Ran into a retired graphic designer at a coffee shop who gave me a reality check

I was at a local spot in Austin last month, totally fried from back to back revisions on a logo project. I was venting to the barista about how I couldn't keep up with client demands. An older guy next to me overheard and just said 'you're not a machine, you know.' He told me he used to take on every project that came his way until he had a mini breakdown in 1998. He said he started blocking out two hours each afternoon just to step away from the screen, no exceptions. It sounded simple but I tried it this week and it actually helped me reset. Has anyone else found a weird spot in their day that works for a forced break?

3 comments

3 Comments

river_thompson5d ago

Notice how everything these days tries to squeeze productivity out of every second, but the real trick is protecting a pocket of time that's yours and yours alone.

ross.kim4d ago

Those 168 hours a week disappear fast when you're not hustling every single one of them.

kimr913d ago

Is it really that serious though? I see people treat time like it's some enemy to beat, and honestly, it just wears you out. @river_thompson makes a fair point about keeping a pocket of time for yourself, but I also think lots of folks overthink this whole hustle thing. You can work hard and still have a lazy Sunday without turning it into a life philosophy. Maybe the real problem is feeling guilty when you're not busy, not the hours themselves. Just do what you need to do and don't make a big production out of it.