How Sports Illustrate the American Work Ethic

“We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions – of the world” –Queen, song lyrics

What do Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Randy Johnson have in common?

There is the obvious answer: they are all champions. They all won championships and dominated their respective sports.

But that’s only half of the story.

Here’s the other thing they all have in common: arthroscopic knee surgery.

That’s right, three of the best American professional athletes–the role models for health and fitness–underwent knee surgery. Journalists and athletes downplay surgery and discuss it as a normal way of life. I guess in many ways, it is typical for professional athletes to undergo surgery.

Why do they do it? For some, surgery is necessary to maintain an income. But for the best, I speculate money is not the prime reason. Jordan, Woods, and Johnson were all very wealthy when they underwent surgery. I suspect the main reason is they wanted to extend their careers.

Now think about that: they chose surgery to extend the very same careers that caused the problem to begin with!

A New Hope

That’s the good old American work ethic for you. Sacrifice everything for your career, and when you’re injured, ask doctors to sew you up so you can keep working more. I wonder how many of American health problems in diet, exercise, and sleep can be attributable to stressful work lifestyles.

I am not really concerned with how other people deal with the issue–that’s their business. But I like to know what I’m getting into, and that’s why I question the American work ethic. But it’s hard to stand against the crowd.

An example: Prince Fielder, slugger for the Milwaukee Brewers, chose a vegetarian lifestyle that he perceives will improve health. I don’t know if his vegetarian lifestyle is actually healthier. The relevant fact is he thinks it’s healthier, implying that he is consciously choosing his health over career.

He’s taking a big career risk to address health risks. What happens if his diet really affects his performance? What happens if he slumps due to random chance? He’ll be put on media trial, as journalists and other teammates will be quick to judge.

In fact, that’s exactly the situation taking place. Take a look at this recent headline:

“Hey, Prince, have a cheeseburger! Vegetarian Fielder in a big slump”

What is an employer’s obligation to the company? Is it really worth being a champion?

If being a champion means giving your all now, including sacrificing health, I think I’d rather be a healthy second-place loser.



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  • Pankaj

    Presh,

    Interesting perspective. I wonder how companies in Europe and other places get away with shorter work weeks and compulsory vacations etc (A lot of them seem to be doing rather well). I have heard that in Denmark, employers deactivate your company access cards if you (try to) work more than stipulated time per week!

    Thanks.

    Pankaj

  • http://www.mindyourdecisions.com/blog Presh Talwalkar

    Pankaj: The Denmark story is great–thanks for sharing. Compare that with American offices that are open are virtually every day of the year. It’s a strange obsession we Americans have with work.

  • http://schiffreport.blogspot.com Jaclyn

    I’m with you on questioning the American work ethic.

    I believe in hard work and I don’t think anyone would describe me as a slacker but in some professions, industry leaders are definitely setting the bar way too high and putting career above other things that matter a great deal, like health, which is what you mentioned.

    I think people also often prioritize career over where they’d ideally like to live. It’s done so often that it perhaps downplays the significance these decisions can have on family and other relationships and numerous other factors.

  • http://www.mindyourdecisions.com/blog Presh Talwalkar

    Jaclyn: You provide a great insight in your last point about work location. I mean, it’s amazing how quickly we move from location to location based on salary considerations.

    In that sense, air travel is a double-edged sword–it allows us to travel quickly when needed, but it also makes us view distance as less important to begin with. Without airline travel, I bet many people would locate closer to their ideal spots right at the start.

  • http://schiffreport.blogspot.com Jaclyn

    Presh, I have to dispute the claim that air travel allows us to travel quickly…

    Haha, jokes aside, you’re right, the ease and frequency with which people relocate definitely downplays the significance of a move.

  • http://www.mindyourdecisions.com/blog Presh Talwalkar

    Jaclyn: It has been a while since I’ve flown, and yes, you remind me how annoying flight delays are ;)

  • http://n/a Marco Lalama-Gross

    Being from a Latin-american country, I have to say that this article proves very relevant. I think that the main question is: “Do I work to live, or do I live to work?”

    What is the reason for my hard work?

    Will I accomplish my goal in time to enjoy it? (I will surely need my health to enjoy the product of my hard work)

    When does a “better future” start to be “comfortable present situation”?

    I believe there are no ideal situations in life because of so many unpredictable events affect us randomly. There is no perfect time to get married, nor is there a perfect time to have kids. We just have to live with this fact, trying to make the best of the situation; without giving up our hopes and concrete efforts for a better tomorrow.

    I also agree with Presh on the idea that healt is your principal and most important asset.

  • http://www.mindyourdecisions.com/blog/ Presh Talwalkar

    Marco Lalama-Gross:
    Always great to find other people who share the same view, though I find it’s more often from people who don’t live in the U.S.!

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