Rest, renewal & the global situation

When you drive a big rig, the time you drive and rest is regulated for safety reasons.

When you fly a plane, the time you fly and rest is regulated for safety reasons.

When you’re a senior leader making decisions that affect 1,000s, maybe 100,000s, of people – employees and customers and communities – you can, and likely do, work many more hours than the 40 hour, 5 day standard work week [at least that's what it is here in Quebec, Canada].

I recently read a post  - ”How to accomplish more by doing less” - that brought the implications of this to my mind again. Here Tony Shwartz talks about the absence of regular rest and renewal during the day and a good night sleep on individual performance.  And, that made me wonder about the impact it’s having on the quality of thinking and decisions that are being taken by leaders who are are working 60+ hour weeks. Not getting breaks or lunches away from their desks. Working evenings and weekends because they are in meetings from 8 to 6 or later each and every day. Not taking vacations.

Could inadequate rest and renewal have led to our current global economic and political situation?

How can we help our organizations focus and prioritize?

Do less [but more of the right things]. Do it well. And maybe we can change the world!

Tags: Cultural norms, Culture change, Tony Shwartz, Work