Late nights at the office, answering business calls over the weekend, going years on end without a vacation – for many executives, that’s what it takes to make it to the top – and stay there.
Mike McClellan, president and chief operating officer of Harrison Energy Partners, is no exception.
“That’s kind of the cautionary tale, is that when you’re building your career, you need to put in more time. That’s just sometimes part of it,” McClellan said. “I used to spend 60 to 70 hours a week connected to work in some way.”
Those early years in business are important for career development, but McClellan said since he has cut his weekly hours down to about 50, his quality of life has improved significantly.
“I’ve probably deferred my physical health, which then defers my mental well-being,” he said. “I’m really enjoying the flip side of that, and at the same time, I can enjoy my career more.”
It was about a decade ago that McClellan, 59, decided to start slowing down in order to spend more time with his daughters.
“I wanted to make sure I was connecting with them,” he said. “I started making sure I was doing some things to put balance back in my life, with my family and my own wellness.”
McClellan started exercising several times a week, practicing yoga and mindfulness, and planning regular vacations.
“I make sure I mix in some fun, whether that’s travel, seeing a concert, going to a show, spending time with my partner, getting to the lake on weekends when I can,” he said.
These days, McClellan makes it a point to take a two-week vacation each year.
“It takes about three days to really decompress,” he said. “A two-week trip is a little better in some regards, because you know you’ll be gone, you go farther away from home, and you can immerse yourself where you’re at. It really allows you to unplug.”
That time away has proved to be invaluable, McClellan said, giving him the space he needs to think creatively about life and work.
“You have an empty bucket when you get up in the morning, and all day long, things fill that bucket up. Sometimes it runs over. You have to manage your bucket and empty it when it’s full,” he said. “Vacation really allows you to empty your bucket, allows you to think strategically.
“In the business mindset, you’re working all the time, dealing with things tactically, but time away allows you to think about the big picture of what your business can be, what you can do differently, that you can’t see in the day-to-day,” he said.
McClellan said his getaways have included 10-day Canadian fishing trips and taking his daughter to Lollapalooza. Even shorter weekend trips, like a visit to Memphis or a camping excursion, can have a recharging effect on his everyday life.
“I try to do something quarterly – going out of town, whether it’s a three-day weekend or a week out,” McClellan said. “I spend a lot more time now exercising and consciously trying to make sure I have some intentional downtime.”
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