(CC) Linds Redding
Although you might not do creative work as Redding did, chances are good that you’ll recognize passages like this:
It turns out I didn’t actually like my old life nearly as much as I thought I did. I know this now because I occasionally catch up with my old colleagues and work-mates. They fall over each other to enthusiastically show me the latest project they’re working on. Ask my opinion. Proudly show off their technical prowess (which is not inconsiderable.) I find myself glazing over but politely listen as they brag about who’s had the least sleep and the most takaway food. “I haven’t seen my wife since January, I can’t feel my legs any more and I think I have scurvy but another three weeks and we’ll be done. It’s got to be done by then The client’s going on holiday. What do I think?”
When did sleeplessness and time away from loved ones become something to brag about? Why do so many of us wait until we receive a life-threatening diagnosis to get perspective on what actually matters?
More importantly, what are you doing today to protect your work-life alignment, health and longevity?
