They are not usually members of the administrative or support staff, but higher paid, more visible members of management at some level. The more valuable we are to the organization, the more it will do to support us. To-do lists and planning calendars are power tools in the effort to integrate tasks from all areas of life. As such they make it virtually impossible to focus merely on professional endeavors, all day, every day or to be neglectful of our families or our own needs. When we think ahead and plan for contingencies, we are calmer, and our professional performance benefits.
True excellence requires balance.
Obsessive personalities are common among successful executives. The Achilles' Heel of productive people is the guilt, even depression that they suffer when they feel that one or more facets of their lives have been ignored. Achievers want to win the big bonus but not, for instance, at the cost of neglected children. We want to excel but not at the cost of our own well being. People who achieve want to do so in spite of the challenges that must be overcome.