This past weekend was quite different for me – rather than inundate myself in more work, business to-do’s and other entrepreneurial brainstorms, I took some time for myself. I quickly came to the conclusion that hanging out by oneself isn’t as overrated as I thought.
Quite nice, actually.
For the better part of 3 years now, I’ve self-admittedly been a workaholic. Which isn’t all that bad, considering I love what I do, can do it from home and it doesn’t take me away from my family as much as it does other workaholics. With me, it’s more about the mental workaholicism – even when I’m not in front of the computer, I’m still working.
I think this weekend was a case of reaching maximum capacity, and deliberately taking a break. I’ve forgotten how much I actually like to do “normal people” stuff on the weekends, rather than saturate my already-saturated mind with work.
Saturday morning at my son’s baseball practice I heard his coach utter the cliche, “Kids, there’s no I in team.” For me this weekend was all about there being “no Team in I”. I learned that it’s ok to take time off for myself, because I actually feel more refreshed than I have in quite a while.
Funny how life works…
This would be why Saturdays are sacrosanct with me
The reboot/recharge/refresh is worth it. Can’t wait to see what you come up with for work after your break 
We shall see… thankfully, like with sleep – I only required these recharges once in a great while. But this weekend I got both.
not only is it “ok” … it’s a requirement to actually be the most productive in the big picture.
p.s. – great pix
Thanks Jonathan – agreed, and I need to see the bigger picture. Like I said, more revitalized than I’ve been in a while, which like you said – big picture – is a good thing!
Trying hard to do this too, as I realized not too long ago, I didn’t miss much not being “present” online over the weekend. Then I fell into the trap of it being quiet, so then I could catch up.
Then? I’m regularly scheduling work in the weekends.
This so does not work.
thanks for the reminder.
You’re welcome for the reminder… I think we all need one from time to time, which is precisely why I wrote this. After all, my new lifestream is about sharing what I learn when my personal/business paths cross.
Thanks for your blog today, Brian. I am also a workaholic and rarely take time out for myself. It’s nice to have a reminder that it’s okay. Just looking at the photo made my blood pressure go down.
Have a pleasant day!
You bet Beth, as I mentioned to Andrea – we all need these reminders. I try to take time once in a while for myself, to pacify my thinking and escape the busyness of my normal week.
It’s good to see an actual human being behind all those templates.
I like seeing the people side of you, Brian and will definitely follow this BLOG with piqued interest. There’s enough corporate / business speak on the web and not enough actual people, so good on you for revealing a little of yourself. On another note, if this pic is of you, I find communing with nature by a large body of water (ie. the sea) to be the most refreshing. Nice stuff.
Hey Edwin – nice to see you drop by, and yes – there is a human being (and not a machine) behind all of those WordPress themes. The pic isn’t actually of me – I’m not a photographer, and also want to support independent contractors so I’m purchasing images from iStockphoto for use on my lifestream.
Your 5-minutes e-mail response time is a proof you are workaholic. I like your idea with “no Team in I”.
It’s even worse when those 5 minutes responses occur at midnight.
Hi Brian!
I found your name in “WordPress for Dummies” and am interested in using your services for my blog (I use your lifestyle theme). I can’t find any contact info on your site. Maybe intentionally?
I am a beauty subject matter expert/techno phobe/Believer and loved your bio…
Please contact me asap so I can further discuss my needs!
Hey Melissa – sorry about the lack of a contact form – I forgot to set it up when I launched the site… what can I help you with?
Thanks for this Brian… I guess it’s one of the reason we’re reminded time and again that God created the Sabbath for man. He knows far better than we ever could how true your words are.
It’s time for you, for your family, for your walk with Him and the better you get at it the better the other six days go…
And by you I mean me. I mean we. I mean anyone!
Hey Andy – yes, you’re so very right… maybe I should take literally the interpretation that we should take Sundays off. I know that me, my family and probably the WP community would benefit if I did!
Work can be a pleasant addiction. I’m on maintenance doses right now. The ocean and mountains are calling with increased volume. No people, just landscape.
Sounds like a good place to be Marc…
That’s sooo true! I feel your pain. I am a workaholic as you. I love what I do SOOO MUCH, I get excited of new ideas, that I want to implement all at once, I think 24/7 about my photography business, but sometime I feel exhausted of constantly being excited about it.:) I have to take a day off once in a while without a camera in my hands and just relax…
Thank you for your post.
You’re welcome, and good to know that I’m not the only one who loves work!
Brian,
As one work-a-holic to another, it does everyone good to take a break. At first, you are a bit antsy, needing to check your email “just for a second” or do some quick edits on your website. It is like a junkie needing just another hit before going cold-turkey. I think we see taking a break so difficult because we are perfectionists who feel if we are not constantly involved, the world will collapse from our slight lack of attention.
Ironic that we choose self-employment to get closer to our families and have more control of our lives, but we end up being more distant from our families and work controlling our lives.
I think of time-off as therapy. At least that’s what I tell myself when I decide to watch the Cubs all afternoon rather than chained to the computer watching headlines.
Hi Brian,
Solitude is always good for workaholics. I seem to be working continuously either on the computer or brainstorming about what to do when I get back on the computer. Unfortunately, unlike most workaholics, my work does not produce the necessary payback in terms of rent, food or gas money. That makes it all a little less worth it. At least in my opinion. Here’s hoping some of my workaholicism pays off in the future.
Great post as usual.
Brian
Interesting article. You’re lucky that you can take some time for yourself. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it – just not a luxury everyone has.