separating the personal from the professional

[porcupinecutie]

hello, everyone!

for those who are working from home now due to the pandemic, how do you keep your personal and professional life separated? it really is difficult to keep the lines clear because i think working from home = being available to work 24/7. i know that this is a bad mindset to have, but that seems to be what's happening. i tried doing my hobbies on a set time (bingewatching and playing games) but my mind still goes back to my work.


i'm getting tired of this setup. how i wish i could go back to my office now.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Very difficult when working for yourself but something to try is to make a list of everything you need to do the following day so that you can A: hit the ground running as soon as you start and B: know in your mind that you have things in hand, which should help avoid the I better do this to keep up state of mind.

 

[BustersDogs]

I have the opposite. Being self employed, family think I am available 24/7, when actually I'm WORKING tyvm

 

[AllUpHere]

I look at it in the opposite way to most people. I don't make a distinction; I'm working and not working all the time. Unless I have a call booked at a certain time, I'm pretty much infinity flexible.

Edit. Yes, I realise 'prettv much infinite' is an oxymoron ( and a stupid thing to say).

 

[Ozzy]

The past year have blurred the lines, I agree. When I started out self employed back in the late '90's I was working 24/7 because home was my work, and I've never been a great TV watcher so evenings I "might as well get some work done".
It took a few years but as business grew I was able to step away, and for the past number of years I've been able to go on holidays, have un-interrupted weekends and evenings, work never encroached into my personal life ... but for whatever reason this past year that's all changed it does feel like I'm back to how it was before.

Completely agree with @BustersDogs issue from way back when, the amount of times my family just assumed I was always available because I was at home! No concept that I actually had a job to do.

 

[fisicx]

I just get on with what ever needs doing. Don’t ever worry about keeping them separate

 

[porcupinecutie]

Very difficult when working for yourself but something to try is to make a list of everything you need to do the following day so that you can A: hit the ground running as soon as you start and B: know in your mind that you have things in hand, which should help avoid the I better do this to keep up state of mind.

That does sound helpful. Do you think this would help even though what I do for work is the same for each and every day?

 

[porcupinecutie]

I have the opposite. Being self employed, family think I am available 24/7, when actually I'm WORKING tyvm

Hahahahaha that is unfortunate. I'm glad that my family knows and understands that I do need to work even when I'm "physically available" to be with them. Despite that, they are still advising me to set some clear boundaries for work and personal life even at home.

 

[porcupinecutie]

I look at it in the opposite way to most people. I don't make a distinction; I'm working and not working all the time. Unless I have a call booked at a certain time, I'm pretty much infinity flexible.

Edit. Yes, I realise 'prettv much infinite' is an oxymoron ( and a stupid thing to say).

That is what I tried to do before and it worked for a while. After that, I feel burned out because I'm always prioritizing my work over my personal matters. I do agree about that flexible stuff, but you can only get stretched for too much.

 

[porcupinecutie]

The past year have blurred the lines, I agree. When I started out self employed back in the late '90's I was working 24/7 because home was my work, and I've never been a great TV watcher so evenings I "might as well get some work done".
It took a few years but as business grew I was able to step away, and for the past number of years I've been able to go on holidays, have un-interrupted weekends and evenings, work never encroached into my personal life ... but for whatever reason this past year that's all changed it does feel like I'm back to how it was before.

Completely agree with @BustersDogs issue from way back when, the amount of times my family just assumed I was always available because I was at home! No concept that I actually had a job to do.

how I wish to have that, Ozzy. I think the only thing that stops me is that i am an employee without an idea of becoming an employer soon. So you know, my hands are kinda tied.

 

[porcupinecutie]

I just get on with what ever needs doing. Don’t ever worry about keeping them separate

Don't you ever feel burned out about it though? Because I did and it is getting worse each and every day

 

[fisicx]

Don't you ever feel burned out about it though? Because I did and it is getting worse each and every day

No. But that's because I don't chase the money. I do 2-3 hours work each day and nothing at the weekends.

 

[Ozzy]

I find an overwhelming sense of duty and responsibility that is behind my change in working habits over the past year. Other peoples mortgages and livelihoods resting on my shoulders looking to me to reassure them and keep them in work.
As we start to come out the other side I do feel some of that weight lifting though, and but I'm very aware there is still much more road ahead for many. We as an organisation I'm thankful and aware how lucky we are that our business has returned to pre-covid revenues, and don't take that for granted.

 

[peppermintlover]

hello, everyone!

for those who are working from home now due to the pandemic, how do you keep your personal and professional life separated? it really is difficult to keep the lines clear because i think working from home = being available to work 24/7. i know that this is a bad mindset to have, but that seems to be what's happening. i tried doing my hobbies on a set time (bingewatching and playing games) but my mind still goes back to my work.


i'm getting tired of this setup. how i wish i could go back to my office now.

We are in the same boat. Although I was able to come to work when the restrictions were lifted off for a while, it was hard being shunned back again to working remotely. I think sticking to a strict regime can be a temporary way to solve this.

 

[peppermintlover]

hello, everyone!

for those who are working from home now due to the pandemic, how do you keep your personal and professional life separated? it really is difficult to keep the lines clear because i think working from home = being available to work 24/7. i know that this is a bad mindset to have, but that seems to be what's happening. i tried doing my hobbies on a set time (bingewatching and playing games) but my mind still goes back to my work.


i'm getting tired of this setup. how i wish i could go back to my office now.

In addition to what I said, what I do now is try to stick to a regime and setting clear boundaries between me and my colleagues, more specifically when it comes to off-work hours. Hope this help!

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

That does sound helpful. Do you think this would help even though what I do for work is the same for each and every day?

Are you though? If you were back in the office you wouldn't be working 24/7, you'd have a set of hours to do 'x' amount of work.
Do you work for yourself or is this an employed role?

 

[Financial-Modeller]

Using a co-working space nearby helps me with the separation a lot. Its worth every penny.

 

[porcupinecutie]

No. But that's because I don't chase the money. I do 2-3 hours work each day and nothing at the weekends.

The time you spend working really does make a different, eh? Even though I really don't chase the money, that is what keeps me going through my 8-hour shift per day.

 

[porcupinecutie]

I find an overwhelming sense of duty and responsibility that is behind my change in working habits over the past year. Other peoples mortgages and livelihoods resting on my shoulders looking to me to reassure them and keep them in work.
As we start to come out the other side I do feel some of that weight lifting though, and but I'm very aware there is still much more road ahead for many. We as an organisation I'm thankful and aware how lucky we are that our business has returned to pre-covid revenues, and don't take that for granted.

That is so good to know! We can also wish to say the same for our business.

 

[porcupinecutie]

In addition to what I said, what I do now is try to stick to a regime and setting clear boundaries between me and my colleagues, more specifically when it comes to off-work hours. Hope this help!

Well, I tried to do that but my mind is just getting too filled with work-related stuff that I still constantly check our platforms for updates on our processes.

 

[porcupinecutie]

Are you though? If you were back in the office you wouldn't be working 24/7, you'd have a set of hours to do 'x' amount of work.
Do you work for yourself or is this an employed role?

This is an employed role, a desk job. So it's really repetitive. I think that even though it's the same, working on an office still separates the professional from the personal.

 

[porcupinecutie]

Using a co-working space nearby helps me with the separation a lot. Its worth every penny.

Aren't they risky during these times? I also thought of it but I do not know anyone who has done this during this time and I am kinda scared to still go out if I have no prior knowledge of the state of the place.

 

[peppermintlover]

Well, I tried to do that but my mind is just getting too filled with work-related stuff that I still constantly check our platforms for updates on our processes.

Well, it comes down to how committed you are in separating your work and personal life. It is really hard at first but you will soon find it freeing.

 

[Financial-Modeller]

Aren't they risky during these times? I also thought of it but I do not know anyone who has done this during this time and I am kinda scared to still go out if I have no prior knowledge of the state of the place.

We've followed all guidance on social distancing, cleaning etc since July. For a short while four of us were sharing four 600 square foot offices and a kitchen, so we had one each! No cases of Covid at mine and the wellbeing has definitely outweighed the risk.

 

[porcupinecutie]

We've followed all guidance on social distancing, cleaning etc since July. For a short while four of us were sharing four 600 square foot offices and a kitchen, so we had one each! No cases of Covid at mine and the wellbeing has definitely outweighed the risk.

Well, that seems a good news. I might take a look on those near me if they are also on the same state as you. Thank you so much for your insight!

 

[porcupinecutie]

Well, it comes down to how committed you are in separating your work and personal life. It is really hard at first but you will soon find it freeing.

I do hope that it becomes freeing soon. It's taking a toll on me now.

 

[fisicx]

I do hope that it becomes freeing soon. It's taking a toll on me now.

Keep going, only 4 more posts to get to that magical 30

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Transport is a way of life , Its my life .This business is my life and I have given it everything . I am proud of this operation.
So why would I see the need to separate my work from my personal life . This is not something that you can shut at 5 PM on a Friday and forget about until Monday .
Things happen around the clock 24/7 . You dont know what is coming in next and where in Europe you are going to be sending somebody (or even going myself if the weather is nice in that part of the world) .

If I need to get away from it I can easily pass the phone over to somebody else but on the whole I am reading the emails 24/7 (phone alerts) and I can be contacted at anytime . We respond faster than anybody else to our customers .

The idea of separating your business from your personal life is taken too seriously. If you want your business to be successful it would probably be a benefit to drop this idea .
I understand that some of the older ones on here can do it with their eyes closed now and can enjoy the time off a lot but I would say that this thread would apply more to those that are start ups or in the first five years where they can not miss out on opportunities.
Your business should have a positive impact on your life and the idea of putting things into separate boxes could make you despise your company when things get tough

Someone once said
If you enjoy your job you will never do a days work in your life
Its something like that

 

[Mr D]

I mostly use a different laptop for professional use and have my company one for business and whatever internet access stuff I need (occasional meeting / conference / training).
I use the same chair for both. The professional laptop I use a desk screen plus keyboard and mouse. Equipment I never use for other laptop.

Work is done on work time. Business is done on business time, limited by contract in hours worked.
Very easy to keep things apart. Two mobile phones, two laptops, two jobs.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Very easy to keep things apart. Two mobile phones, two laptops, two jobs

Thats a trap phone
Your a drug dealer

 

[Mr D]

Thats a trap phone
Your a drug dealer

No, simply a phone supplied by employer. Common where people make a lot of calls and employer wants to keep track of phone expenses.

Encron phones are so last year. There are other phones as replacements but as in everything you pay a premium for a premium service.

 

[porcupinecutie]

The idea of separating your business from your personal life is taken too seriously. If you want your business to be successful it would probably be a benefit to drop this idea .
I understand that some of the older ones on here can do it with their eyes closed now and can enjoy the time off a lot but I would say that this thread would apply more to those that are start ups or in the first five years where they can not miss out on opportunities.
Your business should have a positive impact on your life and the idea of putting things into separate boxes could make you despise your company when things get tough

This is definitely a new perspective to have. Maybe it really depends on how you view life. For me, I think there is more to life than working my ass off. Thanks for this advice!

 

[porcupinecutie]

Very easy to keep things apart. Two mobile phones, two laptops, two jobs.

This really sounds good in theory but our company does not have the luxury to provide another gadget for us for the sole use of working. Maybe I'll try setting up profiles in my computer to have that sense of distinction somehow. Thanks for this!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

This is definitely a new perspective to have. Maybe it really depends on how you view life. For me, I think there is more to life than working my ass off. Thanks for this advice!

Do you want it to do well for your family's future or do you just want to take a chance
There more to life than not having any money as well

 

[porcupinecutie]

Do you want it to do well for your family's future or do you just want to take a chance
There more to life than not having any money as well

There's no question about it, I definitely want to do well for my family and enjoy life's greater things–and I agree, there's life beyond money. But money opens opportunities, and no one really wants to live in poverty. A stress-free and plentiful life... that's what we all want, don't we?

 

[AllUpHere]

I always thought that the key to reducing stress was to have more money. When I was younger I used to think that if I was a millionaire I'd be able to pay people to do all the stuff I didn't want to do. It doesn't work though, the stresses just change a bit.

 

[porcupinecutie]

I always thought that the key to reducing stress was to have more money. When I was younger I used to think that if I was a millionaire I'd be able to pay people to do all the stuff I didn't want to do. It doesn't work though, the stresses just change a bit.

We will always have problems, money doesn't erase that. But it does remove all the basic worries in life–you don't need to fret about food, shelter, and safety. You also have the added benefit of leisure; travelling where you want to, enjoying entertainment, and trying out different things in life. I forgot the name of that movie, but there's this quote that says what right do we have to be sad, when others have it far worse?

 

[AllUpHere]

We will always have problems, money doesn't erase that. But it does remove all the basic worries in life–you don't need to fret about food, shelter, and safety. You also have the added benefit of leisure; travelling where you want to, enjoying entertainment, and trying out different things in life. I forgot the name of that movie, but there's this quote that says what right do we have to be sad, when others have it far worse?

You need a tiny amount of money to alleviate all of those very basic fears; above that, more money doesn't actually remove much more worry.

How much do you think it costs to feel secure? I reckon if you've got a stable income of between £4000 and £5000 per month you no longer need to worry about the basics. In a cheap part of the country, if you can get your hands on a few hundred thousand pounds you can buy a reasonable house with no mortgage and never have to worry about rent or other housing payment again.

So, anyone with a few hundred thousand pounds and a regular income of 4 - 5 grand per month is basic worry free. After that, any additional income has very diminishing returns (from an elimination of worry point of view).

I realise that for someone stuck in a rented home on 20 grand a year even the above is going to seem unrealistic. However, it does prove you don't need to be rich to be free of very basic worry.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

ou need a tiny amount of money to alleviate all of those very basic fears; above that, more money doesn't actually remove much more worry.
How much do you think it costs to feel secure? I reckon if you've got a stable income of between £4000 and £5000 per month you no longer need to worry about the basics.

Not sure if your calling £4-5k a month a tiny amount of money?

The marketing of so called essential brands, must have technology, overpriced coffee has nothing to do with working your way up in a job so that you can be comfortable, and all about you really gotta have this now'! We are all victims to a degree but the one's who suffer most are those who do not, cannot and most likely never will earn a comfortable living wage.

 

[fisicx]

How much do you think it costs to feel secure? I reckon if you've got a stable income of between £4000 and £5000 per month you no longer need to worry about the basics.

Knock a zero off that and I’m quite comfortable.