The Bloody Doors Off

I have issues with work.

Specifically, I have issues not working.

When there’s a job to be done.

Case in point.

On Friday, client sends me five chapters of a guidebook that I’m laying out.

I look at the week ahead, knowing of other jobs that are said to be on my plate this week.

I allot a specific amount of time each day to complete a chapter, and provide the client an estimated delivery date of the following Friday. Knowing full well if other work doesn’t hit my inbox on a particular day, I can spend more time laying out the Word docs in InDesign.

All weekend I had to sit on my hands, to prevent myself from starting the project before Monday.

Today I got two chapters done.

And I feel like I should get a third started.

Or work out the new style guide from a second client.

Which can wait until mid-week. It’s not a priority.

But I feel like I’m cheating, taking the night off.

This is why I love working in an office.

You punch in, put in your eight hours, and go home.

Totally focused during the day, usually a short break for lunch.

And when I go home, I feel like I’ve accomplished something. If there’s leftover work to be done, I know I’ll get to it first thing. The next day.

I can’t separate that part of myself when I work from home.

Fuck, I feel guilty for starting at 10am this morning, even though those two chapters took six hours.

So. Yeah.

Work Paul is Type A. And can’t punch out so willingly at the end of the day. If working from home.

I intentionally stop at 5pm to watch Law & Order, and then walk Auggie at 6pm.

To break things up.

Yet I still think. I could be doing more.

But it’s better to spread the hours throughout the week than burn the candle at both ends.

Right?

That’s why I generally only read books while on vacation.

I’ve got plenty of time to commit to them, whereas it’s frustrating to only read for 30 minutes one day, and put it down for a week or more.

Because I’m too busy working.

Or trying no to.

We’re taking time next month and renting a cottage outside of Minden Hills.

I refuse to take my laptop.

I’m informing all my clients in advance that I’ll be unreachable.

And taking two books.