Comments on: Open Thread: How Do You Take Your Mind Off Work and Offline?

By: peveimmeddy

peveimmeddy — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:19:54 +0000

Google doesn't look legitimate!?!?

By: Alex Florence

Alex Florence — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:26:16 +0000

@Sherrilynne: I think everybody needs therapy. I live in Florence, and maybe Italy is a little less stressful and professional…but everytime I come back home from work, I cannot but open my laptop. It’s like a drug :) Maybe we need a little help!

By: Daniel Ellis

Daniel Ellis — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:03:16 +0000

Nice to know I’m not alone. I seriously need a hobby. Problem is when I do get a chance to do something else I always think of work anyway, so I suppose I need to find something that will not allow me to divide attention. Suggestions?

By: Aimee

Aimee — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:36:51 +0000

Two things:
1. Know that there will always be work that you cannot finish. No matter how hard or how long you work, there will still be more work because there is always something more to do, especially if you work for yourself. If I’ve worked hard for 40 or more hours this week and achieved everything that was critical, I can relax over the weekend, because there is never going to be a clear stopping point. This is easier in a conventional job than if you are an independant worker.
2. Have things you really look forward to planned for the weekend or evening. Whether it’s trying a new recipe or drinks with a friend or a dance class, if you are really looking forward to it all day, then it will be easier to disengage at the end of the day. This was one of those “duh” revelations to me. I work harder and achieve more in 8 hours if there is something that I can really look forward to at the end of the day. If my schedule is empty, I’ll find myself working later and later because I have nothing better to do.
3. Realize that your energy is cyclical. Sometimes you will be completely wrapped up in a work project but once it’s finished you will focus more on your family. Very, very few people can perfectly balance all the areas of their lives every single day. I give myself permission to be a little obsessed with one project knowing that once that project is over my friends or family will be my priority and I won’t put as many hours in at work. As long as there is an ebb and flow to it, I try not to worry too much that life isn’t “balanced”. If you are always focusing on work then you need a little more ebb to your work cycle and need to focus on point 2.
These are the 3 points that I use to achieve something like balance in my life. It’s always a struggle though and it always seems like balance in my life.

By: Matthew Cornell

Matthew Cornell — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:51:22 +0000

Forgot to add to 1: You have to have the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of the day. Otherwise you might have a nagging psychological feel you’ve not done enough.

By: Matthew Cornell

Matthew Cornell — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:49:46 +0000

1) Make sure you’ve wrapped up work with a sense of having captured everything that’s going on (problems, ideas, status of projects, delegation, etc. – *everythying*), and 2) disconnect from work – email and phone.

1) Requires a system (I like GTD, but any will do). Because our brains are always working (well, usually..:-) also have around a note pad and pen, esp. one by by your bed side. Grab these as they happen, esp. while trying to be present with those in your life, then get back to the living.

2) Requires a commitment to *not* be working, which you should make explicit to your work-mates and clients. For example, not answering the phone after 6pm, not processing email continuously, etc.

By: codhitz

codhitz — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:42:25 +0000

I make time , every two days , for a cross -training routine. It clears my mind , and makes me less likely to fall into writters block. I also cook , in the kitchen, from scratch. Putting a burrito in the microwave, and setting the timer myself just does’nt count as from scratch. When I can, I get out into the real world, and after squinting for a few hours, I open my eyes and become inspired by all the three dimensional beauty of the people. That’s where the down time really inspires me to create a more meaningfull project, something that will be beneficial to all those smiling faces.

By: Bob @ A4F

Bob @ A4F — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:18:36 +0000

I work from home and you know the old saying…If you work at home then you are always at work.

Building time into your schedule for family, exercise and relaxation is the key. If you had a boss who made you work through lunch everyday and till 2 in the morning how long do you think you would put up with that job?

Let’s face it sometimes you’re going to have to put in the long hours but just don’t forget to schedule in time for yourself while you’re doing it.

Bob
http://www.answers-for-freelancers.com

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:44:34 +0000

I wish i could say I know the answer, but the problem is that there is no off switch in the web worker world. however, i love reading books so i switch off friday evening to read a nice mystery – currently reading robert rosenberg’s crimes of the city.

By: Anne Zelenka

Anne Zelenka — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:30:34 +0000

@Sherrilynne: if you need therapy, then I do too! I as well find it hard to get my mind completely off work. And the closer I get to a workday, the more I think about it. Ah, Firenze… that might take my mind off it.