The advent of instant communications, continuous connectivity, and mobile technologies has spawned a whole generation of people who look at the world through a prism based on a forced expectation that to be successful, people need to be on top of their business 24/7. Studies have shown that this misguided devotion to one’s work leads to decreased productivity, ill health, and overall dissatisfaction with life. In other words, 24/7 is a formula for failure.

Where 24/7 Comes From

Overachiever model:Entrepreneurs and business owners have long been known to be overachievers with a voracious appetite for work. Many successful companies are products of the relentless and determined efforts of type-A personalities who sacrifice everyday life for the sake of business success.

Self-imposed expectations: Many of today’s entrepreneurs see themselves in the same light and harbor the same ambitions as these internet millionaires. Thus, they impose the same idealistic expectations on themselves. The problem is that, for each mega-success story, there are hundreds of disappointments. 24/7 is not a guarantee of success.

Customer-imposed expectations:

Business owners can also fall into a 24/7 trap when they allow unrealistic expectations to be imposed on them by customers or the marketplace. We live in a world where technology has accelerated the pace of accomplishment, where people get instant gratification with the click of a mouse, and customers expect 24/7 access to the business and quick turnaround on responses.

Finally, mobile technology and constant connectivity allow anyone to slip into a 24/7 work scheme. The fact that it is available and that business owners can do it creates a situation whereby someone with tendencies to live out of balance now has a reason and the capability to do so.

Where 24/7 Leads

It’s a no-brainer that this constant responsiveness leads to high-stress levels. That’s unhealthy for your body and can contribute to serious health conditions, which ultimately is bad news for you and your business. Add poor nutrition and lack of exercise to the mix, and you have a recipe for ill health.

Business decision-making and idea generation often suffer when there is total immersion in the business without the opportunity to step back and take some space. If your thought process gets locked into a singular focus, you might not see other business solutions or new ideas. The old adage about not seeing the forest for the trees is perfectly suited for business owners so overwhelmed with the day-to-day that they can’t see the overall strategic picture.

Take a Break. Lots of Them

The opinions of reformed workaholics vary over the best approach to solve the 24/7 malady. Many will stress the importance of finding a way to live a separate work and home life. Others will say it is too difficult to separate the two but that they must be “blended” or merged to achieve a passion for both.

Inherent in all their advice is that the workaholic simply needs to take a break, lots of them.

So, take a break occasionally - even if you need to schedule it on your calendar at first. After all, didn’t you go into your own business to have a better life?