Working Too Many Hours is Sick. Literally.

Last updated on: May 3, 2012 at 5:16 am by JBW

Working Too Many Hours is Sick. Literally. 2012-05-03T05:16:57-05:00 JBW

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A new study was reported recently in the Wall Street Journal which followed the exploits of 24 freshly minted MBA’s over a ten year period as they entered the investment banking field.

Typically these ambitious folks enter their jobs working 100-hour weeks, convinced they have the ticket to the big leagues.

Within four years, every single one of these over-worked investment bankers developed a host of ailments, including allergies, weight gain, eating disorders, heart palpitations, insomnia, and substance addictions. Further down the road, some developed chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorders.

Sheez Louise. I work with plenty of investment bankers on a routine basis, and to me they always appear, fit, trim, healthy, and clear-eyed. Their $2,500 tailored suits aren’t so bad on the eyes either. So who knows, maybe these particular associates of mine have already survived the grind years and are now sitting pretty (literally), making deals and cashing big transaction checks.

As for myself, I never wanted to be an investment banker. Also, I’ve never chosen to be a workaholic.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve always put in a good 50 – 60 hours a week. Sure, there are times when you have to pull out all the stops to get to the finish line – but all in all, I’ve viewed my work as a means of enjoying a whole, balanced life. Not as the focal point.

That is not to say I lack ambition. On the contrary, I was determined to do my best and get all the promotions I could muster, with my sights set on moving into the highest levels of management. And I did. But it was accomplished by working smart, not stupid crazy hours at the cost of my health and family.

I don’t care where you are in the management hierarchy; I would say a good healthy 55 hours a week should be plenty. I take my cue from great leaders like Coleman Mockler, the former CEO of Gillette who was profiled in Jim Collins book, Good to Great. Mr. Mockler courageously led Gillette through a hostile takeover attempt, and in spite of the tumultuous period he was home every night for dinner, spent weekends with his family and was at church every Sunday morning. If he can do it, why can’t I?

Perhaps I ended up in industries and companies where the grind wasn’t quite so brutal as in investment banking. If this is the case, it was by grace of God, not my brilliant prescience of choice. Thank God for that.

Listen, I don’t have any doubts that these hungry MBA grads knew exactly what they were getting into. The excruciating work week is what they wanted. And I understand that sometimes you have to pay your dues to get to the pretty perched places.

If there’s a lesson here, we all make choices – where to work, how hard to work, what gets traded off, and when to give up. And I’m here to tell you,

You can be ambitious without sacrificing your soul.

You can get promoted without missing dinner every night of the week.

You can build a healthy and prosperous career without making yourself sick along the way.

Previous Post

April 30, 2012

Becoming a Fully Present Leader

Next Post

May 9, 2012 Stop Skimming Through Life

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ambition Blogging Career Culture Executive Career Development Failure Faith in the Workplace Family Feeling Stupid Leadership Managing People Purpose Reviews Spirituality Uncategorized Work-Life Balance

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

The heavens declare God's glory without speech or words. Which psalm proclaims creation's silent testimony?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Psalm 8 Psalm 148 Psalm 104 Psalm 19