Have you ever experienced burn-out?
If so, you’re not alone.

With too much work and too little time, it can be oh-so-tempting to put in a few more hours to get one more thing done. But this comes at a cost.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. And while we can dip into our energy reserves in the short-term, this is not a sustainable long-term model. It can quickly lead to burn-out.

Cruising Altitude
Our cruising altitude refers to the maximum number of hours we can sustain each work week without burning out.

Brian Fetherstonhaugh, Global CEO of OgilvyOne, says “Managing energy levels is a life skill, not just a work skill.” Fetherstonhaugh is very aware of his work pace because he tracks his time (and has been doing so since 1983). He is well aware that his optimal cruising altitude is 57 hours per week.

Prioritizing
When we’re aware of our cruising altitude, we become better at prioritizing our work. We become more aware of the finite amount of time we have available and better at managing our commitments.

What’s Your Cruising Altitude?
This concept applies to your personal life as much as your work life. Recall the saying: too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing. For example, if I have two social engagements a week, I’m thrilled. If I have four, I’m burned out.

I’ll leave you with one thought: What is your cruising altitude?
If necessary, tracking your time for a couple of weeks can help to pinpoint your optimal number.