What's a Reasonable Work Week?

I just read a blog on the Wall Street Journal discussing the mandatory 35 hour work week limit in France. Now that's work life balance! Currently there is a bill being drafted by the President to scrap these limits citing that it would increase France's economic growth. As you can imagine, labor unions are in an uproar about it.

While a 35 hour work week may not be optimal for global competitiveness, a 60 hour work week is also just as detrimental. In a survey on the WSJ's Juggle blog, it reflected that 36% working 50 or more hours per week. 34% work 40-50 hours per week. Only 18% work about 40 hours per week. Another piece to this puzzle is taking regular vacations. There is a positive link between risk of death for middle aged men with a risk of heart disease if annual vacations are taken. For women failing to take a similar break from work can yield increased psychological health risks.

I'm proud to say that for the past three years, I have taken a 8 to 10 day vacation annually. Along with this schedule, I take various one-three day breaks and often build in a day or two break with business travel. I travel on business four to five times per year. From a work week perspective, I have some improvement to do here. I normally rack up 45 to 50 hours per week. If you count some of my work at home time it is probably 50-60 hours per week. I'm afraid to count the hours at home!

We've got to get back to a reasonable work week. Personally, my goal is 45 hours. Can a self-proclaimed workaholic make it to this limit?

Reflections on the Death of Tim Russert

Tim Russert, the anchor of "Meet the Press" died yesterday at age 58. The cause was a heart attack after collasping at work. Wow, did that hit home for me. First of all, he is 10 years older than I am so that's not too far away. He apparently was hard working and one of the top professionals in his field.

I read in one article that he had just arrived back from Rome. He had two hours sleep but felt that this would last him until 10 o'clock that night. Instead he collapsed and is dead.....he never made it to 10 o'clock that night. I thought about how many times I have pushed myself, getting one or two hours of sleep and up the next morning ready to go for the day's meeting. I've even bragged about it as a sign of my tenacity.

As a self-proclaimed workaholic, this is a wake-up call for me. All of the success in world can't outweigh a long life. Although we never know precisely when it is our time, we can start to develop better habits that will perhaps prolong our life. I am guilty of pushing myself well beyond reasonable limits for things that are most often related to work. I do that because I am a driven high achiever. I get the sense that this was a similar profile for Tim Russert. It's time to look at things differently.

Derrick's Married!

Derrick is married! And I have a daughter-in-law. How cool is that? The better part of this year has been spent in preparation for the wedding and now it has come and gone. The real part of marriage begins.

My son's entry in his new role lead to thoughts of marriage in general. It is one of the most complex relationships you will ever experience. The blending of two families can be challenging especially if the values are different. Learning to compromise and come to a consensus on activities are things you may have done at will as a single person takes time. And if you perhaps are a workholic.....well, you either will reform or you may not be married too long. Of course if you married a workholic, this may work out to both your advantages!

And what about the adjustment of the parents? In my case, I was a single parent for a long time and Derrick is my only child. He has a protective sense regarding my well-being and I have to be careful not to abuse this as he now has a wife. I don't mind saying that it's hard as I am so accustomed to calling him for various things. However, I'm adjusting.

My goal is to be a good mother-in-law who does not interfere, minds her own business, and is a support system for both my son and new daughter. I wish them all the best and am looking forward to grandbabies!