Sequestration, a blessing and a curse.
As a Systems Engineer, I'm quite familiar with working from home (especially when I'd rather not be). With the pandemic and sequestration, some things have certainly changed, but working from home is hardly a big transition for me. I previously worked at home 1-2 days a week, anyway.
What has changed, is that the last two months I've been a member of Wealthy Affiliate. While working at home tends to blur your schedule, adding in a side hustle does so even further. I now find myself on my computer from 8am to, well, midnight at times, with few breaks. When I log off the VPN, I log onto WA. Well, sometimes I don't wait, like now. ;)
The point is that it is easy for me to allow work and side hustle to blend into a rather odd schedule where I rarely come up for air. I've been putting my nose to the grindstone to get my website up and running, making sure to add at least one post every week (I'm wordy and a research-a-holic, these things take time ;) ). I've discovered that the time I said I'd be willing to set aside (10-20 hours/week - see my profile) is but a drop in the bucket to what I've actually put in. Given the odd times we are currently living in, I doubt I'm alone.
As the weather gets warmer and nicer where I live, I'm finding that forcing myself off the computer and into the sunshine for a few minutes, a few times a day, can do wonders. Taking walks even more so. I think a part of it is just taking a break from the computer, the other part is the sunshine just makes me feel better.
My work, while certainly important, does not require eyes on PC for 8 hours straight. Neither does my website. And my belly needs some TLC. Sitting all day is NOT good.
Ironically, I find that I'm far more productive if I take breaks. I just wanted to remind everyone to take a break now and then. Enjoy the sunshine, go for a walk, be purposeful in spending time with your family. Don't let the "to do" list take complete control over your life.
Yes, I know you're out there. I can't be the only one who has the tendency to finish something "come hell or high water", even if it takes working on it until 1am. You won't lose productivity by taking breaks or enjoying your family.
Sometimes balancing work, home, and side hustle is difficult. It doesn't help if you are like me and REALLY want to get your website ranked on Google (and converting). But it's okay to take a step back, smell the flowers, and relax.
Oddly (and recently), I discovered that I come up with more ideas when I'm away from my computer. Go figure. The sub-conscious mind is a wonderful thing. It works on things when the conscious mind is taking a break.
Now, if only Covid-19 would die down soon. I have a vacation planned in June. Yeah, I know, it's not likely to happen. However, it could be rescheduled for August, if the virus situation settles enough. Yes, I'm imagining myself relaxing on the beach, watching the waves come in. [You didn't think that photo above was random, did you? I'm an engineer. Nothing is random. ;) ]
Take a break. Take a walk in the sunshine. Enjoy the warm weather. While sequestration makes this a great time to work on your business, don't lose sight of WHY you are working on it. You only have one life, and you need to live it each day... beyond work. If you forget the important things, all the sacrifices to grow your business will be in vain.
Cheers,
Steve
Recent Comments
9
Right you are! We must take breaks for our health and state of mind. Thanks for this reminder.
Barbara
I was more a directive aimed at me, but I figured I wasn't alone. ;) It sounds ironic, but too much work makes me less productive.
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Hi Steve, Well said. A saying which comes to mind is. 'All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy'.
That doesn't mean it just refers to Jack.
Thanks for sharing.
Stay safe, stay well.
Wilson
Exactly.
On a related note, I took off a day from working on my site. The next day, I was far more productive and came up with a couple of new ideas. Before I took the break, I was stumped on new ideas.
Strange how that works. ;)
Stay well my friend.
Steve