Are you addicted?

[WCD Admin]

Am I alone? I really like doing what I do. But sometimes I feel like I'm missing a lot of my "real" life to this job. I do projects that push me to the limit and they are really fun and exciting. I love domain acquisition and building networks and planning. I like developing and working with programmers. Then I realize I'm on second or third pot of coffee and feel like - well I like this, but I'm having a hard time getting away. Then I feel overwhelmed and wonder why was I doing it to begin with and want to sell everything.

Does anyone else ever get these feelings?
Does everyone have an escape plan? so they can stop working?

[bb1webs]

Get out of my head sir!


The difference being that I don't have the knowledge you do so I fumble along a bit differently, but my successes are to me ... the same as I am sure yours are to you.

so what if you invented a rocket ship and I just learned to fold a paper plane. Still moving forward eh?

I find now that I have spread myself too thin. each project seemingly important for its own (my own) reason.

I've come to the conclusion thanks to not being able to financially sustain my "hobbies" ... that I have to cut back. Sell babies for pennies on the dollars they are worth to myself.

......


That said, I'm facing 50 in a few years. Just how much time will I have the luxury of "putting off a game of baseball for completing that website"?

that's a crude example but I trust you smart folks get the drift.

I don't even have any scenarios to offer. Just lot of lost.

[WCD Admin]

Yeah, man. Steve, I hear you loud and clear. For me its getting to go out in the woods and hiking, etc... I'm planning to do something about it this year!! It's my New Years resolution.

[dominique]

In your later 40s - thats when I got started in this business, so you are way ahead of me .

I get these moments too - but really, you get them whatever business you are in, there is nothing unique about it. Sometimes I am awfully tempted to sell the whole kit and kaboodle, and once I even did and then bought it back.

I have made some changes in my life that make it more fun to stay with it:

1. I get up early and start work early (really early!), so that I can follow a rule about shutting the computer off early in the evening - usually when it gets dark, that's like before 5pm in the winter and later in the summer. That gives me a life after work...

2. I still work every day of the week, and I do put in long hours, but I make it a point to get up and leave the computer every couple of hours to step outside and play with my dog or something. Just a few minutes away, but frequently, works wonders.

3. I picked up on an old hobby that had fallen by the wayside. In my case it's gardening, but it could be anything you used to love to do but haven't kept up with. It should be a stress free hobby, not a heavily competitive thing.

Those three things made a huge difference in my life while taking little or nothing away from work. If anything, I am more productive now.

As far as permanent escape clause - the same as everyone, get debt free and gather up a nest egg for retirement. Step one completed, working on step two. The younger you are, the more of a nest egg you need to retire on. So make a plan, set times in terms of years, and go for it. Babysteps are fine to start, you can make bigger steps as you proceed.

[bonusgeek]

I am in the same boat too. I wake up and most of the time I don't know where to start my day because I have so many projects going on. I try to look at it as sacrificing myself, at least for a few more years and then I can start to step back and enjoy my success.

I always have a knot in my stomach thinking this ride is going to end tomorrow so I am trying to get it while the getting is good. For all I know next year the government might block all ip address to anything gambling related and my income drops 80%.

So I might not have the best social life right now, but on the flip side I own everything outright which is a really good feeling. I am also able to do nice things for my parents which is an even better feeling, they never really had much of a break in life. This is what really sustains me. So burring my head in this stupid computer 15 hours a day is worth it to me. I have a number in mind and when I reach that number my life is going to be a non stop party. I just hope I can remember how to live when that time comes!!!

[dominique]

I find my limit to be 12 hours, if I go 15 or more (and I did for years) my brain goes in overdrive and I am actually less productive because in overdrive one gets confused about what to do next.

The small frequent breaks (like 5 to 10 mins every 2 hours) allow fresh perspective everytime I sit down and somehow those 5 minutes away let stuff gel in my brain and I know exactly what to do and how to do it when I get back.

Physical activity works very well ( a few simple exercises to losen up will do) or a quick short walk (even just around the house), playing with a dog or child, anything that will cause your brain to disconnect from the computer for just a few minutes.

Hiking in the woods is a perfect hobby, it's the kind of activity that lets your mind roam in a calming environment, and soon your attention gets drawn to little things like a weird tree or unexpected flower or critter and that sort of thing provides real disconnect from work.

And IMO that is the issue - disconnecting. I used to never disconnect, I would dream work at night after working all my waking hours.

These changes are minor and easy to integrate, and the hobby can have half a day on the weekend devoted to it.

As far as the little breaks, I am now in the habit of pushing back the chair and getting up everytime I hit something that is a bit frustrating. It comes completely naturally now. At first I had to set times but not anymore.

Bonusgeek, I understand totally what you mean about your parents. Mine are long gone, but I have an old aunt who lives in Munich and it's fun to take care of her even long distance - the web is amazing that way. If she complains about having a cold, I can have chicken soup, orange juice, tea, and honey delivered to her door. If her TV is on the blink, I can have one delivered and set up and the old one removed. I probably have more fun doing this than she does receiving it. She is getting up there in years and a lot of things that are a minor irritation for us become overwhelming to her and I can take care of all of it even long distance.

[bonusgeek]

I agree, nothing allows me to disconnect more than nature. We started renovating some time ago and a lot of what we are doing on the outside will offer me the tranquility I need to really enjoy my timeouts during the workday like this water feature. We are doing a lot of waterfalls and such throughout the property and finally after a year and a half we are just a few months away from completing. Serenity now, serenity now!!!

Hiking in the woods is a perfect hobby, it's the kind of activity that lets your mind roam in a calming environment, and soon your attention gets drawn to little things like a weird tree or unexpected flower or critter and that sort of thing provides real disconnect from work.

And IMO that is the issue - disconnecting. I used to never disconnect, I would dream work at night after working all my waking hours.

[dominique]

Serenity now, you got it!

Nothing like the sound of water....

We've been building here for 3 years, first the house for two years, then landscaping and outdoor structures for a year, and now I am tackling the ancient barn. I don't think I'll ever get done, I enjoy the design part too much. I love stepping outside the house now. Can't wait for spring...

[Guard Dog]

haha... Serenity now. I use that occasionally as a joke (with a tinge of seriousness) myself

I still work 20 hours a day at times. It's difficult to disconnect at times, but I find myself getting much better at it lately. I have emails to phone, so I can respond to something quickly and without heading to the computer where I will be tempted to spend an hour or more.

We have a swimming pool.... but it's a bit frigid (and solid) here to worry about that now!

Bonusgeek ~ Looks like a nice place you have there. Serenity may just come sitting on the upper balcony looking over the land. Looks awesome.

[bonusgeek]

Bonusgeek ~ Looks like a nice place you have there. Serenity may just come sitting on the upper balcony looking over the land. Looks awesome.

Thanks bro!!!