Creative Office Hours
Wednesday, October 15 2008
I’m trying something new – between 7 and 8 PM each night, I drag my laptop and external hard drive upstairs into our study/office for my Creative Office Hours time. As someone who holds a full time job, is involved with multiple organizations, and has now started my own business, I’m finding that organization and balance is critically important. Lately it’s been slipping away.
Peter and I often talk about the fact that sometimes, many days, we spend our nights in front of the TV – sometimes watching, but usually only half watching, and typing a way on our laptops – looking at forums, chatting, etc.. etc… instead of really spending some quality time together. Lately, he mentioned that he’s noticed that now I’m no longer surfing and looking at things I enjoy – I’m just working on the business side of things – whether it be contacting clients, processing images, thinking up ideas, etc… I wasn’t taking any “me time”. He also said that he noticed I haven’t been paying much attention him when he talked to me during those times so he decided to stop trying as much. My heart totally sunk when he said this.
I felt so bad when he said this and knew it immediately to be true. One of my traits that I think happens to be a very good quality is that when I get started on something, I totally grab onto the idea, the task, the whatever - full force – I really dig my heels in so to speak and give everything I have to make it work out the best way possible. However, I also have an amazing case of tunnel vision when I get in that mode of working and everything else tends to fall by the wayside. I thought I was doing a good job of making sure Peter didn’t fall by the wayside but when he said that I realized I wasn’t doing such a good job after all.
So, I created my Creative Office Hours schedule. I’ve stuck to it the last two days. I think it is making me more productive – it’s definitely giving my eyes a break from the computer which is important. I can only stare at the computer screen for so long without my already bad eyes really bothering me. It’s been nice to stop at 8, pack up my gear and settle in with Peter on the couch. We’re still watching TV together, but we’re watching less as well – trying to get to bed a little earlier – and now we’re choosing a show to watch together and then I actually watch it with him – no laptop! I’m enjoying this time so much more with him and feel a lot better about it. Soon I hope to add a few more activities back into the mix that I know he enjoys – specifically playing video games. I stink at most, and can’t seem to stay focused on them for too long – but I do enjoy some. Most of all, I enjoy spending the time with my husband and that’s what’s important.
