Approach to Working

I’m not an individual who can work non-stop.

I like to eat, I like to sleep, and I like interacting with others.

Even when I’m very focused on my work, I like to take short breaks at least once an hour.

So, while I can marvel at John Hughes, who reportedly wrote The Breakfast Club in just two days, I’m not planning to follow that route.

I’m okay with letting ideas percolate. Sometimes for days, months, and even years.

I’m not claiming this is a better approach. I certainly haven’t produced anything as amazing as The Breakfast Club.

It’s just what works for me.

Several writers mention only spending four to six hours writing each day. This seems reasonable. I’m lucky if I get one hour to write on weekdays! Sometimes, I try for more on the weekends.

During graduate school, I would often spend at least eight hours a day trying to solve physics problems. I was also drinking insane amounts of Dr. Pepper at the time.

Life is about more than work.

It’s okay to embrace our human wants and needs.

Networking is important. Caring for others matters. There’s nothing wrong with getting lost in things that we find amusing.

The work is still going to be there when we get back to it!