The Blue Board

I know, but the market is tough as you know, and when I talk to friends they feel the same way. My salary is good, so I understand pressure comes with a good salary. I just need to find a healthy balance, and was hoping people here had good advice. Thanks so much.

So you say that once I leave the office I just shut it off in my head? That's my question, how does one do that and have a healthy balance in their life?

Great advice. Anyone else? Thanks

No, wife and three beautiful kids my man.

man, you have a wife and kids and can't find a balance, you already are killing yourself.. no offense, but you got real shit to worry about, not some emails

Great movie.

I am the same way. I am pretty young and got caught up in my work very early because I like my job and wanted to do well. I was working 60-70 hours a week right out of school and was miserable at home. I would take phone calls at dinner and answer emails until about 3am. Had to make a change, really started to have an effect on my health. So I spoke with my boss and asked that the company include a iphone as a part of my employment there. That way I didn't have business people calling my personal cell phone. I now have two phones; my personal and my work. I turn the work phone off on the way to my car every night and do not turn it out until I get in the car in the morning. All the people I work with/do business with know I do not work past 6pm and NEVER on weekends. Everyone is very respectful of this policy and haven't run into a problem yet, most people actually applaud it and a few friends have done the same. I have more time to do productive things; I now have time to workout consistently and I'm no longer trying to run and read emails. Also, I've never been a big reader (and I'm still not) but I was given a couple of books on tape (they are narrated by Samuel L Jackson) as a birthday gift. I found them to be pretty therapeutic on the ride in/ride out (I live in Atl, sh*tty traffic capital of the world). Just my

What policy? Not working 24hrs/day?

You only have one shot at life, friend. Don't waste it for a little money. Enjoy your wife and kids all you can.

Yeah, I agree it sucks. I guess I am just nervous about making such a dramatic change. Exercise is a good idea. I definitely don't do enough of that. Any other great advice? I really appreciate all of your input. This will hopefully be helpful.

how old are you and how long have you been at your job.

the reason I ask - I have a high pressure job, and if I allowed myself I'd be fielding emails all day and night also...I am 33...it took me until my late 20s or around 30 years old to seperate myself. I gained a ton of weight, got unhealthy, etc....its not good for you. So it took me 6 or 7 years to realize that the world was not going to end if I waited until the next morning to check my email, nothing was going to burn down, no one was going to die.

And you know what? You can still do some work at night, but do it relaxed, take it easy, don't stress. Do it rarely when its really important, in your boxers, with a beer in your hand.

you also may need an after work hobby. I started strength training...its a great release and one you should give a try. There is nothing like deadlifting and squatting some heavyass weight...it realy compensates for the other side of your life lol.

Yeah he is, it's cheaper than you having a nervous breakdown at work, losing clients/customers, draining the group health benefits, or going on a Fight Club style rampage on everyone.

Amen^^^.

OP, you HAVE TO learn to shut off work. IF you keep responding to emails and bringing work home, it will only errode your life and family. There has to be balance and if you don't make those lines clearly defined in your life, you will die at an early age. (just being brutally honest)

There is MORE to life than work, but no one can just tell you that--you have to realize it yourself and do what you need to do. Just as you brought work home, you can shut it off when you enter your home. If that means establishing you cut off your work phone when you cross your threshold at home or you just say "after 6pm, I do not do work until the next day", you make those parameters and stick to them.

In the end, you will make decisions to protect what's important to you. It's your call to make.