Posts Tagged ‘work from home’

Another issue that arose on Sparkplugging’s topic list was when to stop working for the day, a problem that face many who work in a home office.

At first, this may seem like a strange question.  There are days when, if asked, I definitely believe work should be stopped at 8:15…and I don’t start working until 9.  However, there is the small matter of clients and clients are important because they pay.  Paying is important because it means money…  So sadly, I have to put in a solid 8-12 hour day rather than the -45 minute day I of which dream.

Also, I find that once I am in the groove, it’s hard to stop.  There is always one more thing I can do.  Herein lies the beauty and the curse of the PAR System: I have a list.  I know what needs to be done.  So if I am done with priorities 1,2, and 3… I know priorities 4,5,6,7,etc. They’re right there in my list.

Which presents two unique challenges.  Either I am motiviated to get a lot done, but need to stop in order to Reward myself for accomplishing my goals, let my batteries recharge, and spend a little time with the family or I am completely unmotivated and need to get work done so I can afford to give myself a Reward, let my batteries recharge, and feed my family.

This is where I let the PAR System be my guide.  I have my task list and each task has a priority next to it.  My goal in an average day is to finish my top priorities (this is usually priorities 1-3)  Once I am done with that, I know I can stop.  If I need the extra time to recharge, I can kick back and relax knowing that I have done what I needed to for that day.   I also know that if I am feeling motivated, that I can stop guilt free anytime after my highest priority items are accomplished.  Then I just ride the wave of motivation I am ready to stop.

Of course, this is not an absolute answer.  But it works pretty well most days.

When do you stop?  You do stop, right?  You’re not burning yourself out, are you?