Push push push… Work more, research more, analyze more – faster and faster.
Sound familiar?
I can’t speak to all types of business, but over my career in and around the investment world, I’ve consistently seen premiums placed on the frequency of extremely long days, all-nighters and working through the day without breaks. I’m not saying that hard work and grit are not warranted sometimes, but if we step back, do we really make the best decisions and think clearly during days packed with back to back 15-30 minute meetings?
I’ve written about this before (see the list below), with links to numerous pieces of research that show how this is not only detrimental to our physical and mental health, but how it can also lead to bad decision making and detrimental outcomes.
I hope people are taking note related to our so-called grown up activities, but I’m not so sure – my past posts on this subject haven’t generated many clicks or comments.
I’m not going to give up hope, however, and in another attempt to drive this home, how about this?
Can we a least consider changes on behalf of our children?
I’m going to keep this short in the hope that people will click on the links below, which include a new story from the Wall Street Journal that got my fingers typing about this, again.
It talks about how to learn more, children – and I would argue adults – need to play more.
To provoke thoughts around this, keep this in mind:
“To stimulate creativity, one must develop the childlike inclination for play.” – Einstein
Before cranking back up for the work week, please consider reading the following:
To Really Learn, Our Children Need to Play – Wall Street Journal
To Think Better, Goof Off and Go For a Walk – Provoking Posts
The Key to Success: Doing Less – Wall Street Journal
How Can You Perform Better? Do Less – Provoking Posts
How to Disconnect From ‘Always On’ Work Culture – Wall Street Journal
Disconnected or Connected – Provoking Posts