Avoiding burnout…

I’m almost finished re-reading Mihaly’s book, Good Business. I’m getting a ton more from round two.  Funny, huh.

Today, I pulled out the book and read a couple paragraphs from page 134 to my client.  He stared at me in quasi amazement.  He thought the good Doctor, Mihaly, was writing to him.  Here’s what I read.  I read this because I was trying to give him a recipe and a reason to build the discipline of reflection into his routine.  I’ve added a few bold strokes to emphasize a few particulars…

“Stress is not so much the product of hard work, as it is of having to switch attention from one task to the other without having control over the process.  When person A comes by to discuss his problems, you have to reorganize your mind to see things from his point of view, which is fine.  But when B,C, and D stop in one after the other with their issues, and each requires that you clear your mind of the previous set and refurnish it with the elements of new personalities, and their specific problems, that can take a toll on consciousness quite quickly.  After a few hours, your brain feels like a quivering mass of jelly.  The manger who does NOT set some time aside for reflection EVERY DAY is likely to be headed for burnout.”

There’s a reason that the 20/40/60 is one of the central disciplines of BUILT TO LEAD.  Remember this recipe stands for 20 minutes of reflection, 40 minutes of reading (for your development), and 60 minutes of exercise.  Not once in awhile, not once every other day, not once or twice when you’re on holiday.  The 20/40/60 discipline is to be followed 6 days a week.

20/40/60 is a recipe for avoiding burnout and for energizing you toward it’s opposite…

The passionate pursuit of mastery.  Mastering the art of living.  Who knew that slowing down might actually turn you in the direction of your dream?

Slow down and reflect.

Slow down.

Reflect…