My co-author Mike Naughton likes to remind people in his talks
around the world about faith and work that “If we don’t get leisure
right, we can’t get work right.”
The immediate conclusion that many people jump to at this point is
that they need leisure time to recharge for work, or to rest so they
can gain that competitive edge. Our leisure time from taking this view
is simply instrumental to helping us build a business or advance in our
careers. But, this is absolutely not what he means by his
statement. Mike has argued that when we look to non-work and leisure
time in terms of “balance” or in terms of “recharging”, we are missing
the point.
What Mike is saying is that we need to pursue an integrated life.
One in which our work and leisure are both guided by the same faith and
passion — toward the same ends. How we pursue our leisure time and how
we pursue our work both help create who we become — in terms of our
character and in terms of our virtuousness. Both leisure and work have
a purpose and give meaning to our lives — one does not simply support
the other.
The Wall Street Journal today reports on a new study that seems to offer empirical support for Mike’s point:
For the study, the five professors surveyed some 4,000
Americans, asking what they did the previous day and then quizzing them
in detail about three randomly selected events from the day. Those
surveyed were asked to rate the three episodes based on feelings such
as pain, happiness, stress and sadness. All this was used to calculate
what percentage of time people spent in an unpleasant state….The standout cluster was what the authors label “engaging leisure
and spiritual activities,” things like visiting friends, exercising,
attending church, listening to music, fishing, reading a book, sitting
in a cafe or going to a party. When we spend time on our favorite of
these activities, we’re typically happy, engrossed and not especially
stressed.
So don’t view your weekend as a time to vegetate and to simply
recharge for the week. Pursue meaning and purpose in all that you do in
your life.