At present I'm reading an autobiography by Lee Iacocca who is a legend in the US auto industry. Son of an immigrant Italian, who grew up during the Depression years, the book makes good, inspiring reading and is suitable for any intermediate or above student. Though in his 80's, Iacocca (pronounced similar to "try a coke ah") certainly shoots from the hip. Inside many issues are tackled that would be of use to an English Language test taker having to speak or write about globalization, pollution, energy, environment, development, family and religion. What stuck in my mind however was a comment he made regarding the necessity for giving ourselves time away from work. Remembering he is a multi millionaire, he writes that "except for periods of real crisis I've never worked on Friday night, Saturday, or Sunday." He then goes on to say that he is "constantly amazed by the number of people who can't seem to control their own schedules" and ridicules high flying business men who are too busy trying to make money rather than spending time with family. This really put me in a quandary and made me reflect. To confess, unless I am really organized, over time spent at work isn't that much more productive than if I had spent the usual 9-5 Mon – Fri hours on the job. At times I try to make myself feel good about the fact that I spend a lot of time at work, but I wonder if sometimes, some days I have got it all wrong. |