Comments on: Anticipation http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/ Organization and time management for people in their “right” minds Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:35:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cairene http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1074 Cairene Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:58:10 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1074 @Sarah The "turning off" is what's taking so much practice - because it <em>is</em> hard. I'm having to invent all kinds of tools and rituals to help me with that. But it's turning out not to be impossible. It seems to me there's a difference between feeling <em>addicted</em> to your work and <em>loving</em> your work. The one is about fear and the other is about, well, love. It's okay to love your job. And I don't believe in "work/life balance" because who says it's 50/50 for everyone? There is a right ratio <em>for you</em>. But I'm guessing laughing for two hours at the pool with your family (which sounds sooo delicious, btw) changed how you returned to that work you love. Maybe took the edge off the fearful compulsion and reminded you of the joy? Gave your brain a break? Restored some perspective? All of which perhaps made the work better in many ways? <em>That's</em> why we need the R&R... And I think you're right in intuiting that you need to have "replacement activities" that match the level of love you feel for your work - otherwise work is always going to seem more fun. That's where the notion of "balance" might be useful - not quantity, but quality. Best to you in continuing to try! -C @Sarah
The “turning off” is what’s taking so much practice – because it is hard. I’m having to invent all kinds of tools and rituals to help me with that. But it’s turning out not to be impossible.

It seems to me there’s a difference between feeling addicted to your work and loving your work. The one is about fear and the other is about, well, love. It’s okay to love your job. And I don’t believe in “work/life balance” because who says it’s 50/50 for everyone? There is a right ratio for you.

But I’m guessing laughing for two hours at the pool with your family (which sounds sooo delicious, btw) changed how you returned to that work you love. Maybe took the edge off the fearful compulsion and reminded you of the joy? Gave your brain a break? Restored some perspective? All of which perhaps made the work better in many ways? That’s why we need the R&R…

And I think you’re right in intuiting that you need to have “replacement activities” that match the level of love you feel for your work – otherwise work is always going to seem more fun. That’s where the notion of “balance” might be useful – not quantity, but quality.

Best to you in continuing to try! -C

]]> By: Sarah Bray http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1073 Sarah Bray Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:09:57 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1073 I definitely get caught in the "too many times around the hamster wheel of my mind" trap. It's hard to turn off at the end of the week. I'm really inspired by your commitment to a good solid rest. Sometimes I think it's impossible. I love to work. I'm addicted to work. So it's hard to find a replacement activity. I went to the pool with my family today, though (during work hours!). It was wonderful. I think I laughed for two straight hours. So maybe it is possible to make the separation. It's certainly worth it to try. I definitely get caught in the “too many times around the hamster wheel of my mind” trap. It’s hard to turn off at the end of the week.

I’m really inspired by your commitment to a good solid rest. Sometimes I think it’s impossible. I love to work. I’m addicted to work. So it’s hard to find a replacement activity.

I went to the pool with my family today, though (during work hours!). It was wonderful. I think I laughed for two straight hours. So maybe it is possible to make the separation. It’s certainly worth it to try.

]]> By: Cairene http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1072 Cairene Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:40:06 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1072 @Bullwinkle - It's all about transitions. And being intentional about them. Give yourself a specific time and place to figure out the house stuff (like the half hour on the train - yay for realizations!). Your brain is just trying to help you out - so let it. Then it won't have to fret while you're trying to enjoy your morning walk. Or your weekend. :) C @Bullwinkle -
It’s all about transitions. And being intentional about them. Give yourself a specific time and place to figure out the house stuff (like the half hour on the train – yay for realizations!). Your brain is just trying to help you out – so let it. Then it won’t have to fret while you’re trying to enjoy your morning walk. Or your weekend. :) C

]]> By: Bullwinkle http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1071 Bullwinkle Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:11:06 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1071 I've begun tele-working on Mondays. Today (Tuesday) on the morning walk with Dude and Dog, I said: "this teleworking thing isn't working. I get up on Tuesday thinking of all the stuff that has to be done (around the house) before next weekend." And Dude said: "(Teleworking) works just great. You used to do that on Monday." Now I just have a shorter time to fret. This concept of having weekends off is (apparently) seeping in slowly. Thank you. (I am having a little trouble getting focused on Monday a.m. (possibly because I'm home and not at work, and I haven't knit on the train for 1/2 hour getting my thoughts together (omg - that was a realization as I'm typing! Thankyou!) I'm going to try more intentional "readying" on Friday afternoon as I'm clearing for the weekend.) I’ve begun tele-working on Mondays. Today (Tuesday) on the morning walk with Dude and Dog, I said: “this teleworking thing isn’t working. I get up on Tuesday thinking of all the stuff that has to be done (around the house) before next weekend.” And Dude said: “(Teleworking) works just great. You used to do that on Monday.”

Now I just have a shorter time to fret.

This concept of having weekends off is (apparently) seeping in slowly. Thank you. (I am having a little trouble getting focused on Monday a.m. (possibly because I’m home and not at work, and I haven’t knit on the train for 1/2 hour getting my thoughts together (omg – that was a realization as I’m typing! Thankyou!) I’m going to try more intentional “readying” on Friday afternoon as I’m clearing for the weekend.)

]]> By: Cairene http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1070 Cairene Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:48:48 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1070 @Susan - The tricky thing about boundaries is wanting to have a whole, integrated life, but without everything spilling into everything else (like working all the time). So for me the lines are more like guidelines, the edges of containers, but still with a little room for slosh. :) And thinking about the weekend just gets more fun as you get the hang of it. Play on! -C @Susan -
The tricky thing about boundaries is wanting to have a whole, integrated life, but without everything spilling into everything else (like working all the time). So for me the lines are more like guidelines, the edges of containers, but still with a little room for slosh. :)

And thinking about the weekend just gets more fun as you get the hang of it. Play on! -C

]]> By: Cairene http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1069 Cairene Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:44:21 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1069 @Christine Ha! weekends off = radical. What have we come to? ;-) I do believe it *is* possible. And based on what's happening in our little Never on a Sunday group, I'd say it's possible for everyone. Here's to shifting! -C @Christine
Ha! weekends off = radical. What have we come to? ;-)
I do believe it *is* possible. And based on what’s happening in our little Never on a Sunday group, I’d say it’s possible for everyone.
Here’s to shifting! -C

]]> By: Christine Martell http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1067 Christine Martell Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:44:33 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1067 This is so radical. I'm watching with fascination, the kind of attention one might use to study an anthill, or any other complex system. Is it really possible? And if she can do it, would it be possible for me? Still in the realm of outrageous thought, but its shifting. This is so radical. I’m watching with fascination, the kind of attention one might use to study an anthill, or any other complex system. Is it really possible? And if she can do it, would it be possible for me? Still in the realm of outrageous thought, but its shifting.

]]> By: Susan aka Miss R http://thirdhandworks.com/2009/08/anticipation/comment-page-1/#comment-1068 Susan aka Miss R Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:45:56 +0000 http://thirdhandworks.wordpress.com/?p=1575#comment-1068 Great post with incredible insight for yourself and others. I just love the idea of thinking about my weekend as a vacation since for the past year the lines between workplaypersonallife haven't been there and need to be created and honored. Glad to see I'm not alone in my struggle to achieve this! Great post with incredible insight for yourself and others. I just love the idea of thinking about my weekend as a vacation since for the past year the lines between workplaypersonallife haven’t been there and need to be created and honored. Glad to see I’m not alone in my struggle to achieve this!

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