Jared is an attorney in New Haven, Connecticut. He drinks two to three scotches per night and, on the weekend, will sometimes hit five or six. I’m not sure if he is a functional alcoholic or just someone who drinks too much. But when I asked him why he drinks so much, he responded that it his stress he feels from work.
Kyle is a mid-career business executive in Stamford, CT. He regularly cheats on his wife even though he describes his marriage as good. When I asked him why, he said it is the only thing that makes his life exciting.
I have to do some research to prove this theory but in my observation those that cheat on their spouses and drink or smoke too much are far more likely to have unhappy work. This comment is based on my anecdotal observation through the years of friends, acquaintances, and clients.
I need to differentiate happy work from successful work. My book, Career Path of Abundance, spends 20 pages discussing the two definitions. Here, I’ll simply say that the happiness from work emanates from how you internally feel while doing your work and successful work relates to outcomes from work that conventionally mark success such as prestige and money. Those who are successful – but not happy – with their work are in the category of those who succumb to these challenges, as evidenced by the stereotype of the high level but stressed executive who needs a few drinks at the end of the day and chases women when he travels.
Those who are happy with their work usually do not need alcohol to calm their stress. Those who are happy with their work usually do not need to look outside their marriage for excitement. I realize that exceptions abound. But as a generalization, the benefits of happy work go far beyond one’s career.
Kyle is a mid-career business executive in Stamford, CT. He regularly cheats on his wife even though he describes his marriage as good. When I asked him why, he said it is the only thing that makes his life exciting.
I have to do some research to prove this theory but in my observation those that cheat on their spouses and drink or smoke too much are far more likely to have unhappy work. This comment is based on my anecdotal observation through the years of friends, acquaintances, and clients.
I need to differentiate happy work from successful work. My book, Career Path of Abundance, spends 20 pages discussing the two definitions. Here, I’ll simply say that the happiness from work emanates from how you internally feel while doing your work and successful work relates to outcomes from work that conventionally mark success such as prestige and money. Those who are successful – but not happy – with their work are in the category of those who succumb to these challenges, as evidenced by the stereotype of the high level but stressed executive who needs a few drinks at the end of the day and chases women when he travels.
Those who are happy with their work usually do not need alcohol to calm their stress. Those who are happy with their work usually do not need to look outside their marriage for excitement. I realize that exceptions abound. But as a generalization, the benefits of happy work go far beyond one’s career.