In talking with my friends and clients, the topic of long work hours comes up often. Many seem resigned to it and a few fight it a bit and end up right back on that frantic treadmill. It is a huge dilemma for all of us. The age we are in is results-driven. It is a truth across all industries.
I have asked people for their the motivation to continue putting in those long hours. The majority response? "If I don't produce, I won't keep my job." Similarly, "If I can't get everything done, they will find someone who will."; There are a lot of people out there -- with more education and even younger than I am -- who need jobs and would work for less."
I think part of the problem happens when we become our job -- that is, we confuse our identity of who we are with what we do. I can tell you fear runs that game.
About 72% of respondents in a recent Human Resources Management study said exhaustion was the most significant indicator of too much work, stress, lack of work/life balance, time away from the family and working too many hours.
So in my little group -- how do they cope? It was interesting...about 45% take a sick day. "Me" time involved vacations days, drinks out with friends and moving along the workload, i.e. delegation.
What do we do? I found a very good article by Gill Corkindale on HBR. Her information is excellent and she offers a solid perspective. I know, it is another coping article, but I am hopeful you take it to heart and find parts of it you can use.
Cheers!
DCR