I was reading a job posting the other day. It was a posting for a consulting lead at a large firm that sponsors a really popular soccer team. One line in particular caught my eye, “willingness to work 115% of time to meet client needs.” What does that mean exactly? Am I required to find more hours in the day? The last time I checked, 24 hours was pretty much the maximum available right? What kind of company writes that into their job descriptions and what kind of candidate is attracted to that job? Do any of you out there work 115%?

It’s not like I’m allergic to work or anything. I grew up on a farm so I know what real work is. I used to do some chores before school and after school and then sometimes work in the fields for 12 or 15 hours a day. My dad used to work in the fields all day and then sit up all night when our hogs were having piglets. I know for a fact that my family who still works on the farm actually do work 24 hours straight. But my family is growing food to feed the world and they are often working against the weather – you only have so much time to plant and harvest after all. But why would you want to do that in consulting? What corporate client needs that kind of attention? I mean come on. I used to have a job that encouraged working nights and weekends. In fact, some managers would check online to see which people’s messenger status were green/available. It’s like when George Costanza left his car in the parking lot when he worked for the Yankees so that his boss would think he was working late. Of course that plan failed when he left it there too long; birds camped out on it and it got covered with garbage.

Here’s my closing thought. In a recent article in US News & World Report here: http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/articles/lebron-james-decision_14170.aspx#.VCQ16pQRCno, research highlighted how Lebron James’ decision to rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers is reflective of his generation. Here’s an excerpt from that piece:

As a Millennial (those born between about 1976 and 2001), the 29-year-old James’s decision to return to Northeast Ohio reflects what studies have reported about his generation and the workplace. It’s a good idea for employers to pay attention. According to a study from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, Millennials already make up 36% of the workforce and will represent 47% by 2020. As the best player in the NBA, James could have gone to many teams and commanded top dollar. He also could have been in bigger media markets – such as Los Angeles or back in Miami – rather than the relatively obscurity of Cleveland. Yet throughout his announcement James emphasized personal preference over professional glory. “My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now,” wrote James, an Akron native, in an essay for Sports Illustrated. He noted that he wants to raise his children in Ohio. “The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.” That sentiment – focusing on personal happiness first and integrating a career into it – comes up in study after study of Millennials.

I know he’s just a basketball player who makes millions of dollars to play a game but I have a lot of respect for what Lebron James had to say and might actually agree with Millennials in that survey. This weekend, I think I’m going to focus 115% of my time on happiness.