Can't Disconnect from Work? Maybe That's What It Takes to Hold Your Plum Job (not browning out)

Many client problems are solved when taking a shower, working out in the gym or commuting on the George Washington Bridge. Not during normal business hours and not at a desk. 

SuperLawyers documents that Paul, Weiss partner Brad Karp frequently develops the big conceptional breakthroughs on managing a case after midnight. Clients such as from Wall Street, who have ready access to him whenever, wonder if Karp ever sleeps. Some quip: The best time to reach Karp is 2 AM. 

This continuum of work is known as the inability to disconnect. Most assume it's about the compulsion to always be checking emails and texts. But the reality is much more comprehensive than that in professional services. And, it may be a must to hold onto a job during these disruptive, cost-efficiency, AI-driven times. 

Not being able to disconnect is epidemic in the legal sector. Bloomberg Law reports that 70% of lawyers surveyed about the worsening of their recent well-being note that they can't or won't discconect. How could you risk missing a client contact? Or if you are an associate you better anticipate that assignment from a partner at 1 AM, due early morning. Weekends and vacations? Isn't access expected?

Other sectors in professional serivces might be signaling through layoffs that you have to be fully available and engaged to survive. You bet, in the shower you should be open to problem-solving for clients.

For example, once-iconic public relations firm Edelman had yet another layoff. This time the number was 55. Three years ago that was 330, many senior representatives. 

Powerhouse management consulting firm McKinsey recently terminated about 10%, totaling 3,000 to 4,000 cuts. Meanwhile, it's keeping busy its generative AI tool Lilli. 

Just this year almost 76,000 or 8.8% orbiting the finance/banking niche have been laid off. 

Could what's going on be explained as the mandate to be all-work, manifested with sustained enthusiasm. When this isn't there you could be fingered as experiencing an "executive brownout." In 2015, the term was coined to describe the loss of "fire in the belly" about your work responsibilities. No longer do you present yourself as totally motivated by the thrill of moving the needle on whatevers.  

In intuitive coaching and psychic readings I warn those in professional services that the burden is on them to navigate what it takes to maintain a good job in 2026 and not destroy physical, emotional and spiritual health. 

The number-one tool is the mindset of radical acceptance. Instead of wasting energy resisting what is, you lean into it. It is what it is. Magically that can produce the psychological "detachment" which puts you in a position of strength. Unlike those resenting the seemingly impossible demands you float above what could be sized up as crazy.

Meanwhile, snippets of meditation and prayer also can be effective. So do plans when to bail. Those usually require living below your means. That opens the door to being able to afford an exit, on your terms. Earning a good living is less and less about building a career. It's about earning a good living. Grab and hold on to the best options for that and drop out before it erases your human dignity.

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)


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