Alwyn Cosgrove gave me a great Christmas present this year, a book called The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz.
What's it about? Well essentially it looks at the fact that the hours in the day are fixed, but the quantity and quality of energy available to us is not. I'm pretty sure Al bought if for me after he spent some time with me in December. It was a particularly busy time having just set up the new training facility and I think Al felt I needed to get some balance! This book is really good and has made me take stock.
What I found interesting was that the book highlighted the fact that recovery is every bit as important in the work environment as it is in fitness and training. As a strength coach I'm always telling my clients about the importance of recovery, but I'm working all the hours available in the day with very little recovery.
Death From Overwork
It is not the intensity of energy expenditure that produces burnout, impaired performance and physical breakdown, but rather the duration of expenditure without recovery. The Japanese call it 'karoshi' or 'death from overwork'. They have identified 5 key factors that contribute to karoshi.
1. Long hours that interfere with normal recovery and rest patterns.
2. Night work interferes with normal recovery and rest patterns.
3. Working without holidays or breaks.
4. High pressure work without breaks.
5. Extremely demanding physical work and continously stressful work
Ring any bells?
It did with me and I'm now making sure that I'm getting some more balance in my life.
A great book - thanks Al!