Sometimes I get so incredibly motivated that all I can think about is coding, designing and pushing a project out. It consumes my days and nights. It consumes my work time. It consumes my free time.
Motivation is a great thing, but sometimes it gets to a dangerous level with me. It can get to the level of obsession. However, I will say that if anyone in this world puts out an excellent product, they probably had to be pretty hardcore about making it.
So I am caught in this state of trying to maintain balance. I need rest. I need play. I need socialization beyond my coworkers and wife. However, I can’t seem to get beyond something within me that keeps driving me to create, driving me to invent. It frustrates the heck out of me.
I have been on both sides. I have not contributed an ounce to my goals. I have been lethargic and purely followed pleasure and play. That is just not good enough. I need goals and dreams. I need to push myself. However, once I realize this I seem to flip-flop in my thinking and push myself too hard, lose sleep, lose motivation, go into my own world, etc.
I need balance. I know that I need moderation and that will take care of my issues. However, I have trouble just like anyone at moderation. That is why this time, I ask you. What is it that you do to destress, to relax, to be moderate, to enjoy life. What is it that you do that makes you more inspired to come back and work hardcore on a sweet idea or invention? How do you recharge?
I hear you 100%. Ever since I went solo, I’ve been working 18 hour days. Not because I technically need to, but because the time is there, and I have a bunch of projects that I’m working one. I get so excited about my work that I sometimes forget to break for lunch. For me, that “destresser” comes in the form of music. I’m either listening to music, playing drums, or playing guitar throughout the entire day. It helps me to get away for a those crucial ‘few-minutes’ here and there.
I’ve also dug out my gamecube and have been taking an hour every day to just sit in front of the TV and play mindless games. That helps too.
And please ignore the grammar mistakes, thats what happens the morning after an 18 hour day. :)
Oh yea, I’m diggin’ the new design.
I bought a Gamecube for that very reason. Gaming is my love and I have really got out of touch with it. Ohh, and I hear you on the lunch break skipping. I do that all too many times. Somehow, I have a feeling that the recipe to success involves:
Right amount of sleep
Working out
Eating well
Videogaming
Gaming is probably that last thing I would ever do to destress. What helps me is heading to the dogpark with my dog and chucking the frisbee around, or going swimming. Basically, getting away from a screen, breathing fresh air, and interacting with the world, if just for a couple of hours, enables me to get back into working.
Good advice Dan. Everybody destresses in their own way. However, doing one thing too much is never good. Your example of being in front of a screen all day makes me doubt my gaming release mechanism ;)
I’ve got the same problem.. Especially at night when it’s time to shut down, my mind keeps going crazy about things I could be working on.
Sometimes I get so incredibly motivated that all I can think about is coding..
Yes, I know it very well :o).
Oh, I forgot, the new design… wow!
After listening to your story, i realized someone too feels like me out there. I suggest you push off early to bed and wake up early (before sunrise) to go for a ride and listen to what nature is calling. That way, you get a feeling about being an integral part of a beautiful world. Listen to good music which will really take you THERE! just a form of meditation with eyes open.
dinesh, great advice. I think I have been, and will follow that advice. I broke out the gamecube that my wife bought me and I have been playing Zelda. As I said earlier, that calms me too. Funny thing, I am starting to have that passion about design again…
I like to take rogie on moonlite walks to destress. Or rock him at some UT2k4. Some people like to escape the screen… I never leave… and it doesn’t bother me. Well unless the chitlins is yellin at dad to come play. Which unfortunately working out-of-state has limited that and therefore pushed me more into the work-a-holic mode.
I told u b/f man, exercise. U know i go play basketball 2 destress…of course, that’s almost work 2 the way I go at it. I don’t get highly motivated, though…gotta get the fun in while i can still, so, as u know, procrastination is my friend. I’ll b makin a trip up there soon…then i won’t let u work b/c u’ll have 2 entertain me :P.
All good advice guys and gals. Excercise, walks, enough sleep, time with family/friends and a balance of work/play is all good advice. I will do my best to accomplish these in my life…and keep it that way :)