Crazy Busy and Proud of it

After much anticipation, my wife and daughter finally got their new kitten, Stanley.  Watching this ball of energy chase its tail reminded me of a recent article in The Harvard Business Review called “Crazy Busy: The New Status Symbol.”

In summary, Americans don’t respect leisure time.

In the old world order, leisure was a status symbol.  Today, according to research shared in the article a lack of leisure time causes “one to be held in high regard.” To me, this is backwards.  Poor organization, lack of delegation, not being surrounded by a top notch team, and/or not leveraging technology are common causes of a crazy busy life.

Michael Gerber, author of the eMyth, states “work should give life, not take it.” I agree.  Every year, we take an extended spring break.  When working, I have two standing days a week that I work from home allowing me to enjoy little things like lunch with my wife or talking with my kids while doing a school drop off or pick up.

There are times where I have “crunch time.” But whether for me or those who work with me, if crunch time is all the time, it loses its meaning.

Work smart!

Keep calm and carry on: Five essential business practices

Pollsters continually report that Americans never have been more divided about how to run the country. Apparently, we even disagree about important political or economic facts.

No matter where you might fall along the political divide, I’m guessing most of us agree that business leaders should put politics aside (at work anyway) and focus on the fundamentals of running our operations.

Think of this article as a “Keep Calm and Carry On” basic business primer. The principles I’m going to share are what I consider to be the most important core building blocks for business leadership.

Read Keep calm and carry on: Five essential business practices at The Business Journal’s website.