During my stint with McKinsey, I was going through a period of intense stress — my family moved back to India and I was all alone in the US.
I could have kept pushing myself to the breaking point. Or I could take a break.
So I took a break — for a week. Just kidding: I took a full three months off — the Firm generously allowed the time off.
I came to India, spent those three months with my family, doing nothing useful except picking up my daughter every day from school.
Did it cost me? Yeah, the lost salary, etc. probably added to $40,000.
Was it worth $40,000 lost?
Some things –like health, peace of mind, and time with loved ones — can’t be measured in US dollars.
– Rajan