I watched a news report this AM as I prepared for my day, the work day AND the work week has increased in the last 30 years. We work an approximate 5 weeks more per year than we did back then. The statement was made that it took the unions 20 years to get the work week to 40 hours, it took the smartphone less than 5 to make it 24/7. Without seeing the numbers, my opinion about all of the recent gains in productivity was actually a combination of better technology AND working more hours. Doctors say we are working ourselves to death!
I encourage my people to get away. I can honestly say that in 10 years I have never denied a vacation request, except for myself. I do try to unplug, through volunteering and my officiating youth swimming & diving. It helps get myself out of the mindset of work. But sometimes you have to go the extra mile, get away from everything that you usually do and try something new. I turned over a new leaf awhile back. Last summer it was cruising on a houseboat for an extended weekend. This weekend, it is going north (yes, where it is even colder) and doing some snowmobiling. I haven’t been on one since I was a teenager and am excited to re-live that experience. What are you doing this weekend that will totally detach you?
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