Executive Coach Focusing on Personal Development, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Executive Coaching for Self Development
  • Core Values
  • Self Development
  • About Suzie
  • Testimonials
  • Self-Help Books
  • Blog
  • CONTACT / FAQ's

Blog

4 Ways to Stop Bringing Work Home on the Weekend So You Can Fully Recharge

8/11/2019

 

By Rebecca Muller, Assistant Editor at Thrive Global
​

As much as we’d love to leave our work at work, letting our to-do list follow us home on the weekends is a trap that many of us fall into. With the rise of hustle culture, our always-online tendencies, and our trouble setting boundaries, it’s all too easy to let work time spill into personal time. “Many people feel like they can’t afford to turn off work for the weekend,” says Elana Feldman, Ph.D., an assistant professor of management at UMass Lowell’s Manning School of Business. 

Here’s the rub:
When we don’t disconnect, we risk sabotaging our own weekends, Traci Stein, Ph.D., M.P.H., a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor at Columbia University, tells Thrive. “The problem with bringing your work home with you is that doing so means you can’t fully engage with family, friends, or make time for self-care.” On the flip side, a work-free weekend not only allows you to enjoy your time off, but also helps you start your week on Monday feeling truly recharged. “When people allow themselves to experience a true break, they generally return to work feeling less tired, more positive, and better able to expend the effort required to be effective in their jobs,” says Feldman. “What’s more, research shows that downtime can help prevent burnout over time.” 

Of course, completely separating from work is easier said than done — but these tips can make it easier: 
Be clear about your preferred communication
Detaching from work takes a bit more effort than simply staging a protest against your inbox all weekend. “It also requires an open conversation about boundary-setting,” says Feldman. If the boundary you’d like to set is to stop responding to non-urgent work emails outside of business hours, be clear with your manager, suggests Feldman. You could let your boss know you may not see an email until Monday, so if something truly pressing arises, she should text or call you. 

Restrict your schedule 
In his book, Deep Work, tech expert Cal Newport encourages establishing designated blocks of time to focus on your job duties (i.e. 9 to 5, Monday through Friday). Newport says the benefit of setting strict limits around work is something called “fixed-schedule productivity.” The basic premise is that if you know you’re clocking out (for real) at a certain time, you’ll be more efficient during the workday so there will be less temptation to take what you haven’t finished home with you. 

Designate one “working late day” per week
The reality is that we don’t all have jobs that are predictable. So designating one “working late day” can help you get through a project that requires extra time — with the goal of preserving your weekends. Ideally, your late night will be a set night each week, so you can plan for it and also make any necessary arrangements at home in advance (i.e. having your partner or nanny pick up your child from school, if you’re a parent). 

Get comfortable with incompletions
If you find yourself incapable of sticking to work boundaries, you might have to set more realistic expectations around your to-do list. “Ask yourself what would happen if you stopped trying to do everything under the sun,” suggests Stein. “Ask yourself what actually needs to be done today, and what can wait.” When you apply some honest perspective to your tasks, you’ll feel less guilty about shutting the door on work until Monday. Feldman suggests setting aside a few minutes before leaving for your weekend to make next week’s to-do list. “These types of lists can be comforting because they capture the tasks that are on your mind, and you’ll feel less stressed about losing sight of them.” Cheers to the weekend!

​
For helpful insights and suggestions - Suzie Doscher's self-help book:
BALANCE - A Practical Handbook for Life's Difficult Moments


Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed

    Raise your self-awareness with this:
    Self-Help Book
    Self-Coaching Exercises

    Picture

    2022 updated 3rd edition
    at Amazon stores worldwide
    AUDIO BOOK  narrated by Suzie Doscher on 
    ​Audible or iTunes

     "A truly inspiring book" I have read this book at a point in my life where I wanted something to change and I didn't know if it ever could. Through these pages I have understood how our experience in life depends 90% on us and not on external events, and that is a life changing lesson indeed." Absolutely recommended.
    Suzie Doscher is a Professional Executive Coach focusing on Personal Development. Located in Zurich, Switzerland. Her approach to personal development is practical and successful.  
    Suzie is happiest when helping people. 
    Her vision is everyone should have access to techniques for personal growth and development. This was the motivation behind her book. 


    Author

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    BALANCE A Practical Handbook For Life's Difficult Moments
    BALANCE - A Practical Handbook For Life's Difficult Moments
    Burnout
    Coach
    Coaching
    Coaching Switzerland
    Core Values
    Emotional Intelligence (EI Or EQ)
    Executive Coaching
    Executive Coach Zurich
    Leadership
    Life Coaching Zurich
    Life Skills
    Limiting Beliefs
    Management
    Mindset
    Other
    Personal Growth Personal Development Switzerland
    Self Awareness
    Self Awarness/Mindfulness
    Self Help Audiobook
    Self-help Audiobook
    Self Help Book
    Self-help Book
    Start Up Executives
    Stress Management
    Success
    Support
    Suzie Doscher
    Values
    Workfromhome WFH
    Work Life Balance

YOU ARE THE CEO OF YOUR LIFE 
​

Let's start making some changes

​Executive Coach focusing on Self Development 
Accredited Professional Master Coach (IAPC&M)
​Native English Speaking

​ Zurich - Thalwil, Switzerland
Phone: + 41 43 443 59 54​
​

Email​ link
 suzie@suziedoscher.com
Buy the book


  • Executive Coaching for Self Development
  • Core Values
  • Self Development
  • About Suzie
  • Testimonials
  • Self-Help Books
  • Blog
  • CONTACT / FAQ's