What Exhausts?: The Work or the Reaction to Work?

As I am now within a week of my Q1 2007 vacation, I have been thinking a lot about how tired and in need of this vacation I am and how I got here. I have also been thinking about what necessitates a vacation and a rest in this knowledge work era where we are not subject to the physical wear, tear and hazard that was endemic of the industrial work era. It would seem that the lack of physical labor we engage in would leave us not so tired but of course we all know that that is wishful thinking.

As I have pondered “knowledge work exhaustion” in myself, it has occurred to me that that lack of physical work (like when I don’t exercise 3 times a week) actually contributed to my exhaustion. More so, I find that, not the work itself, but my emotional and psychological reactions to the reputational (relationship/knowledge) and project (time/money) demands, risks and crises take the most toll, manifesting as emotional, mental, and yes, physical fatigue.

I find myself at this time of life being most proud of, and diligent in, the work of practicing: 1) opportunity thinking, 2) conscious breathing, 3) “present moment” openness & focus, 4) forgiveness, a.k.a., letting go, 5) egolessness, a.k.a., humility and 6) passionate detachment , a.k.a. performance without attachment to the result. I find that as I get better at these practices, my tolerance for stress, conflict, and change have increased.

That said, one must be careful of incompetence even in the face of competent.

Good week to you, and me also for that matter, as I head for the soft landing on this “time off”.