There are three things in life with which everyone has to juggle – family, health and career.  The first two are made of pure crystal but the latter is made of rubber.  Crystal is very precious and beautiful to behold but, equally, it is quite fragile and can be broken irreparably if maltreated in some way.  Rubber, on the other hand, is durable and can be coerced into taking all kinds of shapes. 

It makes no sense, therefore, to risk either family or health for the sake of a career.  But, try telling that to the workaholic or the careerist and you are likely to enter into an argument which could get very heated – ‘without my career, my family wouldn’t exist’, ‘if I don’t provide money for my family who will?’, ‘my family only appreciate me for the status I give them’.

Examine your career more closely, my friend.  If you are honest you will know that you are primarily where you are because your face fits, because you don’t ruffle too many feathers and, if you are really honest, because you creep – even if it’s only just a little!  Just try building a career by being outspoken and standing out from the crowd – take a closer look at Enoch Powell or Kenneth Clarke, both with brilliant minds but with too much to say against the general flow.  The ‘No’ men don’t stand a chance – it’s the ‘Yes’ men who win the day, like Margaret Thatcher, and they never show their true colours until they have reached the very top!  Of course, if you are happy to be a creep and acquiesce to the wishes of your superiors then you could make a very fine career.  But, all those long hours and frequent trips abroad will take their toll on your health and your family life – you’ll have precious little time to look after either and your allotted time will be shortened.  And when it’s all over – ‘life’s but a walking shadow – a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard – no more.’

Far better, then, to look after those things that will always look after you – your family and your health – than to pay homage to a false God, your career.  We all have egos but it is better not to feed those egos too much and always listen to wise men – you will recognise them, for they give you advice that you don’t want to take but know you should.