Clock out

A couple of articles have caught my attention recently and I feel like I have to remind myself, as well as others, that its ok to clock out.

You know, not work. Spend time with the family. Enjoy a walk in the woods. Bike down one of the many trails that I’m sure your community (and tax dollars) has created. Walk the dog, catch a film, grab a beer with a buddy. I could come up with thousands of things to do other than work.

As a society, we’ve become busier and busier each passing week. We over commit, over schedule and are simply running ourselves into the ground.

We’re too busy

The first article that caught my attention was this opinion piece by Tim Kreider. I’m amazed at the number of people that fall into this trap. And I can easily see how it happens too. I’ve heard more than my share of friends and family members talk about how they are so busy all the time. A lot of it has to do with their kids being involved in a lot of sports, clubs and various other activities. I’m not saying its all bad, I just see that they are running around frantic and a little less of a lot of things could go a long way.

Sure, you want your kids to be involved and have all the experiences that they want. But when is it too much? Have you asked them? Have you asked yourself? When is it time to say no? And for those wondering, its ok to say no.

Work / Life balance

How many of you work from home after a day in the office? Do you feel that you can’t get your work done during the day so you knock out a few hours at home. Is it expected of you? Do you feel that if you don’t work from home you’ll be looked down upon? Maybe not get that promotion? According to this TechCrunch article by Sarah Perez, you’re not alone. You can start sobbing in your chair now.

I used to work a LOT during my off hours for the day job. My wife would go to bed and I would knock out another hour or two. I felt I could get done in the 1-2 hours what I couldn’t get done in the 8 that I was working at the office. At home, there are no co-workers stopping by, no meetings, no email chiming, no IMs. Just focused work.

So what changed? Not much really. I still work that 1-2 hours, I just do it for myself now instead of the day job. That’s right, I’m working for myself. Trying to make that night time job my full time job. And its the most enjoyable 1-2 hours of work I get in a day. Sure I’m exhausted when I sit down to work, but its a path of freedom and it feels awesome!

Holier Than Thou!

I know I’m probably coming off as some a-hole that thinks he has all the answers. I know I’m just as full of BS as the next guy. I work too much and check my email on the weekends like many of you.

But what I do know is this. Its a weekend coming up, my 2 year old wants me to play and you bet your ass I’m going to be chasing him through a sprinkler or around a park.

So stop working people! Go outside, its nice out.