking that will get them a promotion, a higher salary, get the job done faster, or more prestige from their peers. As you pointed out, it seldom works that way, since overworking creates mental and physical fatigue, so you no longer function well and end up not doing a good job at all.

Also, many people define themselves by their job, and sadly have never learned to “dance and frolic”. When they aren’t working, they don’t know who they are or what to do. They might have been raised in a family where hard work was what was emphasized and they were told that play was a waste of time. So, whenever they’re not working, they feel guilty and unproductive. Of course, as your study proves, this isn’t the reality. “Down time” can be very productive.

 One of my favorite analogies is that of a battery. It works hard to do its job and keep something running, but occasionally it needs down time to recharge. While it’s recharging it appears to be “wasting time” and doing nothing. However, if it doesn’t recharge it will no longer be able to do its job. People are just like batteries. We do the job, but we also have to have down time to relax our body and brain, so we can once again be our best and continue to do the job. I know it might be difficult for some people to stop working all the time and get in touch with who they are. However, the rewards of taking the time and dealing with the discomfort of doing this will be great.

References

Bradberry, T. (2015). “How Successful People Work Less and Get More Done.” Retrieved April 26, 2017 from https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/10-things-successful-people-do-weekend-dr-travisbradberry?utm_content=bufferdd280&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer