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Dear friends,
I hope you found time for rest and fun this summer! I'm back after an extended vacation- the longest one I've taken in over 20 years. It was surreal to be completely disconnected. I didn't check email for six weeks, and I did not do any work whatsoever. We had wonderful family adventures, and the most meaningful experience was spending uninterrupted time with my teens.
My amazing team and collaborators moved the work forward in my absence, and there were no disasters at work. When I came back, I started asking myself: why do I feel like I am in crisis mode so often, when things can proceed smoothly in my absence? I am not sure if this resonates with you, but I feel a sense of urgency about moving through my work that has pervaded my days and nights.
Before my vacation, I often had a sense that if I took care of a task that was weighing on me, I would feel better. So, I would regularly work in the evening, or on a weekend, and I would enjoy the feeling of "clearing the decks" so that I could feel OK about stepping away from work. The problem with the approach is that if you're always looking for a way to sneak in some work without disrupting family time or weekend plans, then work is always present in your consciousness. I did not realize how much the ever-present internal monologue of my work to-do list was affecting me until my long vacation forced me to truly separate. I came back feeling energized in a way I did not remember was possible.
Since I got back, I have decided to strive to mentally set my work aside on a regular basis. As a starting point, I'm going to try disconnecting completely between Friday COB and Monday morning. My goal is not only to unplug but to recharge my energy, drive, and creativity. I hate that this sounds like a radical approach! I will report back and see how it goes. In the short term, my productivity may go down, but I am hopeful that I will have more fortitude to weather the ups and downs of academia over the long term.
What guardrails can you put around your “work mode”? Try extending your current work-free time a little longer. I have been able to protect my Saturdays consistently, and now I’m extending to Sunday. When making changes to your work life, remember that feeling guilty doesn’t serve you, and any incremental step is still progress. Optimizing your relationship with work is a lifelong process- everyone needs to periodically reset their routines, goals, and habits.
As always, I love to hear from you. Please keep in touch and send me your successes so I can amplify them. Feel free to share the blog widely- sign up here at the bottom of the page to get monthly updates. I look forward to seeing you, and to better times.
Warmly,
Urmimala