Situation: A CEO fills nearly every minute of the day with activity. All are meaningful, and he enjoys the contribution that is made to each. Many activities involve his children and activities important to members of his family. However, because he asks the question there is something that is nagging at him. Is burning the candle at both ends doing harm or creating the legend?
Advice from the CEOs:
- The priority is a positive, healthy lifestyle. Two answers to the group’s questions are in conflict with this.
- Four to five hours of sleep at night is not enough to sustain the current level of activity.
- Medical studies indicate that while some people can get along on 6 hours of sleep per night, most need 7-8. Those who get less than 6 hours on a regular basis are taxing their bodies as well as their psyches
- What does your family think? Are there messages or hints indicating that too much is being taken on or that there isn’t enough time for them. If so, there may be too much on your plate.
- The one person who does not seem to fit into the lifestyle described is your spouse. This individual needs attention – on a regular basis, not on a once-per-week evening out. Comments about too much activity are more likely a request for more quality time.
- Given the importance of this relationship, not just currently but looking out 10-20 years, this indicates a need to reallocate proprieties.
- Do what makes you happy. Each of us is the only person who can really monitor our activities, so each of us must set the metrics.
- Create some monitors to assure that you are not over committing and that you are giving sufficient time to rest and your wife. After all, this is a marathon. It makes no sense to burn out in the first mile!
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