Six weeks in to my tour in Kabul, Afghanistan, I was medically evacuated for mysterious symptoms that turned out to be somatic manifestations of stress. By the end of my tour, Id found a better way to deal with my crazy work environment: I simply quit spending so much time there. I started taking regular breaks (short walks with colleagues, long lunches, early evening workouts) and insisted on getting sufficient rest. I even made more time for socializing with friends on the compound. The less I worked, the more I got done, and the higher it was in quality. I was able to approach my job challenges with perspective, and to develop meaningful relationships with people who could help. Its not just true for me. All the studies conclude that humans work better when we can rest, recover, gain perspective, and feel good about the time we spend on the job. Yet in spite of this, most organizations and bosses still cling to the idea that productivity can be approximated by hours worked. I think thats sad for all of us, and Im glad somebody is trying to change it.
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 22:40:08 +0000
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