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BLOG>10/1-31/05 BURNOUT
(Values Issues)
What does it mean to have values issues with your work relationship? Do you experience dishonesty within the organization and among your colleagues? Has the corporate mentality led to destructive behaviors, to employees or society? Do you find your work meaningless and pointless? Then you might have experienced values problems in the work place. So
what's a worker to do?
Maintain integrity. When you are being pulled in many directions, it is difficult, but your honesty and integrity should not be for sale. Promote constructive, positive behaviors at all time. It may run counter to management, but positive and constructive always outweighs destructive. Find meaning. if it can't be done in the workplace, find it outside. If your work is truly meaningless, then it might be time for another line of work. (See
September
5th, September
12th, September
19th, September
26th, October
3rd, October
10th, & October
17th for more of this series)
Sunday
Feature (Sabbath Practices)
[Read Wayne Muller- Sabbath- Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest ] Revisiting a book that I reviewed in September, and mentioned at the beginning of the month. Thought I might share another sabbath practice. "The Wealth of Companionship" (p. 118) mentions the practice of having friends and confidantes during times of difficulty. Do you have someone you can call when feeling low or stressed? Do you have someone outside of the workplace or home that can be with you in a time of need? This might be the best practice you can have on a "sabbath", to make that call or send an email or letter to that person who can be there for you. SPORTS
SATURDAY (4 Games and out)
It happened on both sides of the pond. The championships for professional baseball in Japan and the USA were both decided in four games. My favorite teams in both series were eliminated without so much as a whimper. The only persons that I had much knowledge of on the winning teams were the managers. Basically, a very short week for championship baseball. So what does The Leisure Guy think? It is time to get serious about college football for a few weeks, watch my favorite teams get beat into oblivion, to prepare for the sport that I really enjoy watching: NCAA Basketball. Here in Japan, we don't get to see many games, and the ones we do are replays from two weeks before, but it is college basketball. I spent too much time in ACC schools not to love the sport, and have been to see way too many games to get away from it entirely. November is just around the corner, and things are looking up for the Duke Blue Devils now that football season is just about over. For
Your Health Friday (Tips for Being Active)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this: "There are 1440 minutes in a day, schedule 30 for physical activity." I ran across a page on their site entitled: Physical Activity for Everyone: Making Physical Activity Part of Your Life: Tips for Being More Active. A long title for an article, and the material is not that unique, but hey, it is run by the U.S. government. Here are a few of the tips: Get
on or off the bus several blocks away.
Take
the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
Play
with children or pets. Everybody wins. If you find it too difficult
to be active after work, try it before work.
Take
fitness breaks-walking or doing desk exercises-instead of taking cigarette
or coffee breaks.
It is Friday, hope you have stayed active today. NO
STRESS THURSDAY (Took a short break)
For the past few days I have been in Hong Kong with my son. He is on Fall Break, and it was time for a little relaxation, and a little learning about the world he lives in. We chose Hong Kong because I have some friends there that would offer free housing, and it is seeing parts of China without the stress of dealing too much in another language. In our short trip, we visited Macau and saw the beauty of a Portuguese settled colony. A taste of Europe in the South China Sea. We saw the world's largest free standing Buddha and visited at a famous Buddhist monastery for awhile. We marveled at some of the cheapest and most efficient public transportation in the world, and rode the world's longest set of escalators. Not to mention, saw a couple hundred Starbucks and checked email along the way. Here are a few thoughts on holiday stress: 1)
Staying in touch is getting easier all the time. My last trip to Hong
Kong two years ago I found it very difficult to stay in touch by email.
This time, much easier. Now the airport has cheap broadband wireless
access that allowed me to work as if I were in the office.
2)
Good, reliable public transportation is key to a tourist destination.
I was less stressed than I have ever been on a foreign trip because
of this benefit.
3)
Excellent, inexpensive food is also a key to a good destination. Hong
Kong is a great place to drink and dine. Making it a very stress free
location.
TAKE
BACK YOUR TIME DAY
I am going to take a break today from Burnout, and look at Take Back Your Time Day. Things
are happening all over the USA-- go to schedule
From the website: TIME STRESS HURTS ALL OF US IN DIFFERENT WAYS Time
stress threatens our health. It leads to fatigue, accidents and injuries.
It reduces time for exercise and encourages consumption of calorie-laden
fast foods. Job stress and burnout costs the U.S. economy more than
$300 billion a year.
Time stress threatens our marriages, families and relationships as we find less time for each other, less time to care for our children and elders, less time to just hang out. It
weakens our communities. We have less time to know our neighbors, supervise
our young people, and volunteer.
It reduces employment as fewer people are hired and then required to work longer hours, or are hired for poor part-time jobs without benefits. It leaves many of us with little time to vote, much less be informed, active citizens. It leaves us little time for ourselves, for self-development, or for spiritual growth. It leads to growing neglect and abuse of pets. It even contributes to the destruction of our environment. Studies show that lack of time encourages use of convenience and throwaway items and reduces recycling. It's Monday-take back your time if you can. SUNDAY
FEATURE (Working on Sunday)
I grew up in the Deep South in the USA during a time when Blue Laws were as prevalent as dry counties. In my home town, there were few businesses that opened on Sunday, and only in the past ten years has that been challenged. People didn't work on Sunday (except for preachers and church staff) and it was an accepted part of the culture. Over the years, those Blue Laws were diminished, and the further you got away from small town America, the more diminished they were. My last couple of years in the Charlotte, NC area proved that Blue Laws were about dead. There was basically nothing I couldn't do on Sunday that i did every other day of the week. I was intrigued that Australians were dealing with the problem this week. [Read Sunday work 'doesn't work' ] Their statistics show that people who work on Sundays spend two hours less time with family each week than those who don't. More info from the article: "Sunday was a traditional day for special family meals; the most common day for exercise, hiking and bushwalking; that people were twice as likely to play sport and three times more likely to attend a sporting event on Sunday than any weekday; and people were five times more likely to visit entertainment and cultural venues than on a Monday." Even though Sundays do not have the Christian significance that they once did, it is still a practical day for rest and relaxation. Working a Sunday away is not good for us or our families and there is statistical evidence to back it up. Think I'll try to avoid work. SATURDAY
SPORTS (Post Season Baseball)
It is that time of year again. Both The World Series and The Japan Series are starting this weekend. My team, the Atlanta Braves, were out of it early, after clinching a division title for 14 straight seasons. My other team, the Hanshin Tigers, have made it to the Japan Series for the second time in the five season I have been in Japan. This year in the USA I like the match-up, though no one would have predicted at the first of the year that the Astros and the White Sox would be a final series contest. This year's series in Japan is a great match-up with the Tigers who are the second favorite team in the country versus the Marines who scrapped their way to a Pacific League title, and who are managed by an American who is popular across the country. After
watching baseball for nearly 40 years, here are a few impressions of
this 2005 post season:
It
does my heart good to see old guys like Roger Clements still playing
the game they love and still worthy of being called "the Rocket."
I enjoy baseball played by a group of nobodies with great skills. You look at the rosters of the Astros and the White Sox, and there are just a few names that will be Hall of Fame candidates. Being away for the past five years, I was hard pressed to recognize but a handful of the names. Here in Japan, I know even fewer of the players, but I have seen them play and they are solid athletes. The foreign players for both squads have had great seasons, and though they may not have had a major league contract this season, most of them are capable of playing every day in the USA. For
Your Health Friday (Even Young Guys Suffer)
Just when you thought that the stress and strains of the workplace were the domain of middle aged guys, there is evidence to suggest that it also affects younger workers too. Researchers in Finland discovered in a study of 1000 young adults that those who complained of job stress were more likely to have a narrowing of the arteries and showing signs of developing heart disease in their early thirties. The study involved answering questionnaires and undergoing ultrasound scans of the carotid arteries. The average age of the group was 32 years old, and there was a statistically significant link between those reporting increased job strain with thicker artery walls. Men who reported high job strain were more likely to show signs of arteriosclerosis. There have been a number of studies that have shown a link between job strain and heart disease, but there is no evidence that there is a causal link. Stress is often linked to poor behaviors that have causal links to heart disease such as poor diet and lack of exercise. So
what's a young person to do? Here are a few suggestions to keep heart
disease at bay in the midst of a stressful life:
Eat well. Avoid high fat diets and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Exercise, exercise, exercise.Get as much as possible, and keep moving whenever possible. Quantity is more important than intensity based on recent studies. Relax when possible. Get a good night's sleep. Take regular breaks to breathe deeply and give the mind a break. NO
STRESS THURSDAY (Give your mind a break)
You exercise right to keep your body in shape. You eat well in order to remain healthy. When was the last time you did something for your mind to keep it healthy and stress free? [Read article Don't let stress be a strain ] One in four people, according to Scottish Mental Health statistics, will develop some kind of mental health issue over a lifetime. Taking care of the brain/mind is important for mental health. It is a fact: what might be good for one person may not be for another. Reading might do the trick for some, and might be full of stress for another. Taking a day in the woods might be perfect for you, and terrible for another. What works for you? Things that work for most people include: exercise, music therapy, and relaxation. What could you do today to improve your mental health? I chose to walk and take the train today in order to make an appointment and it made a big difference in my overall feeling. Fresh fall air, brisk walking, 45 minutes of uninterrupted silence--heavenly. HUMP
DAY HUMOR (Cartoons)
What can I say, I don't draw, but I can usually find some good cartoons on line--try these for your stressful day: Work/Life
Balance (Take Back Your Time Day is next Monday)
Here are a couple things you can do to get ready: This October 24th marks the 65th anniversary of the enactment of the 40 hour work week. Last week we sent out a press release calling attention to the anniversary and this year's theme for Take Back Your Time Day: 40 IS ENOUGH! Download the press release, make some copies and carry them with you to hand out on Take Back Your Time Day! If you haven't sent it to your local media, do it today! "40 IS ENOUGH!" PRESS RELEASE: If you want other ideas, check out the "50 PLUS PRETTY QUICK THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR TAKE BACK YOUR TIME DAY" handout. "50
PLUS PRETTY QUICK THINGS YOUCAN DO FOR TAKE BACK YOUR TIME DAY":
BURNOUT
(Fairness Issues)
What
does it mean to have fairness issues with your work relationship?
Do
you feel a lack of respect at work? Do you feel discriminated against
because of something you have no control over (race, gender, disability,
etc.)? Do you see favoritism and nepotism in the workplace? Do people
"brownnose" and suck up" to the boss? If so, you know
something about fairness issues.
Suggestions: Address
instances of disrespect and do not let them fester or be pushed aside
Make
formal complaints when necessary
Value
diversity and differences in the workplace and among colleagues
Push
for training in the workplace if necessary
Promote
openness and transparency in internal procedures
(See September 5th, September 12th, September 19th, September 26th, October 3rd, & October 10th for more of this series--more next week on Values Issues) SUNDAY
FEATURE (Monday Creep)
I
have observed it for some time now, the Monday morning blues arrive
earlier and earlier all the time. In decades past, in the churches I
served and attended, Sunday evening was reserved for church and youth
group activities. And after 25+ years working with churches, Sunday
evening activities are often an exception. I was reminded of that yesterday
as I was gathered with folks at a fellowship event on Sunday afternoon
at 5 PM, wondering to myself: "When was the last time I did this?"
Sunday
afternoon is the last of the weekend for the majority of my families,
and it is time to begin grinding toward Monday. Quiet dinners at home,
setting the weekly agendas and calendars, and chilling out before Monday
comes along is the normal Sunday evening for many of the folks I know.
I
have no problem whatsoever with that line of thinking. For busy families,
it is often the only evening in the week that they are all together
and not on the move somewhere. There is a sense of sabbath in just saying
no to extra activity. I am supportive of this positive use of Sunday
evening.
I
awoke this morning and discovered a news story entitled: Stress
of manic Mondays creeps to Sunday. When Monday encroaches
on Sunday evening, then we might have some trouble.
Some
helpful suggestions from the article:
Plan
a light schedule for Mondays so that there is no need to work on Sunday.
Plan
something fun to look forward to on Mondays (lunch, evening activity)
Take
a Monday off occasionally
Begin
planning the next weekend on Sunday night
SATURDAY
SPORTS (Youth Sports Burnout)
I've written on it before (see September 3), ran across another article this week on youth sports burnout. [Read Keeping burnout at bay-Overscheduling, over-training can turn kids from the sports they love] What
do you think about a 14 year old who plays five competitive sports during
the year and has to change uniforms in the car from one game to another?
I have known 12 and 13 year olds who participated in three soccer leagues
at the same time (Saturday AYSO, Sunday Traveling Club, and Wednesday
Indoor Soccer) which meant seven days a week playing soccer. I thought
that was a little obsessive.
Article quote:
Researchers
say that over 50% of youth athletes drop out before adolescence, some
from burnout. Some because they never enjoyed the sports in the first
place.
In a country where obesity levels are increasing, and fitness levels decreasing, the USA needs to find a way to keep youth and adults in sports for a lifetime. SATURDAY SPORTS (Youth Sports Burnout) I've written on it before (see September 3), ran across another article this week on youth sports burnout. [Read Keeping burnout at bay-Overscheduling, over-training can turn kids from the sports they love] What do you think about a 14 year old who plays five competitive sports during the year and has to change uniforms in the car from one game to another? I have known 12 and 13 year olds who participated in three soccer leagues at the same time (Saturday AYSO, Sunday Traveling Club, and Wednesday Indoor Soccer) which meant seven days a week playing soccer. I thought that was a little obsessive. Article quote:
Researchers say that over 50% of youth athletes drop out before adolescence, some from burnout. Some because they never enjoyed the sports in the first place. In a country where obesity levels are increasing, and fitness levels decreasing, the USA needs to find a way to keep youth and adults in sports for a lifetime. For Your Health Friday (Just Get Up and Moving) [Read Exercise amount more important than intensity ] So researchers have got good evidence that exercise, even without great intensity is good for us. Walk 12 miles briskly in 120-200 minutes (3.6-5.7 miles per hour) will significantly improve aerobic fitness and lower the risks for heart disease. Anything beyond 12 miles, or beyond that intensity level will only increase the benefits. An important quote:
The study participants did not alter diet at all. Those who exercised with the least intensity maintained their weight through the study, and those who exercised with the most length/intensity did not improve any more than moderate exercisers. That's good news for all of us. It's Friday, get up and moving. NO STRESS THURSDAY (Need a vacation?) Today was a stressful day on my side of the planet. Lots of things going, lots of issues in the air. Didn't feel like writing, but one of those faithful readers reminded me that he actually looks forward to my posts, so I thought Iwould write something. I ran across this article from the People for a Shorter WorkWeek folks, and since I need a short vacation, and since it is not vacation season, I decided I better share it: [Read Getting Away From It All ] The author shares some helpful hints on making the best of what time you have: Don't worry about meltdown back home. If it happens, ignorance is bliss. I once new a guy who did not check in during his vacation and he came back to his business closed and guarded by FBI agents who had traced illegal activity back to one of his employees. H e said that he was glad he didn't call home because he would have missed two great rounds of golf at Hilton head. Be open to surprises. I had friends who rented a mountain cottage one summer and discovered that this cottage was actually a shed with an outhouse. They asked for their money back from the landlord since they had been lied to about the quality, and they ended up staying in an upscale hotel with a vacancy. They were the only ones in the place who did not have formal clothes for dinner, but they didn't care. I'm going to make the best of the time I have this evening. I am going to get some sleep. HUMP DAY HUMOR (You know you have been on the job too long...) [ See10 Signs That You Stayed Too Long On The Job ] My top 3 of their 10:
I found the top ten list listed under "stress humor." As I read them, I realized they weren't thaat funny. In fact, they seeemed pretty realistic and sad. Seen it happen to soome of my friends. Here are a few that I think might be funnier: You have been on the job too long when...
WORK/LIFE BALANCE (Living 5 to 9) Two weeks ago I wrote about Take Back Your Time Day (October 24th). Today I am writing about a corporate sponsorship of that day. Beringer Wines has a site- Living 5 to 9- that promotes that time away from work. Living
5 to 9 Philosophy Something I learned at the site: Did
You Know... Take some time and check out this very good site. BURNOUT (Community/Group Issues) [Recommended
reading-Banishing
Burnout What does it mean to have community/group issues with your work relationship? Is the workplace full of conflict and divisiveness? Are there distinct groups and adversarial situations prevalent in the office? Do you feel that you are out of the loop and are not getting the information you need to get the job done? Is there a lack of transparency between managers and workers? Is there a feeling of being alone or alienation among co-workers? These all point to issues that would be considered community/group issues. These issues usually cannot be solved by one-sided solutions. It involves changes within the organization and community to make a difference. Here are some suggestions on how to improve community issues that foster burnout:
(See September 5th, September 12th, September 19th, September 26th & October 3rd for more of this series--more next week on Fairness Issues) SUNDAY FEATURE (Sabbath Practices) Here is my average Sunday schedule: Wake about 6:30 AM, get partially prepared for Sunday morning at the church, take a shower and eat breakfast before arriving at church at 7:45 AM. Work on all of the projects necessary for worship at 9:00 AM. Two worship services and church meetings from 9 AM until 12:30 PM. After church activities until 1:30 PM and arrive at home about 1:45 PM. The afternoon is spent doing various things. There is the usual correspondence and email with friends and family. Usually some conversations and visits with church folks. A few emails and tasks for church. But my favorites are these two sabbath style activities: a nap and reading the Sunday paper. The nap comes easy, I just need to close my eyes for five minutes, and an hour later I am waking up. The couch is the place. Nothing special, nothing over planned. Just a nap. Reading the paper is more of a ritual. I usually take a few minute walk down to the artificial river that runs through my little island community. I have a favorite park bench, I bring a cold drink, and I read those 24 pages of the Daily Yomiuri that keep me posted on what is happening in the world. It is not a thick paper, but there is not one single sale flyer, and I like that. It does not have Saturday sports included since it was printed while afternoon games were still in progress in the USA (I wait for Monday for those), and it usually has more international news than most Sunday papers in the USA. Sunday evening begins with dinner and is spent relaxing with movie or some TV. Though a good bit of the day is spent in work, I always try to spend some in relaxation. What does your Sunday look like? SATURDAY SPORTS (What were you doing when you were 15?) The news was filled this week with stories about the fifteen-year-old golfer, Michelle Wie, turning pro. With the stroke of a pen, this high school kid became $10 million richer with an endorsement package with Nike. Without having to quit school, she is poised to make millions more each year in appearance fees with an abbreviated schedule. She is basically set for life before she can legally become an LPGA Tour member at age eighteen. What were your doing at fifteen? Let's see, a good day on the golf course at fifteen for me was when I broke 90. It happened a few times before I finished high school. I worked real hard, and broke 80 when I was around 40, and decided that life was too short to let golf consume that much of my life, now breaking 90 would be a stellar day once again. Michelle Wie is six feet and one inches tall. I was still under six feet at fifteen, and hoping for a growth spurt. I read somewhere that she doesn't like to go the gym or workout. She and I had that in common. She has already appeared on the cover of many magazines, and has paparazzi. At fifteen I made enough money doing part-time jobs to buy a magazine every now and then. Both she and i have had our picture in Sports Illustrated (this is true). Back in 1987, I interviewed Bob Horner for a Japanese television company and sure as the world I became famous among friends and colleagues for making it into print. Michelle Wie is now endorsing Nike products at age fifteen; when I was fifteen, Nike was a fledgling company beginning to sell shoes. I was dreaming of driving and owning my own car (which I finally got for $400), Wie probably has a similar dream, but her iPod that will be installed in the car will cost $400. You are saying, that guy is jealous. I'm thinking, one day Michelle Wie will be envious of the summer before my junior year when i was on the beach frequently, didn't have to work that hard, and not once did I have a 7:42 tee time. For Your Health Friday (How healthy is your physician?) In my regular hunt for stories about stress, burnout and healthy living, I ran across this story from Australia: It is well known that doctors, dentists and other health care practitioners suffer from stress and burnout. There are many stories out there about drug and alcohol abuse among health professionals, and there is no doubt that stress causes havoc in helping professions. I would like to think that my GP is healthy, and is taking the same precautions he asks me to take. I once had a family doctor who complained that I was overweight and that I should lose five pounds. I looked at this guy who was carrying fifty extra pounds and would say--"Doc, if you will lose five, I will lose five." This is the same guy that suggested I eat less red meat because of heart and cancer risks, and he would smoke two packs of cigarettes a day. I was glad to find another physician when I moved to another community. NO STRESS THURSDAY (Value of a good spouse) Venting to a sympathetic partner can be good for your health. A study of 216 males and females ages 40 to 65 that monitored daily blood pressure for a year discovered that having a supportive spouse could actually lower the affects of job stress. The researchers analyzed blood pressure measurements and questionnaires about job stress and marital support and discovered that job stress can be mediated by a supportive home environment. A person with high job stress and low spousal support would see an average increase of 2.8mmHg of systolic blood pressure over the year. On the other hand, a person with a high stress job and a supportive spouse, saw an average decrease of 2.5mmHg over the year. Though the increase/decrease seems small, the cumulative effect over a period of years can be substantial. [Read Hard day? It'll be OK and A supportive spouse soothes stress ] HUMP DAY HUMOR (My kind of pre-flight routine) Feeling lazy today, thought I would pass along a little humor that came my way this week (thanks to that contingent of folks in the Mid-South). I am not sure of the source, not sure of its truth, not worried about it. Take it as something to get through Wednesday... Wouldn't
you love to have this attendant on your next flight Thanks to WORK/LIFE BALANCE (Shorter Work Time Group) I belong to a mailing list that gives me regular updates on what is happening in the news related to a shorter work week policies. You can read the archives of the list at: Shorter Work Time. A couple of posts this week caught my attention, one mentioned an online article: Six Policies to Improve Productivity Growth in Canada One paragraph, in particular, from Andrew Sharpe, Executive Director of Centre of Living Standards given to a government committee:
How does this fit with your personal experience? Are you more productive with a shorter week? Can you imagine your boss considering a 35 hour work week? BURNOUT (Reward Issues) [Recommended
reading-Banishing
Burnout What does it mean to have reward problems with your work relationship? These are some of the easiest to spot issues for people in workplace. Do you feel that you are getting paid insufficiently for the work you do? Do you feel lack of recognition for a job well done? Is your work basically unsatisfying and maybe a little boring? Then you know about reward issues. Note that only one of those three questions had to do with money. Rewards come to workers in many ways, and financial compensation is just one piece of the pie. There are many responses that can be taken toward reward issues through changes in attitude and behaviors of the individual and the organization. Here are some suggestions: Financial compensation comes in various forms of benefits that may not have the same value as a salary, but may be added value. An excellent health insurance program that covers dental and optometry can be worth huge amounts in actual benefit. Location of the company to home and the availability of parking/public transportation (e.g. I would generally take less money to have less commute and easier access to the office). Tuition reimbursement for employees and family are excellent incentives. Negotiating a contract that includes alternative forms of compensation can work for the employee and the employer. Recognition comes in various forms. Some are controlled by the employer, others by the employee. It is important that an employee keep track of his/her accomplishments because rarely is anybody else doing that. I make it a point to look over my resume on a regular basis. I try and add new accomplishments when possible, but also to remember where I have have been. It is also important to recognize co-workers achievements. Celebrating with them is not only good for the group, but good for you as an individual. Making work more satisfying may be difficult, but there are certainly elements under an individual's control. Always try to increase participation in the things you enjoy about your job, and decrease involvement in the things you don't. The less enjoyable factors never go away, but they can be tempered by a strong emphasis on the fun stuff. Try changing the way a less enjoyable job is done. Rather than spending three straight days working on that report, break it up over a month. Rather than doing the job alone, ask members of the team to help make this an enjoyable experience for all. In the end, work that is intrinsically motivating and satisfying is best for the individual and the company. Businesses and people dedicated to high quality will seek these things. (See September 5th, September 12th, September 19th & September 26th for more of this series--more next week on Community/Group Issues) Sunday Feature (Sabbath Practices) [Read
Wayne
Muller- Sabbath- Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest (see review from September 18th ) One of the intriguing things about the book are the Sabbath practices scattered throughout. One of Muller's recommendations was to institute a Sabbath meal. Consider setting aside an evening on the weekend when everything comes to a standstill, and the family sits down and eats a meal together. A sabbath meal is designed to make eating a lengthy and pleasant experience. Lots of talking, numerous courses and a celebrities atmosphere. What meal would you serve if you were preparing a family feast for tonight? What preparations would be made to avoid excessive worries on the day of celebration? How would you extend this meal to others and make this celebration more than just a family affair? For Your Health Weekend (Mental Health Days) I decided yesterday to take a day for my mental health. No blogging. Turned out to be a great day. Good for my mental health, ultimately for my physical health. I looked back over the past few months and I have written over 100,000 words in my free time on a subject that I thoroughly enjoy reading about and researching. So, every now and then I will take a day off and enjoy. I have read a good bit lately about the structure of sick leave in American companies. Many companies have gone to lumping sick leave and paid leave into one package. Fine if you are healthy, but what happens when you have a lengthy illness? There goes your vacation time. I once had a job that allowed for personal days. Three per year, no questions asked. Just take them and go on about your business. I am not sure that these still exist anywhere, but they were great. I remember folks bragging that they never took theirs, I always enjoyed mine. One mental health day, I played thirty six holes of golf on a Tuesday and walked the entire course by myself, since everybody else was at work. It was exhilarating. I remember taking a mental health day for caddying at a US Open qualifying round for a friend. It may have been strenuous carrying a golf bag for seven hours, but I was charged mentally, and got to see some of the best golf of my life. On another mental health day, I lazed in my living room and read a couple of books and napped. It was one of the best Fridays I can ever remember. So, what would you do with a mental health day? How would you take a mental health day given your current work benefits, etc.? I am fortunate to have a very flexible work schedule and work at all times of day and during the weekends, so I have more options than most. Are you allowed compensatory time after a long week of overtime? Are you allowed to take a vacation day without scheduling it? Are you self-employed and can just take the time? Do something good for yourself-take a mental health day when you can. |
© 2005, Mike Stanton-Rich and Seatomypants Productions
by Leiter and Maslach]