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Poles Change Attitudes to Work; Overwork No Longer Fashionable
๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ Poland /Culture & Society

Poles Change Attitudes to Work; Overwork No Longer Fashionable

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Poles are shifting their attitudes towards work, with overwork becoming less fashionable.
  • A physiotherapist notes that observing clients' physical stress motivates him to set boundaries.
  • The concept "Busy is new stupid" suggests that being constantly occupied may indicate poor time management rather than a badge of honor.

A noticeable shift is occurring in Poland regarding attitudes toward work, with the once-celebrated culture of overwork beginning to fade. The notion that "Busy is new stupid," a phrase often attributed to investor Warren Buffett, encapsulates this changing perspective, suggesting that constant busyness might signal poor time management and a lack of prioritization.

This evolving mindset is illustrated by the experience of a physiotherapist who visits a Warsaw office building to provide massages for corporate employees. He observes the physical toll of stress and overwork in his clients' bodies, noting tensions and cramps. "In their bodies, I see tensions and cramps that are the result of stress and overwork. This is the best motivation to set boundaries for myself and take care of myself," he explains.

While his clients may still be working to the point of exhaustion, the physiotherapist believes they, too, may eventually adopt a more balanced approach. The growing sentiment is that being constantly occupied is no longer a source of pride. Instead, it is increasingly viewed as a potential indicator of inefficient work habits and a failure to establish priorities, marking a significant cultural re-evaluation of work-life balance in Poland.

W ich ciaล‚ach widzฤ™ napiฤ™cia i skurcze, ktรณre sฤ… efektem stresu i przepracowania. To najlepsza motywacja, by sobie stawiaฤ‡ granice i dbaฤ‡ o siebie.

โ€” PhysiotherapistDescribing the physical impact of overwork observed in clients and how it influences his own approach to work boundaries.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.