Unnecessary extremes

In the startup world, a lack of sleep, nonstop work, and a general disregard for personal wellbeing (at the expense of productivity) is glamorized.

Among novice writers, it’s common to hear of individuals clearing entire days or weeks of their schedule to do nothing but write.

In high pressure professional environments (top tier law and consulting firms), late nights, weekend work, and (under important deadlines) even sleeping at the office are all relatively commonplace.

I’m not sure these extremes are necessary, much less sustainable.

I don’t need to lecture anyone on why getting poor sleep is a bad idea, but few (so far as I can tell) seriously explore the benefits of getting a lot of sleep.

I’m relatively new to the world or regular writing, so I don’t have much to share on that front aside from my personal observations.

Having spent time on a project (in my former life) where staying until 10PM was the norm, I can think of no better way to ensure burnout and developing a resentment for the work causing it than long, draining hours.

The older I get, the more I appreciate consistency, boldness, and quiet strength.

Willie Jackson is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant & Facilitator with ReadySet, a boutique consulting firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a frequent writer and speaker on the topics of workplace equity, global diversity, and inclusive leadership. Connect on LinkedIn or get in touch.