Embracing a New Work Ethic That Values Boundaries as Much as Dedication
What's This Post About?
I came across a post recently that struck a chord. It was a celebration of teamwork, passion, and dedication—a shout-out to the power of showing up for your colleagues, even on a long weekend. It's the kind of message we've seen in the hustle culture that's permeated our work lives, and on the surface, it's inspiring.
A team is coming together to close that final sale on the unofficial last weekend of summer—there's no denying the commitment and teamwork this shows. I've been there, feeling the adrenaline rush as we push for that last-minute deal.
Spoiler alert: This group weekend work fest was for a global corporation, which kinda gives you a sense of where I'm going with my post.
What isn't clear from the aforementioned post is these individuals' age and family commitments. Maybe they have kids or not. Also, this was a month-end, not a year-end, which I would understand or it would make it more understandable(again, this is from my perspective with a family and extended family)
Full disclosure: My family and I were at a friend's lake property until the bitter end on Monday of Labour Day, and I work for myself. Some of you might think I'm full of it since I only have to answer to myself. And you may be correct, but I digress...
But it got me thinking: at what cost? Is it worth it in moderation? If we want to be wildly successful, do we have a choice? Am I being overly dramatic to create content for a blog post? Let's find out.
There's a growing trend toward rethinking our relationship with work. The data is in: we're starting to understand that working longer and harder doesn't necessarily translate into better results. Studies show that overwork can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and—ironically—a decline in the quality of work and satisfaction.
This is why concepts like the four-day workweek are gaining traction. We've seen companies test shorter work weeks and report steady productivity and increased employee satisfaction, creativity, and well-being.
We're at a crossroads where the old "always be grinding" mentality conflicts with the new world of work-life balance. And it's time we ask ourselves, what are we celebrating? Is it the passion and drive to push through, or are we unintentionally glorifying the sacrifice of personal time, family, and self-care? Or am I advocating for being lazy? I don't think so.
Let's be honest. Hard work is still a cornerstone of success—no arguments there. Passion for what you do is a gift, and not everyone feels that spark for their work. I've been through times where I felt like Sisyphus(I know. I know. You might have to look it up. It was on a podcast some time back, and it stuck with me).
This passion shouldn't come at the expense of other areas of life, primarily when it involves trading family or personal time for work. This is particularly true on the Labour Day long weekend(ironic, isn't it?)—often the last chance to enjoy the final days of summer with friends and family before the madness of back-to-school and Fall routines sets in.
Are we celebrating genuine team spirit or inadvertently glorifying the grind? Are we genuinely showing up because we love it, or are we trapped in a cycle of needing to do more? Are we doing it for optics? Are we being subconsciously pressured by peers or, worse, bosses?
Sometimes, showing up means knowing when to step back, recharge, and return with even more enthusiasm and energy. Let's celebrate our wins, but let's also celebrate our ability to set boundaries, protect our time, and redefine what it means to be committed to both our work and our lives.
This may sound like a platitude, but there's more to life than closing that last deal. Establishing boundaries is not a sign of weakness but a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy life.
Or it could simply be a fact of life and a sacrifice we must make to achieve our goals. It's not lost on me that with experience (that's a nice way of saying older), priorities do shift. Talk among yourselves.
Thanks for reading. If you like what you read, please share and spread the word. If you want to implement the strategies mentioned in this or any other blog post, reach out, and let's talk.
Bernard Kuhn
Sales Strategist
Are you tired of the same old sales talk? Me too. That's why I'm here to share what it's like to navigate the world of selling. Join me on a journey of self-discovery and lifelong learning as I confess my sales sins and share insights beyond the typical sales playbook.
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