Executive Burnout? Here's the Cure

You know you've spent too much time at the office in your life when one day you're in the kitchen with your wife and you ask her, " Honey, where are the kids?" and she answers, " They have all moved out."

How much is too much? How much are you willing to give for "the company?" While it is understandable to do what is necessary to make a living,or in some cases, an executive income, at what price? Is it worth your life? In some cases, literally? This is not a game, it is not a joke.

In times of trouble, it is a totally natural tendency of average executives to take on a massive workload and much more responsibility than is sometimes humanly possible. Today's economic world is hyper-competitive, not to mention ailing. It is very easy for an executive to fall into " I have to save the company" or even worse, "I have to work harder to save my job" mode. But the toll can be heavy. Many executives are workaholics anyway, but in these times trying to do more can have a highly stressful and damaging effect on the other relationships that we have in our lives. How many times do you want to tell your kids that you can't go to their game, school event, recital, etc. because you have to work? How painful is that for you? Is it really worth whatever you are getting in compensation? As the famous commercial says, some things in life really are priceless.

I am now pushing 50. ( I'm 48 actually, but trying to mentally prepare myself for the big five-oh. ) My wife and I have four kids, all grown and on their own. Without going into the nitty gritty, we are raising our grand daughter and have been since the day she was born. While the reason why is not pleasurable, the actual raising of her is a joy beyond description. It is a total hoot. I will admit however, that chasing and playing around with a 4 year old is a bit more challenging physically when one is approaching 50, than at 20-25 years old. But a total joy nonetheless. Why do I bring this up? Because I work from home, I am able to enjoy moments with her that I was never able to with my kids because I was "at the office." I am able to take and pick her up from school. Might as well enjoy it now, because there will come a day in the future that I am sure that she won't want Gramps picking her up. ( I'm talking the teen years, quite obviously.) How much is that worth?

So what do I feel is the cure for executive burnout? Simple, quit your job and work from home in direct sales. How's that for therapy? Probably not what you were expecting. I speak with executives everyday and can literally hear them screaming for help or a way out. The problem is the "there's only so much to go around" mentality that rules the world. There is enough abundance and resources in the world for everyone but for some reason we've been taught in this country that we have to "go get it",be a "go getter", "win,win,win", that "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing". All of this implies that to get ours, we have to take it from someone else. What a shame. I played football and the Lombardi quote of "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" was ingrained in us from the time I started playing at 8 years old. For the record, Lombardi was not the first to make that statement. What's more, he always regretted saying it. He did not like being perceived as a win-at-all-costs coach. Instead, he hoped to convey the message that preparation and the will to win were the essence of football and, to some extent, life.

Fortunately, many executives that I talk with start to see the bigger picture after a bit of conversation. The skill sets that a person needs to be super successful in direct sales have already been developed by these execs. The work ethic is there, as well as the time management and other skills necessary for success. I work with many former managers, executives and salespeople who now work 30 hour weeks, instead of 60-80 hours per week. And they earn more money now than they ever did as burned out executives. Did I mention they now have time to enjoy the priceless things that life has to offer? Like being able to take a beautiful, wondrous 4 year old to school? If that is not worth the price of admission and making a change in your life, I feel sorry for you. If you're going to keep grinding away for "the company" and put yourself in an early grave, call me, I know a good therapist. And a life insurance agent, you're family is going to need it.

To your success.

P.S. - If you want to continue down the road of corporate misery that leads to an early grave and missing out on the truly priceless moments that life has to offer, at least learn how to manage your stress.Don't say I didn't try to help.