3 Musings for Embracing More “Being” and Less “Doing”.
Summer is a natural time for breaks – many of my clients are on sabbatical, family leave, or vacation. Yet, it can be stressful to take time off truly. Questions arise: What boundaries should I set? How will I feel when I return? Do I need to check my email? Longer breaks are essential throughout our lives for caretaking, education, healthcare, and career shifts. Our time is limited on earth. How do you want to spend yours?
1. The 60-Year Career.
With people living longer, healthier lives, the traditional 40-year career is becoming obsolete. Younger generations must ensure sufficient income to sustain themselves over longer lives. They need to find where they derive the most job satisfaction to avoid burnout and continuously acquire new skills to stay relevant. Taking occasional career breaks to balance personal and professional lives is essential.
Laura Carstensen, founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, noted in a recent Wall Street Journal article that we’ll need to work and pace our careers differently. Currently, “men and women at midlife tend to burn the career-and-family candle at both ends, while older individuals often feel underutilized.” She envisions a model where work is spread over more years, reducing burnout and allowing time for personal pursuits and skill enhancement.
Here are key considerations for leaders to navigate this new terrain:
Expect a career that resembles a jungle gym rather than a ladder: Careers will become more fluid, with individuals moving laterally, taking breaks, and exploring new fields rather than following a linear path.
Recognize lifelong learning, including breaks to return to school, will be essential: Continuous education will be necessary to stay relevant and fulfilled.
Seek flexibility for better work+life integration: Flexibility in work hours and locations will help maintain a healthy balance between personal and professional lives.
Learn strategies for restarting a career after a break: Developing skills to re-enter the workforce after a hiatus will be crucial.
Build an intergenerational network: Diverse professional relationships will provide support, opportunities, and mentorship across different stages of life.
Explore new paths even while enjoying your current career: Staying open to new opportunities will keep your career dynamic and exciting.
Stay present and adapt to interests that bring enjoyment, purpose, and meaning: Being mindful and adaptive will help you remain engaged in your work.
2. Slow Productivity.
One of my favorite podcasts is Hello Monday, which explores the changing nature of work. Last month, host Jessi Hempel did a compelling series on our relationship with time. Two episodes particularly stood out.
Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown and author of Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, advocates for achieving significant outcomes rather than daily activity levels. He offers strategies for long-term productivity and emphasizes quality over quantity. Newport suggests considering how our daily activities align with our larger goals. Listen to the podcast.
Natalie Nixon, author of The Creativity Leap, helps us examine the rhythm of our years and decades. Her "Move, Think, Rest" framework unlocks our fullest potential by balancing action with reflection and rest. This approach encourages us to embrace a sustainable and fulfilling career trajectory. Listen to the podcast.
Oliver Burkeman's book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals was also mentioned in these podcasts. In it, Burkeman challenges us to confront the reality that our lives, while seemingly long, are startlingly short. With an average human lifespan of around 80 years or roughly four thousand weeks, Burkeman invites us to embrace a slower, more deliberate approach to living. He encourages us to question societal narratives about time and productivity and to focus on what truly matters.
3. Generational Gratitude.
According to a recent Fast Company article, Millennials and Gen Z highly value downtime. Seven out of ten Gen Zers prioritize family and relationships over their careers. Excessive overtime, blocked vacation requests and calls outside working hours can severely impact their morale. While more willing to go the extra mile if it enhances their career prospects, Millennials still prioritize flexibility.
Flexibility in work schedules and locations is non-negotiable for Millennials and Gen Z. They believe work should be evaluated based on outcomes and results rather than busyness. My research, published in the Journal of Business Communication, supports this perspective. Younger generations view work effectiveness as output and achievements rather than sheer activity and physical presence.
As Gen X and Baby Boomers continue their careers, we can be grateful for the younger generations challenging employers to prioritize well-being and its positive impact on organizations. Their push for healthier work environments, better work-life integration, and meaningful work is reshaping the future of employment for all generations.
Reflect on how you want to spend your limited time on earth this summer. Embrace more "being" and less "doing" to live a fulfilling and integrated life.
Invitations
Wheel of Life Exercise: Spend some time evaluating all parts of your life and set goals on how you might like to shift them. Here are instructions and a template to get you started.
Life Countdown Timer: Are you curious about how many Mondays you have left? This calculator from Jodi Wellman of Four Thousand Mondays may motivate you to prioritize what is most important to you.
Song: Tracy Chapman’s If Not Now may inspire you to make your life shifts now.
Journaling: Self-reflection can help us get closer to how we want to spend our time. Consider 1-3 of these prompts during the next week or longer.
Reflect on Your Daily Routine: Describe your daily routine in detail. How do you spend your time from morning until night? Are there any parts of your routine that feel rushed or unfulfilling? How can you make small changes to create a more integrated and fulfilling day?
Moments of Presence: Recall a recent moment when you felt truly present and connected to the moment. What were you doing, and what emotions or thoughts were you experiencing? How can you cultivate more of these moments in your daily life?
Future Self Letter: Write a letter to your future self 5 or 10 years from now. Describe your hopes, dreams, and goals. What advice would you give your future self about how to spend time wisely and meaningfully? How can you start implementing these insights now?
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