0161 723 2000
8AM to 5PM
0161 723 2000
8AM to 5PM
Hello my name is Mike Clough and I’m a workaholic.
I’m thinking maybe I need to I join some sort of group therapy sessions; I just can’t stop myself.
Don’t get me wrong – I do take time off – I even get time away from the office… but the truth is, unless you turn off all mobile devices… then you are just working 24/7.
Other people seem to manage to have a break but I just fail miserably.
My accountant takes months at a time off.
My brother only works 3 days a week.
My team at JKSL all have their set holiday allowance every year
My next door neighbour (a teacher) has weeks and weeks off –
My barber/mechanic/plumber* (*insert anything here) has two weeks off every summer and the same during winter
Me – well…. I book two weeks off – but here I am on the Monday of the second week I’m supposed to be off and I’m sat in meetings, looking at cash flow and organising the site teams.
The stupid thing about this situation is that I have somebody that does cash flow, and I have somebody that deals with site works….so in fact all I am doing is sticking my oar in on things that are running quite smoothly without me…
I blame the i-phone and the i-pad and the way we all programmed to answer questions quicker with instant responses required to ensure clients are not upset by any delays to their requirements.
I also suspect that I am a control freak.
I actually get physically sick if my phone doesn’t have reception. I shake and sweat and get into a complete panic until the little bar thingy on the phone comes back to life ….aaaah ….phew….normality has resumed….
I’m not exactly sure what it is I’m scared of? Maybe losing a job, missing an opportunity?? Not sure…?? I think part of me thinks that unless I’m am fully concentrating on holding the business together then for some reason it will all just fall apart? If a relax then all will just flop on to the floor like some wet fish…
A part of me also sees my role as that of the ‘plate spinner’ – constantly giving each plate a little ‘twiddle’ to keep things moving…in my mind imagining that without my input…. all the plates will fall…
What is the answer to this dilemma? I’m not sure? Maybe taking a little time out each day and turning everything off? Maybe not looking at my e-mails after 6 o clock at night (OK make that 7)…
I’m pretty sure if I took a month off nothing would happen – in fact probably nobody would notice – maybe I should start small…aim to do a day without mobile or i-pad …?
Watch this space.
Mike C
