Bryan Dyson, the former chief executive of Coca-Cola once said: “Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest.”
A good friend of mine is the textbook definition of a workaholic and the complete opposite of the above statement. When I am out with her after working hours, she is always on the phone, responding to emails or discussing something that has to do with work.
At one point, I pulled her phone away and asked her to unwind for two hours. I pointed out what she was doing was counterproductive – it could affect her productivity level in the long run as she was not giving herself a chance to relax and provide her brain with room to breathe.
What many young entrepreneurs and high achievers overlook is the importance of taking time to unwind and how important that factor is in ensuring better energy levels, something that ultimately leads to an increased productivity.
Laura Vanderkam, the author of What the Most Successful People Do on the Weekend, says that successful people know that weekends and unwinding from work are actually the secret behind professional success.
Search for the definition of success and you will fine multiple interpretations. Mark Thompson, an American business coach and speaker once asked in a seminar I attended to think about what success meant to us. His question resonated with me for days, until I came to my own definition.
Success to me is accomplishing milestones in both your professional and personal life. It is dedicating enough time to your work and equally enough time to yourself, your family and doing the things you love. Success is catering equal attention to different aspects of one’s life.
The thing that most workaholics and the ambitious do not realise is that if they dedicated enough time to unwinding, they would relax their brains, opening themselves to creativity and enough energy to tackle challenges. An exhausted brain and body is not a productive one.
So what can successful people do to unwind?
1. Make time for family and friends
Weekdays are busy for many of us, so it is important to dedicate the weekends to family and friends who you do not get to see enough of.
2. Exercise
Not only is it important to maintaining a fit body and healthy life, exercising also stimulates the mind and helps unblock the mind. When I cannot resolve an issue, I go for a walk or engage in an aerobic workout. It is amazing how body movement stimulates the mind. If you like activities, join a spinning class or a running group. Groups encourage you to exercise, and are also a great chance to network and meet people with different backgrounds.
3. Practice a hobby
Some people like to draw, while others love to play music. I like to write. Pursuing a passion creates a life-balance and could end up being an extra source of income or another way to be recognised professionally.
4. Volunteer
Join an environmental group, or dedicate time to help in an elderly care home or orphanage. Giving back feels great, and is also a good place to meet like-minded people. For those with heavy analytical and financial jobs, philanthropic work can be liberating.
5. Plan ahead
Do that on the last day of your weekend, preferably in the evening after you have dedicated time to yourself and loved ones. Plan your goals for the week ahead. This will not only save you time during the week, but will help you be more efficient and have a clear focus. If you manage a team, this will then aid them in becoming more focused and know what is expected of them.
With a heavy workload, we sometimes forget that just as it is important to get things done, we also need time for ourselves. Creating a balance not only gives you more time to relax and unwind, but also makes you more productive and focused.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer based in Abu Dhabi. Follow her on Twitter: @manar_alhinai
Follow us on Twitter @Ind_Insights
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
Read more about the coronavirus
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 2,000m
8.50pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; (D) 2,000m
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
