Work Hard, Rest Hard

I used to think "working hard and playing hard" was the appropriate stoic mentality I needed to get ahead and win at life. But after a dozen years into the game of adulting, some of the dust has settled about how winning is defined. And as the title of this post suggests, red-lining week after week is not what I'd suggest for those wanting to become the best version of themselves.

Here is what working hard and playing hard was for me. I would wake at 04:45am on the weekdays to either strength train or go on a 17 mile bike ride. When I arrived at work - at 8:00am - I was responsible to bill 90% of my time which really meant non-stop clicking and typing in a merit-worthy sedentary fashion. I'd get home around 7pm. Dinner and clean up took me to 9pm, where I got about an hour of stillness prior to involuntarily passing-out.  My weekends, when I wasn't working, were littered with high-energy entertainment as social norms seemed to encourage. I broke out the booze all weekend. Whether it was at the casino, at a college football tailgate, over poker or just at home - I blurred my way through my time off - often battling hang overs and eating junky food - only to return to Monday's morning. I believed this is what winning was. This lifestyle lasted roughly 5 years. 

It wasn't until began working for another employer that my routine and perspective changed. I even began to believe that my new perspective would be automatically adopted by all those around me because of how natural the shift felt.. to me. But I was wrong. 

Recently, I interviewed with a 60 year old executive of an engineering firm where he prided himself on grinding all week, schmoozing every night and getting blitz all weekend on single-malt scotch. Charming. During our conversation he actually suddenly fell out of his chair because he had fallen asleep from 35 years of working and playing hard. Just kidding but he did look like he had a few medical conditions that spawned from his lifestyle. And he was, generally, an overbearing ass.  Mr. Exec clearly made a career name for himself - but should his lifestyle be the path to personal and professional accomplishments? IMO - nah bro. If I may, I'd like to suggest the phrase be rephrased to "Work Hard, Rest Hard" or preferably "Work Smart, Play Golf". Needless to say, I declined his offer.

Each morning we wake up with a finite amount of energy before we need to recharge our bodies and minds - just like our beloved cell phones. Not convinced? Trying staying awake... forever. We all hit a point - regardless of the amount of coffee or other stimulants we suck down - where we simply have to rest and recharge. Still think resting is for chumps and the lazy? When you don't give your mind and body the rest it needs, it'll result in cognitive impairment - which would adversely impact accomplishing whatever goals you've set. Or as expressed in a metaphoric fashion - trying to eat a sandwich in one bite seems like a poor approach to satisfying hunger.

But as I continue to witness - from the sideline - how this work hard, play hard philosophy survives, it appears that its players hang out at the cusp of falling asleep while eating tacos and climbing corporate ladders. So what's the problem with tacos and getting those big promotions? Intuition and creativity are blunted.

Our intuition is arguable our greatest ally and supporter, and here's why. We all have opinions, preferences, sensations and urges - beyond our control. Simple example: I like the color orange and I like boobs. They are both preferences that are out of my control resulting in pleasurable brain stimulation when encountered. Instinctually and without opposition, I am drawn to these things. Others may find orange to be not so joyous, but that's the beauty of it. We are all inspired and drawn - beyond our control - by the plethora of variables in our lives. And when we are inspired, we don't feel resistance but rather an acceleration of positive energy. I don't know what is more exciting than being inspired by [fill in the blank].

With more than half of employees hating their jobs, it seems people are either running away from their intuition or simply are too busy working and playing in worlds that keep them blind to intuition. My suggestion is to begin tapping into that world that is above described as - beyond our control.  The aspirations that are guided from within ourselves lead us to the lives we dream of. It actually makes literal sense. And therefore, and in conclusion, giving ourselves the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual space to listen to our intuition is absolutely paramount - assuming that smiling more than groaning is the goal. 

So the next time someone is promoting their company or brand by saying they work hard and play hard - give it a second look - make sure playing hard doesn't mean going balls to the wall and red-lining your life. Do not let your intuitive sense go dull. Bask in the joy of your universal gifts. Find your balance. Let creativity spark within you. And you shall win at life.