Here is a scary fact for you. In Japan last year, there were over ten thousand reported deaths as a result of overworked and stressed executives. Ten thousand!
You look to corporate America and there is a similar picture. Over 60% of individuals in what are considered executive positions reported feelings of high stress and anxiety on a regular basis. The result – higher health related illnesses and greater levels of absenteeism. I came across a list of signs that you might be in deep water but I’m being kind on you because just looking at it stressed me out.
I came across these nuggets while reading a business mag during some down time on the stunning Isle of Skye. I was preparing to tackle two Munros with some business colleagues and as we set off the next day the group’s high spirits couldn’t quite dispel my reflections that statistically speaking it might not be advisable to be taking the majority of this group to some place high let alone someplace without ready access to psychological support.
Morbid reflections aside, I was struck by the change in everyone, including myself, over the course of the day. The challenges and sights over the course of our ten-hour walk had a transformative effect and even if the thoughts of work were not quite left at the bottom of the mountain they were certainly relegated to the bottom of the rucksacks.
When you are going at 100 miles an hour all the time it can be difficult to take your foot off the gas. Thing is, if you keep going like that, at some point you are going to hit a brick wall with unknown consequences. Avoid the crash and make the time to give yourself a change of scene. You never know what you might see.
If you’re not ready to take off to the hills just yet then one of my executive team ‘helpfully’ flagged up the following - Why Successful People Leave Work Early.
Rumours that the team are all getting laminated copies are greatly exaggerated!
Take time to chill,
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