Arianna Huffington on Workalholism

I am always heartened when I come across compelling arguments for pushing back the common work ethic insofar as "the idea that to be a success you have to drive yourself into the ground, and that making work the be-all and end-all of your life is a good thing." Arianna Huffington wrote these words in an op-ed piece that appeared in The Huffington Post yesterday. 

"The prevailing culture tells us that nothing succeeds like excess, that working 80 hours a week is better than working 70, that being plugged in 24/7 is expected, and that sleeping less and multi tasking more are an express elevator to the top." 

She was referring to an off-the-record comment by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell on President Elect Barack Obama's appointment of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano being "a 'perfect choice' for Homeland Security Secretary because she has 'no life', 'no family' and 'can devote, literally, 19-20 hours a day' to the job."

Huffington continues "Rendell's paean to workaholism epitomizes this wrong-headed approach to acheivement. Indeed, the truth is the exact opposite. It turns out people are not only happier--they are also much more productive if they are able to get away from work, and renew their passion and focus."

Read the article here and watch Huffington on The Early Show talk about the issue.