You work hard. You come in early, stay late, and work over the weekends. Of course . . . you're the CEO (or the President, CFO, CMO, CIO, you get the idea). You constantly think about work, even in your sleep.
But you have the primo position, the unbelievable pay, the power to move mountains, and your future already written in stone.
But it's not enough. So you do more. And more. And more.
But what falls by the wayside? Your health? Your spouse or partner? Your kids? Your close relationships?
Yes, you might allocate an hour or two for them a week — but is it enough?
When is work enough when you keep moving the bar upwards every time you reach it?
Let's check out California-based Mohamed El-Erian, when he shocked the financial world when he announced his resignation as chief executive of PIMCO earlier this year:
"The 56-year-old said the "wake-up call" happened when he was arguing with his daughter about brushing her teeth and she left to fetch a piece of paper from her room. "It was a list that she had compiled of her important events and activities that I had missed due to work commitments," he wrote. "The list contained 22 items, from her first day at school and first soccer match of the season to a parent-teacher meeting and a Halloween parade. "I felt awful and got defensive: I had a good excuse for each missed event! Travel, important meetings, an urgent phone call, sudden to-do. "But it dawned on me that I was missing an infinitely more important point ... I was not making nearly enough time for her." (read more here)
Is money enough? How much do you really have to make? Is there a figure you're striving for? Are you reaching for the 'Rockefeller' stratosphere in wealth, power, and influence? Is it worth it?
Or let's see what billionaire Agit Agarwal did:
"He and his family decided to donate 75% of their wealth to charity after meeting Bill Gates, the world’s richest person. Agarwal has a fortune of $3.3 billion, where Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft Corp., has a fortune valued at $84.7 billion. “What we earn must be returned for the greater good of society,” the 62-year-old said at an event yesterday. “Life is not only about wealth.” (read more here).
Many times in life, one needs to step back, re-assess and prioritize the important things in life.
Why?
"Because we get so caught up in the race, we forget there's a finish line, and miss all the fun of running."
So take time out today (or even take a day off this week) to better understand the REAL important things in your life. Start putting them at the top of your list.
I work with many C-Level and Executive leaders to re-orient their lives and focus on what's really important. Drop me a line and I'll show you how.