Five easy ways to have no Life

Oprah, HBR, and a few experts from the Center for Work-life policy have written lately about the trend towards some professionals who believe in all work and no life. (I have no idea who they are, how old they are or what they are thinking). Granted, if you have no relationships, no other interests but work, no regard for your short and long term health, and no awareness of who you are as a total person this might work, but really "Get a Life." The articles and studies , they say, are just reporting a recent trend that is happening in the workplace.  Is this true or is it a way for those of us who have decided living a full life is more important (or at least equally important) to working 24 hours a day to feel guilty. Guilty we are not giving 24/7 to a job and a company that might pull the rug out from under us at any moment. Guilty for not wanting a bit of fresh air and sunshine to provide us with the Vitamin D we need not to mention the value of exercise, being in nature, and connecting with family and friends. The study reports that 21% are high earners. I ask, if you aren't a high earner, why are you sacrificing the other parts of your life for - a carrot that might not ever be caught?

So, if you want to have all work and no life, the studies of extreme jobs as reported by Sara Resitad-Long of Oprah's magazine, (yes, I think the magazine is great) states that you must have 5 out of 10 of the following criteria.

1. unpredictable flow of work
2. inordinate scope of responsibility
3. tight deadlines
4. work-related events outside of regular hours
5. availablity 24/7
6. accountability for profit/loss
7. recruiting/mentoring
8. heavy travel
9. large # of direct reports
10. At the workplace at least 10 hours a day

If you want to be an all work and no life kind of person at least do it for yourself. Build a business, make a difference in the world, follow your purpose and who knows maybe you can also have time for a bit of living as well.  Besides even Oprah takes Sundays off to relax and rejuvenate. If she can, so can everyone else.