Accelerate Your Career by Working Less

In a recent Bloomberg Businessweek Interview, Marissa Meyer, CEO, Yahoo!, talked about the value of hard work when she was working at Google. She explained, “Could you work 130 hours in a week? The answer is ‘yes’ if you’re strategic about sleep, when you shower, and how often you go to the bathroom. The nap rooms at Google were there because it was safer to stay in the office than walk to your car at 3 a.m. For my first five years, I did at least one all-nighter a week, except when I was on vacation—and the vacations were few and far between.”

While Marissa Meyer is the epitome of career success, science is telling us that this definition of balancing lifestyle and work is not what equates to a great performer.

• Is working a 130 hour work week a badge of honor?
• When did the phrase “workaholic” become a compliment?
• How did being busy become a status symbol?

Research tells us that taking a break from work is the key to getting ahead in your career. This study, “The Benefits of Mentally Disengaging from Work” proves that when employees detach from work during the evening, they return to work in a more favorable effective state that helps them to perform better during the day.

Many C-Level executives do not have this luxury – the ability to “shut off” their brains and enjoy leisure time. Most business owners and executive’s work 60 – 80 hour work weeks and have little ability to vacation and spend leisure time.

Dr. Sabine Sonnentag of the University of Mannheim, states “However, in this situation, mental disengagement from work is difficult, which decreases the likelihood of recovery and recuperation—a situation that might lead to a downward spiral in which job stressors lead to increasingly severe symptoms of strain when people are unable to experience even temporary detachment from work.”

This might seem like a paradox – to grow in your career by working less.

It is important to take the time to recharge your batteries on a regular basis. In a world of blurred lines between work and personal time with smartphones, laptops, and constant emails; take the time this year to recharge and disengage.

You deserve a life you love!

CFO Strategic Partners is hiring CFO Consultants. We place a high value on a work and life balance, offer competitive pay, professional growth, collaboration, and the ability for CFO executives to work 40 hours per week or less…plenty of time to disengage and recharge your batteries for an optimum life balance!  Visit our Careers page to find out more.