Is Work Killing Us?

I recently read in a management article that Americans have outpaced the Japanese and the Germans in average working hours. In fact, we spend more time on the job than workers in any other industrialized country with the exception of the South Koreans and Czechs. The Familes and Work Institute reports that American males work an average of 49 hours weekly with females working an average of 42 hours.

Karoshi is Japanese for death on the job. While there have been some instances here in America, no patterns or trends have been sought so they have been written off as "isolated." However, it's important to take note because of escalating work hours and being available 24/7 even while at home. We are certain to experience karoshi more in the future. Therefore, it is critical to maintain a proper work/family life balance.....indeed it could mean the difference between life and death.

So how do we do it? Well, it begins as a philosophy by employers coupled with programs and policies designed to support work/family life balance. However, it is also dependent on employees taking advantage of the programs and taking responsibility to manage the balance as well. Successful execution of work/family life balance is a partnership between employer and employee to do what is needed on both sides.

Zip lining in Paradise

Being a self-proclaimed workaholic, a relaxing vacation is a must for me. I don't subscribe to the notion of no vacations. I have to get my batteries recharged! Recently, I went to Kauai, Hawaii better known as the Garden Isle or Paradise. It's the one place that I can go and feel totally relaxed from the rush, rush mentality that we have here on the Mainland.

My niece talked me into zip lining. It sounded both exciting and scary. I thought a few times about bowing out but I can't refuse a challenge. So on Friday of our week long vacation we drove to JustLive to experience soaring in the trees. What an experience it was! We were in these tall Cook County Pine trees for the entire two or three hours. We zipped on lines that were as high as 100 feet in addition to doing a suspension bridge crossing and a rope crossing. It was spectacular. I can't describe the adrenaline and the thrill you feel as you step off of the platform into the air. It is truly phenomenal.

Could zip lining be a little like some of our experiences in life? You encounter an opportunity that intrigues you but is yet a little scary. You want to take a chance but you are hesitant. What happens if you decide to pass up the opportunity and stay in your comfort zone? What happens if you decide to go for it doing something new and different?

I am so glad that I went for it and the result was a new improved perspective.