RAMADAN PLAYBOOK: the Intrigues of Holidays, Brain and Work (1) ---Akinwumi Akinola

 I actually reside in the Federal Capital of Nigeria where it appears normal to have productivity and even activity at low ebb during this season. Of course, this discussion is not about Ramadan. I just think we are many times untrue to ourselves about being responsible as Nigerians. Even Christians don’t take exceptions to ebbing low in activity (at least in Abuja) during this season; probably because they want a free holiday like their Muslim folks. We are too lazy to a point where holidays are competition grounds for us. I scribble a lot. So, I thought of something contemporary, in-season and yet to the point for us to digest this season.

Have you ever considered the insignificance of holidays to the performance of our workforce in Nigeria? I understand too well that too much of work makes Jack a dull boy. But that is ironical in real sense. If you ask me, I’d say it depends on what type of play Jack engages before resuming work. Some Jacks actually return to work dull after the holiday. Scientifically, over 25% of the body’s total energy production is consumed by the brain. About two-third of this is expended in firing of your neurons as you engage in active work during the day. The other one-third is retained for maintenance of the brain cells. In case you are wondering how this relates to your holiday, just follow my lines.

I have always wondered why some hardworking and prosperous guys never gain weight despite the diversity of resources available to them. Some say it is the workload, as if they are involved in the laborious works that were rampant in the days of slave trade. It appears that the more they eat, the more they lose weight or at least, remain the same. You may also want to say peace of mind is lacking, especially at senior executive or managerial level, but it still leaves my question unanswered. By this, I am trying to demystify what we, as social beings, actually look out for in public holidays.

One thing is sure: fulfilment and satisfaction refresh human beings. The more fulfilled you are at what you are doing, or the more your needs are met, the better you feel, the healthier you are and the fresher you look, even in your appearance. That tells me that your expectation determines your wellness, peace of mind, and freshness. Irrespective of the kind of excuse you have for the degenerating health of many senior executives, this singular truth has set, and will always distinguish fulfilled workers from happy executives trying to buy their joy from Sallah with Alibaba.

Again, many of these breaks are real work time and business time for comedy, movie, and the entire entertainment industry. And did I just forget to mention the hustlers on Lagos streets who have been competing for your attention. It seems they like what they get from you during such breaks so much that they would relieve you of your job to make more money and impoverish you. 

The real question in all of this is therefore: is it instant gratification or meeting your needs that actually gives you the fresh breath and bodily growth that you get during breaks?

This article is continued in RAMADAN PLAYBOOK: the Intrigues of Holidays, Brain and Work (2)

Akinwumi Akinola who runs a professional empowerment initiative titled Special Programme on Attitude Re-Emersion wrote from Abuja city in Nigeria. He can be reached via akinwumi03@yahoo.com

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