We've all done it before. As a recovering academic, it was practically part of my job description: work until complete burnout. But if you want to have a long, productive career then you need to be sure you take care of yourself. Here are a few things I make sure to do now that I didn't necessarily do in the past.
Seriously, you need a chance to refresh and recharge. Even if you can't afford a luxury vacation to your destination of choice, take the time off at home and relax. Binge watch a show. Organize that junk drawer that drives you crazy the rest of the year. Do something other than work! You'll be much more productive if you take a break--take it from the man who didn't take a real vacation for over five years!
How many times have you heard this one? Hmm...maybe all those doctors and parents and researchers are on to something. Take the hint! It's not always possible to get all the sleep you need, but get as much as you can. Be efficient with your time, so you can hit the hay when your body needs to.
You can go get things checked out right away, or you can wait and the outcome will either be worse or recovery will take longer. You might as well go! Take care of health problems so they don't get in the way of you living a good life. Speaking of doctors...
As technologists, we spend way too many hours per day in front of a screen. I have yet to meet someone who's been in the field for decades who hasn't required eye surgery or corrective lenses as a result. Check your eyes annually (or whatever your doctor recommends for you) so that you can catch problems early. Your eyes are worth protecting.
Even if you have to do some work later in the evening, take some time to recharge. Have dinner with friends or family. Watch a favorite show. Working 14 hours straight per day doesn't always make you as productive as you think. Allow yourself an extended break, at the very least.
Professionally, you will always encounter someone you'd rather not work with. While you may not be able to avoid a toxic person at work, understand that you have more control over your personal life. Everyone has different definitions of toxic, but if someone is truly not supportive of you (they can be supportive even if they disagree with you), think twice before you spend time with them. Toxic people have a way of draining you emotionally and distracting you at all hours of the day. I know...I've had these people in my life before. Emphasis on had.
Everyone has a limit on how many little frustrations they can tolerate in a given day. Take time to identify and reduce yours. For example, I hated having to use my computer's speaker and microphone for business calls at home. My wife saw it was frustrating for me, so she got on Amazon and ordered me a nice headset that has made business calls a breeze. Problem solved.
How is this taking care of yourself? You can find things when you need them. You know if you need to go get something from a store. You don't seem scatter-brained at work. There are lots of things to organize: Your space, your time (calendar app, planner, etc.), and even your thoughts. When you are organized, you can be much more productive while working, and much more relaxed when recharging.
I know I need coffee in the morning. It not only wakes me up, it reduces some side effects of vitamins I have to take (doctor's orders!). I know I need a clutter-free place to relax. I know I need to get my eyes checked every year. I know I can't work 20 hours a day anymore (college was literally a lifetime ago for me). What do you need to be your best?
I'm sure there are dozens of other ways to take care of yourself. You've probably heard of them. There are tons of articles about it scattered around the Internet. Use tips that work for you, and feel free to ignore the ones that don't.
When you take care of yourself, you can be at your best professionally and personally. When you don't take care of yourself, people will notice. Take it from someone who has been told to go home (a few times) before - know your limits so that others don't need to point them out to you.
Go on Vacation
Seriously, you need a chance to refresh and recharge. Even if you can't afford a luxury vacation to your destination of choice, take the time off at home and relax. Binge watch a show. Organize that junk drawer that drives you crazy the rest of the year. Do something other than work! You'll be much more productive if you take a break--take it from the man who didn't take a real vacation for over five years!
Get Enough Sleep
How many times have you heard this one? Hmm...maybe all those doctors and parents and researchers are on to something. Take the hint! It's not always possible to get all the sleep you need, but get as much as you can. Be efficient with your time, so you can hit the hay when your body needs to.
If You Need to Go to the Doctor, Go!
You can go get things checked out right away, or you can wait and the outcome will either be worse or recovery will take longer. You might as well go! Take care of health problems so they don't get in the way of you living a good life. Speaking of doctors...
Get Thee to the Eye Doctor
As technologists, we spend way too many hours per day in front of a screen. I have yet to meet someone who's been in the field for decades who hasn't required eye surgery or corrective lenses as a result. Check your eyes annually (or whatever your doctor recommends for you) so that you can catch problems early. Your eyes are worth protecting.
Set Work Down at the End of the Day
Even if you have to do some work later in the evening, take some time to recharge. Have dinner with friends or family. Watch a favorite show. Working 14 hours straight per day doesn't always make you as productive as you think. Allow yourself an extended break, at the very least.
Be Wary of Toxic People in Your Personal Life
Professionally, you will always encounter someone you'd rather not work with. While you may not be able to avoid a toxic person at work, understand that you have more control over your personal life. Everyone has different definitions of toxic, but if someone is truly not supportive of you (they can be supportive even if they disagree with you), think twice before you spend time with them. Toxic people have a way of draining you emotionally and distracting you at all hours of the day. I know...I've had these people in my life before. Emphasis on had.
Reduce Frustrations Where You Can
Everyone has a limit on how many little frustrations they can tolerate in a given day. Take time to identify and reduce yours. For example, I hated having to use my computer's speaker and microphone for business calls at home. My wife saw it was frustrating for me, so she got on Amazon and ordered me a nice headset that has made business calls a breeze. Problem solved.
Be Organized
How is this taking care of yourself? You can find things when you need them. You know if you need to go get something from a store. You don't seem scatter-brained at work. There are lots of things to organize: Your space, your time (calendar app, planner, etc.), and even your thoughts. When you are organized, you can be much more productive while working, and much more relaxed when recharging.
Know What You Need
I know I need coffee in the morning. It not only wakes me up, it reduces some side effects of vitamins I have to take (doctor's orders!). I know I need a clutter-free place to relax. I know I need to get my eyes checked every year. I know I can't work 20 hours a day anymore (college was literally a lifetime ago for me). What do you need to be your best?
I'm sure there are dozens of other ways to take care of yourself. You've probably heard of them. There are tons of articles about it scattered around the Internet. Use tips that work for you, and feel free to ignore the ones that don't.
When you take care of yourself, you can be at your best professionally and personally. When you don't take care of yourself, people will notice. Take it from someone who has been told to go home (a few times) before - know your limits so that others don't need to point them out to you.