When was the last time you worked through your lunch break? Complained about how stressed you were feeling? Or answered emails on your BlackBerry in bed? At a guess, if you are anything like millions of other HuffPost readers around the world, I reckon "yesterday" would be a pretty common response.
From London to Lisbon, São Paulo to Singapore, people from all walks of life are suffering from burnout as we struggle to cope with a hyper-connected world that values success at any cost.
But, here's a thought: Maybe it doesn't need to be like this?
One thing is crystal clear: The centuries-old measures of success -- namely money and power -- aren't working any longer. Women and men across the world are waking up to the reality that there are more important things in life than a fancy job title and a bank account full of money. Those are nice to have, sure, but not at the expense of everything else.
Worse still is that in the relentless drive to move up the corporate ladder, burnout and sleep deprivation are no longer just a by-product of the working world. They have become a badge of honour.
With all this in mind, last year HuffPost President and Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington coined the phrase "The Third Metric" to redefine what success could and should be all about. A new movement was born that celebrates wellbeing, wisdom, our ability to wonder and how we make a difference in the world.
Think of it this way: If success is a stool with money and power as its two legs, that's a pretty wobbly foundation. By celebrating a third metric, or leg, of success, that stool suddenly feels a whole lot more solid and appealing to boot.
Since launching The Third Metric, we've noticed not just how many people are writing and talking about the struggles and stresses of their busy lives, but also positively about the steps they are taking to deal with it. Words like "mindfulness" are popping up again and again. Yoga and meditation are enjoying popular revivals, and this time it's not just because pop stars and Hollywood actresses are raving about them (although there are a fair few of them practising the arts, too).
It seems we're finally waking up to the fact that things need to change. In a hyper-connected world, where we juggle multiple phones and devices at any one time, taking time out from our screens is increasingly important. Learning to "switch off" these days means literally switching off your mobile(s!), your computer, your TV and everything else that needs electricity to function.
From across the globe we've gathered stories about businesses harnessing these values to improve their work places, politicians practising mindfulness and bankers being encouraged to -- shock, horror! -- nap at work. The French might not need any lessons in enjoying long lunches, even during the work week, but the rest of us could certainly do with some encouragement. It's certainly new in the U.K. to hear about companies offering yoga classes in an effort to keep their employees' bodies as flexible as their minds.
The way people switch off differs from country to country, and this week, as The Brasil Post joins The Huffington Post group, we're looking forward to hearing from readers and bloggers about how you define success. We're also excited to hear how you unplug and recharge. As I type this from HuffPost's London office, with rain pouring down outside, I'm relying on you to divulge the secret beaches where Wi-Fi hasn't yet made its mark and meditation before breakfast is the norm.
Come join The Third Metric revolution. We'd love to hear your stories.