 January 12th 2009
 Self-Help Myths
 7 comments
Working hard and playing hard is a very popular saying nowadays. Actually to many people it’s more than a saying, it’s a way of life. Not too long ago Salford University used it as a basis for one of their adverts. Because we spend so much time working it’s only natural that we should find an equally demanding form of release that we can fit into the little time we have left for ourselves. What better way to play hard than to go out on a weekend, down copious amounts of alcohol, and eventually stagger home at 6AM? The problem with working hard is it’s a surefire way to burn out and the problem with playing hard is… it’s also a surefire way to burn out. You see the problem?
Businesses don’t exactly help the situation. They continue to force more stupid work hours, leaving us with less free time to fit in all the stress-releasing fun we need as a result. In fact, in the near future (if it’s not happening already) companies will probably have offices on one floor and bars and clubs on another so their employees will never need to leave the building on a weekend. I’m waiting for the time when companies start asking why work and play need to be seperate things (because work is so much fun, right?). If you find yourself dancing away with a Smirnoff Ice in your hand while simultaneously analyzing the latest sales figures with your team you’ll know things have gone too far.
The whole work hard, play hard mantra unfortunately shows no sign of stopping even though it’s quite frankly a marketing con. How hard must you really be working if you still have the time and energy to go partying afterwards? And how heavily must you be playing if you are still able to do a demanding day at work without much sleep and probably an hangover? Red Bull sales must be through the roof! But what else can we do? Well why would you even want to work hard for the sake of it? Try working smart and playing smart instead. Rather than spending all your time knee-deep in work, look at how to streamline your workflow, become more producutive and use your time better. That way you won’t feel pressured to find quick-fix ways of having a good time.
Reader discussion
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I have always used that expression but I really thought hard about what makes what I do work so well. And you said it very well at the end. Being smart. You’ve got to work smart and play smart to live the lifestyle you want without being run down and exhausted at the end of it all.
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This only ties into your post in a peripheral way, but I do love the quote, “Work is only hard when done improperly” by Craig Allan Teich. I found it today and truly believe that this is the case. What a great situation though when you can work hard AND smart… that’s always been my goal! I must admit as well that I do hop up on monster drinks to keep myself going….
Thanks for a great post.
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Jillian
January 13th 2009
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In order to get something we have to loose something elsewhere. This post is a good issue well explained which I like most. When it boils down to it, hard work is the best way to achieve success.
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The people I have known who work hard and play hard are the ones who spend their weekends drunk/drugged up to deal with inherent misery of their lives. The ones I know who work hard, and know how to genuinely relax, have been the most successful. Their hard work may not be long hours, but it is focused and productive – when they work, they get things done.
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Great thoughts. Paul, I at first thought that the whole playing hard aspect of weekends drugged and drunk was party a stereotype but many people do honestly view it as a lifestyle choice. I wonder if there is a correlation between drink/drugs and workplace satisfaction and hours?
Troy, that’s a nice quote. It’s a shame that businesses associate hard work with the number of hours a person puts in. It should be about what a person actually gets done!
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Digitalninja
January 14th 2009
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Red bull do have two formula one racing teams where they are main sponsor, as well as sponsoring loads of extreme events, including the Red Bull air race. You can imagine what there sales figures are like! And Taurine, the active ingredient, is banned in Red Bull’s home country of Switzerland.
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