We are successaholics not workaholics.
– Leslie Perlow
Are you feeling as though you simply have to put in extra hours to get the job done? Do you believe that this is the only way you can keep ahead of the onslaught of your work? Perhaps even to keep your job? Does your family think “you’re a workaholic” though in your heart, you don’t believe it is true because you long to leave work on time and unplug when you arrive home…. If only you could?
The reality is, according to Dr. James B. Maas, today’s workforce is putting in longer hours than twenty years ago. Some studies show that we’ve added as much as 158 hours to our annual work and commute time, which is the equivalent to a month of working hours. I bet you’d be delighted to have a full month to use as you please.
It may seem counterintuitive to you, but to be more productive, break free of the interminable hours you put in and begin thinking another way. The Energy Project led a group study during busy season at a CPA firm. They asked the accountants to take a 10 to 15 minute break every 90 minutes. Sounds outrageous, doesn’t it? BUT check out the results:
- 30% higher level of focus,
- 50% greater capacity to think creativity,
- 46% higher level of health.
The truth is that intermittent renewal fuels higher productivity—not endless hours. So, if you believe that working more is the answer to success, start relating to your work and time in a whole new way. You’ll be delighted by the gifts you receive like feeling less stressed as you start thinking more clearly and imaginatively than ever just to name a few.
