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doing violence to ourselves.
as Wayne Muller powerfully
puts it in his book "Sabbath:
Finding Rest, Renewal, and
Delight in our Busy Lives:"
"A "successful" life has
become a violent enterprise.
We make war on our own
bodies, pushing them
beyond their limits; war on
our children, because we
cannot find enough time
to be with them when they are hurt and afraid, and
need our company; war on our spirit, because we are
too preoccupied to listen to the quiet voices that seek
to nourish and refresh us; war on our communities,
because we are fearfully protecting what we have,
and do not feel safe enough to be kind and generous;
war on the earth, because we cannot take the time to
place our feet on the ground and allow it to feed us, to
taste its blessings and give thanks."
This passage brought me to tears. For me, yes, but
also for so many who don't (or can't) see it before
it's too late. Life is so much more than sacrifice,
achievement, and recognition at work for someone
else's financial success.
As a leader, if you're exhibiting these behaviors you're
setting your people up to burn out, and that is a
betrayal of their trust. And before you think, "Oh I
don't expect my people to work like I work," stop. your
behavior is telling them that you do, indeed, expect
that. As the old adage says, "actions speak louder
than words." Ask yourself, "would I really recommend
someone for a promotion that works fewer hours than
I do or doesn't respond to emails after hours?"
A commitment to your organization's mission does not
require that it be an unhealthy relationship with work.
We cannot do our best work without rest. None of us
can. Our bodies require it, our minds require it, and
our spirits require it. To deny ourselves that rest is
WORk AddICTIOn ≠ WORk EThIC
