Happy Saturday – Work Day #6

ByDr. Berney

Happy Saturday – Work Day #6

So, here it is, Saturday morning and I arrived at the office at about 5:20 am. While it is still early, it is actually much later than I really wanted. I woke up two or three times in the middle of the night, hoping that it was time to get up so that I could come in and get to my work.

For many, that is simply a crazy perspective. Why in the world would I, or anyone else, WANT to be at work at 5:20 on a Saturday morning — though, arguably, many wonder why you would want to be at work at 5:20 am on a work day.

I have thought about this a lot over the past few days. I have had friends and colleagues tell me that they are “worried” about me and my work schedule. They ask me what I am doing for Spring Break and if I am planning any vacation time over the summer. And when I reply that I have no plans, except to do some work that I am looking forward to, they laugh, shake their heads, and tell me that I “really need to take some time off.” Though I am sure that it is partially in jest – at least that is what I choose to believe – the comments have made me sit back and think.

They are, in part, correct. Most Americans take very little time to relax and recoup from the stress and pressure of daily life. As a result, they are at risk for burn out, stress, and depression. I often encourage my patients – and friends – to take time to do something they enjoy, to recharge their emotional batteries, and to “reset” themselves to improve productivity. For most, that advice is exactly what they need.

Others, however, are rejuvenated by their work. Over the last few days, as I have reflected on my colleagues’ (who I deeply respect and adore) comments and advice, I keep coming back to the same thought – I LOVE WHAT I DO! To me, there are not many activities that I prefer more than coming to the office and writing. I sit here in my quiet space with my cup of coffee and finding new ways to communicate ideas and strategies to help people lead a happier, healthier life. The cherry on top is when my favorite soccer team (Chelsea FC) is playing a match, which I will have live streaming on my iPad. As Dr. Richard – who loves this work as much as I do – walks in my office he smiles and shakes his head, as I am typing away on my computer, while stealing glances at my iPad to see how my “Boys in Blue” are doing. To me, that is relaxing. That is my recovery. That recharges my batteries.

While this blog post was, at least in part, an attempt to self-rationalize how and why I do what I do, it is also meant to serve as a message to others. Others who, like me, find solace in their work. Those who wake up with enthusiasm for getting to the office. Those who get frustrated, not because they have to go to work, but because they have to run an errand before they can get to the office.

I would not call us workaholics. Rather, we are work enthusiasts. We do not work because we have to, we work because it really is something that makes us feel as though we are serving our purpose. To those work enthusiasts out there — Happy Saturday, work day #6.