Comments on: Howdy Do It, week 4 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:59:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: lillie http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6445 lillie Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:13:52 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6445 Yes! For the past month, I've been easing into working from home, and it's been a constant mental struggle to create my own balanced schedule. Easing into the day is the way to start--and being sure to close up shop (and power down my computer!) at day's end, just like I would at the old office. PS I'm delighted to have just found your blog via annplified.com! Yes! For the past month, I’ve been easing into working from home, and it’s been a constant mental struggle to create my own balanced schedule. Easing into the day is the way to start–and being sure to close up shop (and power down my computer!) at day’s end, just like I would at the old office.

PS I’m delighted to have just found your blog via annplified.com!

]]> By: cara http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6438 cara Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:45:22 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6438 This sounds like a terrific game plan! I especially love your 1-hr-start game plan --- that absolutely makes sense to take time prepping for the work day, even if it's not the same prep physically as before! It's amazing what mental state does for you -- unfortunately, I'm not in this same place in my life, but I do still find it helpful to (1) when I'm in the middle of a project that I know I'll be wrapping up in a couple days, I leave everything as it is, everywhere. Which is a mess, yes. But then, (2) when I'm finished, everything gets tucked away, and it's both physically, visually, and mentally a fresh new start for my next project. I like your minimizing windows approach (something about electronicially fresh each day is very nice), but hey, for physical projects, I like the mess :D Good luck! This sounds like a terrific game plan! I especially love your 1-hr-start game plan — that absolutely makes sense to take time prepping for the work day, even if it’s not the same prep physically as before! It’s amazing what mental state does for you — unfortunately, I’m not in this same place in my life, but I do still find it helpful to (1) when I’m in the middle of a project that I know I’ll be wrapping up in a couple days, I leave everything as it is, everywhere. Which is a mess, yes. But then, (2) when I’m finished, everything gets tucked away, and it’s both physically, visually, and mentally a fresh new start for my next project. I like your minimizing windows approach (something about electronicially fresh each day is very nice), but hey, for physical projects, I like the mess :D Good luck!

]]> By: Caryn http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6420 Caryn Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:53:49 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6420 Another great way to do the to-do lists is using the urgent/important matrix. I found this a really positive way to sort out what was really important to me and to help balance my work and life. Another great way to do the to-do lists is using the urgent/important matrix. I found this a really positive way to sort out what was really important to me and to help balance my work and life.

]]> By: Caroline http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6419 Caroline Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:48:56 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6419 100% agree with the HAVE to-do and SHOULD do lists. I've put this into practice ever since i entered the "work force" and it truly does help! It's impossible to to everything in one day. 100% agree with the HAVE to-do and SHOULD do lists. I’ve put this into practice ever since i entered the “work force” and it truly does help! It’s impossible to to everything in one day.

]]> By: emily http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6418 emily Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:33:13 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6418 It's so easy to feel alone in the process of creation sometimes, especially when you're working from home and have limited interaction with other people. These posts make me feel so much more connected with other designers and not as much like I'm a reclusive hermit weirdo. To know that there are others out there that are experiencing the same difficulties is such an immense help. Thank you both! It’s so easy to feel alone in the process of creation sometimes, especially when you’re working from home and have limited interaction with other people. These posts make me feel so much more connected with other designers and not as much like I’m a reclusive hermit weirdo. To know that there are others out there that are experiencing the same difficulties is such an immense help. Thank you both!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6416 Sarah Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:20:44 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6416 I agree with meg about the stretching. I am working from home now, and sometimes i forget to get up out of my chair for hours on end! I also like to start my morning with a walk, and end my day at the gym. Exercise is really important for mental health, and when you work from home sometimes it is the only time of the day for human interaction! -thanks for this post, it makes me feel good that i am not the only one :) I agree with meg about the stretching. I am working from home now, and sometimes i forget to get up out of my chair for hours on end! I also like to start my morning with a walk, and end my day at the gym. Exercise is really important for mental health, and when you work from home sometimes it is the only time of the day for human interaction!

-thanks for this post, it makes me feel good that i am not the only one :)

]]> By: seesaw designs http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6415 seesaw designs Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:29:52 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6415 Loved this post. Ditto on closing down email for a couple hours; it helps me stay focused. Another thing that's helped me is, "Do the worst thing first" -- just getting something out of the way that I'm sort of dreading makes the whole day run better. -Angela Loved this post. Ditto on closing down email for a couple hours; it helps me stay focused.

Another thing that’s helped me is, “Do the worst thing first” — just getting something out of the way that I’m sort of dreading makes the whole day run better.

-Angela

]]> By: meg http://www.mintdesignblog.com/2009/11/howdy-do-it-week-4/#comment-6414 meg Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:43:25 +0000 http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=3143#comment-6414 Stretching! For some reason in the middle of a day at work or back in architecture school when I would have been sitting in the same chair for hours, it felt SO GOOD to get up and stretch! Maybe its the dancer in me but to just do some quick plies and leg stretches really feels so great and gets your blood flowing again. Eventually I hope to have a pilates routine but for now my 5 min stretch breaks in my office's kitchen will work just fine! Stretching! For some reason in the middle of a day at work or back in architecture school when I would have been sitting in the same chair for hours, it felt SO GOOD to get up and stretch! Maybe its the dancer in me but to just do some quick plies and leg stretches really feels so great and gets your blood flowing again. Eventually I hope to have a pilates routine but for now my 5 min stretch breaks in my office’s kitchen will work just fine!

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