Adrenaline Junkies and Template Zombies: Understanding Patterns of Project Behavior

72. Safety Valve

To counter the intensity of its work, the team devises a pressure-release activity that becomes a regular part of team life.

Nobody works a complete day—we can’t. We like doing our work, but we all need to stop periodically to refresh ourselves, by doing something other than work. We are by no means slacking off when we get up and go down the hall for coffee—like a boxer between rounds, we need to take a break.

But there is another kind of break we need that is not to do with tiredness or refreshment. It is the relief we need from the pressure of our work. Most people engaged in projects work hard, and sometimes long, and often ...