August 15, 2010 – Crain’s New York Business – Anne Field – NY, USA
Just try saying yes to more rest to maintain peak productivity
Enrique Ramirez’s business is all about relaxation. Like most spas, Face to Face NYC aims to provide its beauty services in an atmosphere of pampered tranquility. But Mr. Ramirez is anything but stress-free. Since the economic downturn hit in 2008, he’s worked around the clock, opening up on Sundays—when the Manhattan shop used to be closed—and staying open until 10 p.m. during the week. “I had no other choice,” he says.
It’s worked, to some extent. At $375,000, his sales for 2009 were down about 10% from the year before, not anywhere as precipitous a decline as many other similar businesses experienced. But the effort has taken its toll. After Mr. Ramirez suffered many sleepless nights and a spate of bad colds, his doctor advised that he cut back on his hours. Now, he goes in every other Sunday.
The drawbacks
For many small business owners in New York City, the economic downturn has meant a longer workweek, often extending into weekends and late into the night. But it comes at a cost. Overwork can contribute to lower productivity, depression, high blood pressure and even heart attacks, says Debra Condren, a Manhattan-based psychologist and business coach.
“Overwork can have all sorts of nasty, toxic effects, both psychologically and physically,” she says. Read story.
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