Working 24/7 and Proud of It? Don't, It's a Mistake

I just exchanged emails with a broker friend of mine who arranges financing for some of our clients, and he had just heard back from a lender this afternoon and wanted to get me the good news.

I responded of course, and in the communication, he mentioned how impressed he was that the man was working on Sunday afternoon as if it were a regular work day....getting things done. Cool.

It did not sit right with me and I responded back immediately, "no not cool", "In fact not only am I not impressed, I am distressed." I no longer trust him or his judgment. I thought about it for a moment or two and then went on saying, that if his business is so needy that he must work 24/7, and if he has not yet figured out how to expand without working 24/7, then he lacks serious management skills and thus I question his entire context and skill level, ability, likelihood for success.

I am running a rapidly growing business doing significant revenue and I spend my weekends with my family. Most evening are with my wife although I do allow for necessary meetings and outings of various matters regarding business during the early evening hours during the week and have a busy schedule for certain. I am successful. I do not have to 'work' 24/7. I do not make non-emergency client calls on Sunday afternoon as if it were business as usual. My business is under control.

My brokers lenders business is not under control, or why would he be making normal business calls on a Sunday afternoon? Check it out, the answer to your success is NOT locked into a 24/7 schedule...at all.

No, no, no, you are either escaping, avoiding reality, hiding, concentrating on 'the work' to numb the fear, maybe all the above, thinking that such a herculean effort will result in success and besides it is your standard, yourself expectation to fight to the last breath.

Spare me, can we do this a little more intelligently then that and with little less emotion? Lets create a plan and implement a successful mission.

Working 24/7 is an indication of a runaway, out of control train, a wreck about to happen, a cry for help, a clear need for intervention. No plan at all. This does not mean you cannot think about your business during off hours, of course you can and will, as do I.

If this is you, breathe and ask yourself... What are you doing? What is your plan?, How are you going to implement? Do you have the cash requirements?

Then proceed...and go home for dinner....and yes think.