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My Dad Worked Himself to Death (literally)

I’m building a business to ensure I (or you) don’t follow the same path.

Shannon D. Smith
3 min readApr 10, 2024
Image created by Author using Bing Creator

I couldn’t believe my eyes…not him…not my hero…my rock.

I’ve always seen him as invincible, but on that unforgettable night on April 6, 2009, reality slapped me in the face as I watched a machine breathe for my father.

He was on life support, frail and vulnerable.

No longer was he the Superman I had known and loved my entire life.

In that hospital room, with the beeping monitors and smell of sterile air, I made a vow.

I wouldn’t follow in his footsteps of overworking.

I couldn’t imagine leaving my children behind like this.

Yet, over time the pressure to succeed and “have it all”, felt inescapable as I saw no alternatives.

I struggled with the workaholic tendencies I inherited for years until burnout gave me a wake-up call, and led me to a turning point.

A new definition of success

That wake up call was my saving grace.

It led me to discover holistic methods for stress management, healing, and wellbeing, which totally changed how I define success.

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Shannon D. Smith
Shannon D. Smith

Written by Shannon D. Smith

The Alignment Architect | I help professionals and organizations cultivate alignment in their careers, teams, and workplaces for sustainable success.

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