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'You don't want your work to consume you': Study shows high-earning men are cutting down shifts

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  • The workplace is forever evolving.
  • New research says successful men are cutting back on time spent at work.
  • The study says these men have cut their shifts by three hours.


According to new research, men who are high earners aren't working beyond the hours of their nine-to-five and, on average, are cutting down by three hours since 2020.

Two successful men and former workaholics share their reason for becoming stricter with their working hours and finding balance while maintaining companies.

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Jose 'JT' Torres, the CEO of Cornerstone Cowboys Construction, says he is working hard and has not taken time off for a while.

"I'm the owner of four other businesses, and now I'm starting a new one, and I'm definitely working more. I haven't taken a vacation in years, so it's almost time. It's a personal choice to stay in the business and be involved, but my time is mine. I run my businesses mainly through my phone and seldom have one-on-one weekly meetings." Jose continued to add that he hasn't realised that he doesn't travel as much because of work, not that he can't. "It's a labour of love. I do love what I do". 

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On the other hand, Dr Abdulla Kudrath travels a lot despite owning successful businesses. "It's a different work week now, and I should point out that in the study, it wasn't that it was three hours less than 40 hours, it was 50 to 55 hours, so they still work more than the average work hours."

He continued to add that people are looking to balance the scale. "It shows two things - one is that people are trying to find a little bit of work-life balance, and because of technology, we can now do that more effectively. It used to be your work week was at the cubicle with that office online, and now it's cellphones and portable email. You can still travel a little bit and still be tied to your company. A lot of people are finding more efficient ways to still get work done than your typical week."

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Dr Abdulla also added that, like Jose, he loves business and being a business owner. "If you want to own a business as well, you have to make a sacrifice, but you cannot let that consume you. Any new business is like a baby; you cannot be away for too long," says the doctor.

"You have to make the sacrifice; you have to keep your eyes and your hands on it. Then there comes a point where you need to step back and look at how you can find balance and prioritise your life and spend time with family and your loved ones. Take out for new hobbies or the hobbies you've put aside and travel because you don't want your work to consume you".

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And what about vacationing and its real meaning when it comes to successful business owners? Do they ever switch off their phones and not communicate with anyone related to business?

Dr Abdulla says that's impossible. "The consequence can be disastrous for the company. I haven't taken an international trip like I just did in years. It took me six months to plan and make sure that I had everything in place and remained connected. It's important to understand that you will never be disconnected from your company if you want it to succeed."



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