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As a busy maker, how do you decide that it is time to rest and NOT push against your limits?

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As we want to achieve big things, we have a tendency to downplay our limits, exhaustion, and health.

And we forget that it is time to stop.

Do you have a schedule or “planned” breaks that help keep you from running out of energy?

– Lately, I started practising going to bed before 12 (even when things I wanted to complete aren't finished).

– If I do not post frequently or on time, I stress less.

– I control my time on the laptop and try not to exceed 9 or 10 hours per day.

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I’m still learning this the hard way. When you’re building something you genuinely care about, “just one more thing” can easily turn into another 3 hours. Lately I’ve realised that when my decision-making starts getting worse, pushing longer usually creates more work for tomorrow. That’s becoming my signal to stop.

 I would be the same, but these days I really appreciate some sort of mental peace. The last couple of months were / are energy draining. Uff.

Totally get that. At some point, mental peace starts feeling more valuable than squeezing another hour out of the day. Hope the next few months are a little lighter for you :)

 Thank you, hopefully.

Great topic Nika!

I’m definitely not perfect at this. I still spend too much time on my laptop late at night, and that’s something I need to improve.

What helps me is having clear time blocks for different parts of my life. For example, I have time for my wife, time with my son, and separate blocks for work. Sometimes those work blocks are for a specific project, especially when I’m very involved in it.

So I don’t really think in terms of “I need to work 8 hours today.” I think more like: this block is for this project, this block is for family, and this one is for something else.

I do the same with holidays and travel. I usually plan them in advance, so I know that one week might be very busy, while another week I’ll almost completely switch off from work. That kind of structure works well for me.

But of course, everyone has to find what fits their own schedule and lifestyle.

 Okay, but how many hours per day you approximately spend on work? :)

Honestly, I work pretty much whenever I'm awake lol. The one thing I don't move is family. I never miss my daughters' school events, and I shape my own schedule around them.

When I'm tired, I just sleep. I tend not to move enough, so I use a standing desk and a stepper, and I've got a road bike for cycling too.

One thing I picked up back in my digital nomad days: if I change where I'm working every three hours or so, I stay focused a lot longer and barely feel tired.

 That's sweet. I think it is important to be "rested" to enjoy your family, so they can have your full attention and energy. :)

 Totally agree. Thank you, Nika ☺️

 You're welcome :)

My rule on stopping used to be Whenever I crash out from the caffeine and fall asleep sitting at the keyboard.

nowadays I take proper breaks at least every 4 hours. I walk around more, do specific stretches to unlock the shoulders.

 Ufff, that sounds harsh, like stopping when it is "late" :D

 I'm much healthier about work now than when I worked in enterprise.

Every time I try, i find myself getting distracted from R&R and before I know it i'm pushing the envelope again. I think it depends on whether you're driven by work ethic or passion

 If I am driven by work ethic, I am more likely to be drained soon, that's for sure.