How Less Work Produces Great Work
Posted: December 5, 2007, 11:57 AM by Leslie Grossman
Maybe it's just the time of the year - post Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas/Chanukah - but it seems to me that everything I'm reading is telling me to work less. Or maybe it's just that I took a breath, following my final business trip of the year - approximately 24 roundtrips - but who is counting anyway - to actually listen to the Universe. Now, I'm very fortunate, because most of my business trips are personal rewards. Not too many people get to travel throughout the country meeting fabulous and brilliant business women. However, even with such a rewarding career, there is more to life than intensive travel.
Maybe that's why reading 2 different articles that appeared in Sunday's NY Times resonated with me. Article # 1: "Kiss Your Wife, Not the Blackberry", NY Times, Dec. 2, revealed the CEO of Empower Public Relations, based in Chicago, issued a ban on employee use of their Blackberry after hours and on weekends. He reports that after 10 months, his company is a "happier, more productive" place. Of course, it's important to relate that CEO Samuel Chapman is married to Laura Berman, the sex and relationship expert. I'm sure he didn't come up with this idea on his own. Whatever. It doesn't matter whose idea it was. It just might be a good one. Albeit, a tough one for me to to implement in my own life. But I'm considering it. Would you?
As it is, I presently, do my best not to use my Blackberry in front of my husband (I'm a closet Blackberry addict), because I don't want him to think he is less important than my work. And in fact, he is much more important than my work, as are our children, but just the same, there is a compulsion to initiate and respond when an important thought comes to mind. Now Article #2: "Hobbies Are Rich in Psychic Rewards" NY Times,Dec. 2. Now this one really got me. Do I have a hobby? Gee, I don't think so. There's just too many "have to's" to have a hobby. Well, this article makes a good case for having a hobby. To sum it up, the many coaches and doctors interviewed said that hobbies do many good things that impact our business success, such as, "enhance your creativity, help you think more clearly and sharpen your focus." They also "energize you", "stimlate parts of the brain associated with creative and positive thinking", "enhance self-esteem and self-confidence". By the time I finished reading this article, I started thinking about a hobby. In my case, I don't want a hobby that my husband couldn't enjoy with me, since I travel so much. What could that be? My first thought was dancing lessons a la "Dancing in the Stars". Not a bad idea...after all it's also good exercise. Whoops, there I go again trying to multi-task and give it a purpose. But at least it doesn't relate directly to work. Now do any of you have hobbies? What do you do to increase your creativity and the like?
Please share your hobbies with us at WLE. Maybe it will help us all give up the Blackberry, have some fun and be more effective at work by working less. Please share with all of us at WLE!! Happy Holidays, Leslie
Reader Comments
Posted: December 14, 2007, 10:24 PM by April Mims www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
As I transitioned my career from being an accountant to becoming a life/career coach, I started working with a life coach who really helped me get in touch with my creative side. As an accountant, I never had the opportunity or the need to be creative. Over time, I really felt like my creativity was non-existant. After working with my coach for several months, I have really been able to tap into my "creative juices" and the results have been amazing! I think it has been largely the result of slowing down enough to just think, rather than just doing things.
I have found that I'm particularly creative when I run long distances. Running really clears my head. That clarity allows for the ideas to start flowing. It really is important to find something meaningful to you - something that relaxes you and brings you joy. If you don't instantly know what that is, keep looking and trying new things. Taking dancing lessons sounds like a great idea! At the very least, everyone in the class would get a good laugh from watching me dance!
Have fun and enjoy your life...this is the only one you get!
Posted: December 12, 2007, 07:05 PM by Mary Boggs
Leslie,
Being an insurance broker for 15 years, I felt my creative self had been stifled. I knew I wanted to get back to doing something creative. (I actually have a degree in Fine Art) So I took some watercolor classes, rubber stamping and jewelry making classes. The jewelry making class is where my passion is now!! I have been making custom pieces for 3 years now - using semi-precious stones and nice quality beads, sterling silver etc.! Would you believe that when you pull out the gorgeous colors, shapes and sizes of these stones that your mind just lights up with all the possibilities? I have even layed in bed at night creating designs in my head! Now that's creative stimulation! I still work full time in insurance, but my jewelry designs give me that creative outlet! And I do sell my one of a kind pieces. It's more than a hobby, a small business on the side. And I do enjoy getting to wear my designs and seeing them on others! While I can't always get to my "hobby" as often as I'd like - especially during very busy times - I do look forward to the opportunity to create when the time is available.
You are right about the electronic devices taking over our lives - seems we can't go long without checking emails and responding! I feel like I spend more time trying to handle email volume and electronic filing that it has actually reduced my work/business productivity! It's crazy!! But if you don't maintain the emails, the volume can be overwhelming! That's why I'm always spending so much time with the emails - just to keep it from getting out of control! I guess we need a better solution for that! And I need all the help I can get with understanding all the new technology! I don't even use a Blackberry - I still use the DayRunner (paper version) but the computer is without doubt indispensable!!!
Happy Holidays to you and everyone!
Mary Boggs (Dallas, TX)
Posted: December 6, 2007, 08:59 PM by Alice Baland: www.AliceBaland.com
Leslie, I thought your topics were so timing and on target! As others have mentioned I enjoy my work so much that it often seems like a hobby, yet as a therapist and dietitian, I've learned that more balance in other areas helps me be sharper, more refreshed and relaxed. Years ago I THRIVED on all kinds of DANCING -- jazz, flamenco, line, ballet; teaching ballroom and Latin dancing; NIA; and couples dancing with my husband -- waltz, progressive double two step. I LOVE dancing. However, the times and places for dancing don't fit my busy schedule or location. All I can do is DANCE when I'm at home or in my car (Ha!) and a good song comes on the radio.
Fortunately, I've reinstated BAKING and COOKING as a hobby. Today I was adventurous and invited my adorable 5 year old neighbor over to bake chocolate chip cookies. We had so much fun! And he kept me on my toes! And I am working, along with my husband, Dick, on our cookbook, Cooking with Wild Abandon! . Sometimes I get creative with writing, or drawing. Someday I'd like to take up photography. Is pleasure reading a hobby? Due to my busy schedule, I read tons of professional journals and books, but have sadly restricted my pleasure reading. Perhaps I feel that I will become addicted to it to the exclusion of everything else (which I sometimes did in high and college). This conversation is causing me to reevaluate my priorities and yearn to include more of a variety fo pleasurable things in my life, like READING.
Posted: December 6, 2007, 01:09 PM by Angelina M. Matthews
I have always enjoyed learning and experiencing new cultures.
Because I am quad-lingual and a teacher of Foreign Languages, it just f
facinates me to learn how other people live, work and enjoy. I also thirst to
read. I read a lot of self-motivating books and articles. I also enjoy reading
many non-fictional novels. I am also a realtor, and because I love meeting
people and educating them, I can now educate them on all facets of
Real-Estate. It also gives me the opportunity to compare Home ownership as
oppossed to apartment leasing. I do have a new listing in Cedar Hill, Texas.
It is a beautiful Tuscan Villa, with a breath taking pool and outdoor kitchen;
There are many other amenities. If anyone would like more information,
my e-mail address is: angelina_matthews@sbcglobal.net. I will gladly
e-mail flyers and pictures of the home.
Posted: December 6, 2007, 11:35 AM by Lisa Braithwaite - www.coachlisab.com
For many years, my hobby was jewelry-making. Then I turned it into a business. Now that I've closed that business, I haven't made jewelry in months.
A hobby that my husband and I enjoy together (and has overlapped with his work in the specialty foods industry for almost 20 years) is food. There's no pressure when food is your hobby. We like to explore tea shops, cheese shops, chocolate shops, ethnic markets, farmers markets, and any specialty food shop we find.
We love eating, we love cooking, we love reading about food and cooking. We also combine it with travel, so everywhere we go becomes a food adventure. For me, this hobby is both creative and nurturing, and doesn't require a schedule or an inordinate amount of time.
Now hubby is opening a tea shop, and I hope we still enjoy it as much once it becomes work!
Posted: December 6, 2007, 10:39 AM by Sonia Pagan
Yes, we do need to relax more! I am a divorced, single mom, juggling a music career, www.myspace.com/soniapagan and recently decided to go back to college as a psychology major, so I am trying to find ways to relax. I also thought of dance class. Maybe swimming, or yoga? I guess Im trying to multi task as well. Broadway shows sound good.
I recently saw The Color Purple with Fantasia, it was fabulous ! You leave the theatre feeling happiness and love. I want to see the Celia Cruz Musical next. Hopefully, I will be starring in a musical one day!!!!
Happy Holidays!!!!
Posted: December 6, 2007, 08:55 AM by Susan Sussman
Ballroom dancing is a great way to connect because you are so physically close, you really have to concentrate on each other, and the dynamics of leading and following are emotionally connected to how we relate to each other as a couple. When our daughter was diagnosed with a potentially immediately fatal condition, it really threw us and became an all consuming crisis. Even after the crises, knowing her health would be restored, I realized that we needed to share some fun. Ballroom dancing only lasted 6 lessons but it was great. You can try different hobbies, learn from them, be enriched by them and not feel the pressure of having to be committed to them as if they were work. They are there to serve you. I think hobbies are about valuing yourself and your personal relationships. Thanks to Leslie for raising the issue.
Posted: December 5, 2007, 09:06 PM by David Leffler
My wife and I love to go to Broadway shows. And with my daughter recently off to college, us "empty nesters" hope to see more shows. i also blog with a friend, not about my profession, but whatever currently I find interesting, so i would call that a hobby. See www.staringatstrangers.com
Posted: December 5, 2007, 07:10 PM by
P.S. Has anybody heard that maybe Fosamax , though good for all the bones in your body is proving to have a negative effect on the jaw bones that hold your teeth?
Yes, my gyn informed me of that a couple of years ago and I immediately went off it. I used it for a long time and have severe bone loss in my jaw. She put me on a nasal spray that gave me nose bleeds so I had to give that up as well. Now I just take calcium. Does anyone have a better suggestion?
Sorry to get off the hobby subject but this caught my eye...
Posted: December 5, 2007, 05:06 PM by Anne Schrock
I had to wait until my 50s to learn that I have a creative side. I've always enjoyed gardening and some days loose myself in the landscapes, though hadn't thought of it as a canvas. Now I have lots to share with my artist friends though our canvases look different.
My hobby saved me a fortune when redesigning my website. I love photography, though never considered myself to be above average until a professional saw my photos and thought they should be copywrited. The initial images posted on my website were less than my expectations, so I decided to give it a try and now I have graphic artists thinking a professional did the photography. What fun!
There are a multitude of ways I enjoy spending free time that gives me a break from my usual activities, none of which [with exception to photographing wildlife, nature, and children] do I consider to be a hobby.
Take back up your golf game. More business deals are made while playing golf.
Posted: December 5, 2007, 04:43 PM by peggy parks
It's really scary when all you can think of, as a hobby, is work!!!! Now that I'm self-employed, I have such a passion for what I do, that it's fun 24/7!!! When I was in Corporate, I could have named 6 or 7 hobbies (reading, traveling, shopping, dancing, having dinner with girlfriends, etc.). One thing I realized when I read Leslie's blog, is that my family may not be as passionate about my work as I am! I have a very supportive husband, but he would probably prefer having the old Peggy back who talked about things other than work! Oops! I know he doesn't mind being put on the back burner every once in a while, but I think I may have taken too much advantage of his generosity, love and support.
Thank you, Leslie, for opening my eyes. I will start focusing on Bernie at least one day each weekend!!!! HaHa!
Happy Holidays to all of you!
Posted: December 5, 2007, 03:58 PM by Donna
I like attending concerts. Music, it has always been one of my favorite past times. While I am sitting back relaxing, I think of how these musicians are WORKING to bring me joy! This IS their job. What I wouldn't do to be able to have some cool guitar solo making me money. But then, who wants to deal with the late hours and all that traveling! So, as I see it, if you enjoy your work, there is no real need to make sure you get away from it. After all, the more time I spend on my projects in business, the better I am getting at it....at least hope I am. Plus, networking never hurts. Even at a concert :)
Posted: December 5, 2007, 03:16 PM by Debra Callaway
In this rush, rush time of our lives..... I certainly agree that a hobby is a way to change perspective, possibly inhance the mundane! I am an avid crossword fan.....from the local (not so mindbending) to the NY Times eyecrossing mind freeze varity. Thinking seriously of resuming the golf lessons I started last year.......finding more time is the challenge!
Posted: December 5, 2007, 01:33 PM by Susan R. Medwied
When we ignore the human (read:non-work) side of our lives for too long, the universe knocks us up side the head. So, yes, it feels like "pressure" to exercise, participate in our community, spend time with those we say we love, even "have fun" (if we still remember how), but if we don't the price is high. As we deal with illness and death, fires and floods, and exhaustion, we get.... annoyed. What's more important than enjoying the life we've crafted for ourselves- just a little.
So I've instituted "methodical Mondays" at work. We are so used to multi-tasking that we never "relax" and enjoy what we do. Against my normal inclination, I try to do one thing at a time. My panicky assumption was that "nothing would get done." Instead I've discovered the opposite- not only does more get done, but the work itself flows and there's a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
Posted: December 5, 2007, 01:01 PM by Janyce Granoff
Hobbies !
Sounds like just more pressure to me. I have reached an age where I, hopefully, have 10-15 years left of good productivity to reach my goals. I am not about to waste a precious minute on anything non-productive. Some, probably male doctor, telling us to slow down and smell the roses or that the relaxation of a hobby may stimulate a good idea..........nonsense! To me it is just another thing to feel guilty about not doing along with not walking or forgetting to take my Fosamax....or course I may be just paronoid or defensive as, to me, it brings up thought of being manipulated....like "rest your pretty head" and being made wrong for my choices.
My choice is to work 7 days a week but to take off an hour every morning to drive my grand daughters to school, take an afternoon to take them someplace.....maybe "they" are my hobbie? But painting, reading, tennis....a waste of my TIME REMAINING
thanks for listening, Janyce Granoff
P.S. Has anybody heard that maybe Fosamax , though good for all the bones in your body is proving to have a negative effect on the jaw bones that hold your teeth?
