It still makes me nervous when I read business leadership books encouraging all of us to make the most out of every day. Stuff like, “Get busy. Today’s opportunities will not be there tomorrow,” or “While you’re snoozing, you’re losing.”
One study published by Harvard showed the average business leader puts in a 72-hour work week (upon further investigation, the same study indicated 21.8 hours of that time was spent in wasted motions like looking at YouTube videos and checking personal emails and social media outlets).
For many years, that was me, working six or seven days a week trying to start or enlarge a bunch of corporations. Who knows, there may be a time and place for such foolishness. No more. At 74, while still playing business leadership in a few companies, I now balance my days with dogs, hikes, community service, friends and a whole lot of other fun-filled activities.
Most of my friends over 65 are still active in the world of work. My advice for all of us is to kick back and recognize it’s our time to play. The business leadership gurus can sell their stuff to a younger generation.
Excuse me. It’s time for my afternoon nap.