creating sustainable results in growth and performance
In much
Western culture, particularly with the work ethic, we have become so
focused on work and productivity that we may have lost touch with the
balancing value of play, joy, and pleasant pastimes. Seeing the toll this
out-of-balance life-style takes in burnout, chronic illness, and rigid
thought patterns that border on denial, we realize the seductive and
deceptive qualities of this shortsighted value system.
This can be
called “time contamination”. If we expect to compete successfully in this
time of rapid change and, even more important, to enjoy a balanced,
satisfying, and rewarding life, we must get as good at creative, renewing
play as we are now at highly productive work.
Estimate how
much time you contaminate by not being totally productive during an
average work day:
EXAMPLES:
∎ Going
to a movie and finding yourself still mentally at the office.
∎
Reading the same report three times while wishing for the weekend to come
∎
Taking an hour to complete a twenty-minute budget draft because you are
worrying about a problem with your car
∎
Needing to go to the supply cabinet five times to complete a travel
expense report
Now estimate
how much time you contaminate on the average over the weekend or on days
primarily dedicated to play, relaxation, and renewal:
EXAMPLES:
∎
Worrying about a client presentation while you are on the golf course
∎
On vacation, taking a series of business calls that spoil your mood for
family fun
∎
Worrying about the kids and the baby-sitter while trying to enjoy an
evening at the theater
Average your
workday and weekend contamination hours and multiply by thirty (the number
of days in most months). Now you have an estimate of the average total
time you contaminate in a month that could be reclaimed for refreshing
play or productive work:
The good news
is that you have a choice. With practice, you can
learn to recycle most, if not all, of that contaminated time into fresh,
highly productive, rewarding, satisfying, and enjoyable new time. One way
is introducing regular
Joy Breaks.
