Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work by Richard Carlson

Author:Richard Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Self-Help / Stress Management
Publisher: Hachette Books
Published: 2013-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

50.

AVOID THE TENDENCY TO PUT A COST ON PERSONAL THINGS

One of the stressful habits that many of us get into at work is that we tend to put a cost on too many things. In other words, we calculate in our minds the cost of what we are doing or owning—when we could be doing or owning something else. Obviously, there are times when this is enormously helpful, such as when we spend time watching television or organizing our desk when we could be spending that same time working on the report that is due tomorrow morning. In this case, it might be helpful to remind yourself that, in effect, that television program is carrying with it an enormous cost—perhaps even your job.

I remember when Kris and I bought a one-fifth interest in a sailboat. The only problem was that during the next two years we only stepped on that boat once—and even then it was for a picnic with our best friends, not for a sail. In this case, it was helpful for Kris and me to realize that our picnic had, in effect, cost us over two thousand dollars! Oh well, at least we had a lot of fun on the picnic.

There are other times, however, when it’s important that we not put a price tag on what we are doing. I’ve known quite a number of people, for example, who rarely take days off to spend time relaxing or doing something just for fun because the “cost is too high.” They make the mistake of calculating what they could be earning during the days, or even hours, they are away. Even on those rare occasions when they do get away, they find it difficult to relax because they are so preoccupied with what they could be doing instead, or with what they might be missing. They will say or think things like, “If I were seeing clients (or earning) at a rate of fifty dollars an hour, I could be making four hundred dollars today. I shouldn’t be here.” And while they are technically correct in their arithmetic, they are effectively eliminating any possibility for a calm, inwardly rich life—because in order to achieve a less-stressed life, you must value and prioritize your need for recreation, fun, quiet, and family at least some of the time. So, even if your earning capacity is much less than the above example, there still has to be some limit on how out-of-balance you allow yourself to become.

One of my fondest memories growing up was one day that my dad helped me move from one apartment to another. It was during the week, and my dad simply took the day off. Looking back, it was a time when my father was busier than ever before. He was running a giant company and was dealing with some very complex issues. His time was extremely in demand and valuable. I remember thinking I was being financially clever when I said to him, “Dad,

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