It’s funny how much starting a new project at work can affect you. Instead of worrying about a wedding, a house, and impending reorganization, my planningg horizon has shortened from six months to one week.
Of course, I’m partly to blame for this. I’m much more of a sprinter than an endurance worker; during the ramp-up of a project, I throw myself at the learning curve to understand everything (everything) as quickly as possible. I can keep that pace up for a few weeks, maybe a month or so, but then I need to back down. Ask me to keep that up for three or four months (like two projects did last year), and I’ll reach the end of my rope.
It’s all about finding a balance, really. With the house and wedding coming up, there’s no shortage of things to be done, from the profound (like locking in a mortgage rate – check) to the mundane (like the never-ending dishes to be washed). I’ve had to take work home the past few nights as well, which just stretches the day out farther. That balance point will change this summer, as I’ll have a family to love and care for. (Hey, not all things I have to do have to be a chore.)
Which brings me to the question: How much of your work goes home with you? Not just the things like emails, documents, and planning, but the stresses and uncertainty? Where is your balance point?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Michael and I had a rule about bringing work stress home when we worked at the same place: we stopped bitching at the Loop (we worked at Richmond & Wilcrest and lived in the Heights). It gave us adequate destress time and minimized our need to bring work stress home.
It didn’t always work but it was a starting point for achieving balance.
Ginger has a really good point. Because, you know, there is only so much of grumpy, stressed-out Mike that a girl can take.
(*giggle* I just couldn’t resist!)
All work and no play is not good for the spirit. It’s much better to find a stopping point and leave it behind. No one needs to work 14+ hour days.
I’m the worst at this… I stress out so much that I get insomnia. I really need to learn how to turn it off. Believe it or not, getting a dog has helped with this a lot because I have to care for her no matter what and she takes my mind off of things. So, get a dog!