“What is it about upward mobility that undermines the health of these young Americans? In our studies, most participants are the first in their families to attend college. They feel tremendous internal pressure to succeed, so as to ensure their parents’ sacrifices have been worthwhile…Some young people respond to the pressure by doubling down on character strengths that have served them well, cultivating an even more determined persistence to succeed. This strategy, however, can backfire when it comes to health. Behaving diligently all of the time leaves people feeling exhausted and sapped of willpower. Worn out from having their noses to the grindstone all the time, they may let their health fall by the wayside, neglecting sleep and exercise, and like many of us, overindulging in comfort foods.”
~ Gregory E. Miller & Edith Chen, Can Upward Mobility Cost You Your Health?
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yes and something huge is lost in the bargain.
Yep, and no chance to “re-do”
Needed to see that today! Working too many hours without breaks lately and my body and soul are protesting .. I’m craving quiet and pampering and sleep. A day off (with no one in it) is in my future, I think 🙂
MJ
You are overdue for a break!
You are right, my friend. I got one last night, some good news in that a process that was broken got fixed = taking a tremendous load off of me & my team 🙂 Yippee Skippee — it’s the little things sometimes … and the knowledge that I’m taking a long weekend around the Super Bowl – whoop! 😉 MJ
Wow, good for you. Great to get this kind of news before the weekend. Enjoy
My sister-in-law takes my two nieces (10 and 7) to Kumon (tutoring) classes after school for an “extra boost” because other parents in the school district believe it is helpful (read: my kid is smarter and does better in school than yours). My nieces have been deemed gifted by the ‘powers that be’ and already are earning top marks. When she told me she takes them to these tutoring classes, I had a negative reaction (which I kept to myself with great difficulty and restraint. :). Kids are taught to be competitive at such young ages. What happened to playing outside after school? What self-imposed shortcomings are these parents trying to overcome?
I’m with you Carolann. Kids get burned out before they get to college…
very effective illustration!
🙂 Loved it too
That’s one way to scratch an itchy throat.
Funny, and true.
I guess I missed the point – I was so taken in by the video clip, wondering why the bear was doing that….
I guess you get the point now! 🙂
Picture is cute, article has a lot of truth in it.
yes….to both
Is this our kids or us? 🙂
Oh, all us here. All us.
I’m hoping the next generation, a.k.a. my children, don’t follow in our footsteps here. Working hard, being responsible is a good thing,but there has to be time for play, for family, for pursuing things that benefit our soul, not our bank account. Based on all the complaints about the next generation, I believe many of us have adequately demonstrated that success is not defined by stuff or titles, but instead by relationships, and they are not buying into the crap. Good for them!
Laurie, I can only speak for my kids. And, yes, they demonstrate good balance. (today). Let’s see what happens when they are “untethered.” 🙂
Reblogged this on Movers, Shakers, Leadership Makers.
Thanks for sharing.
So true. Meh.
And we learn the lesson far down the road… 🙂
I’m inspired to lift my nose from the grindstone…
Well, there’s a start!