Are you getting out enough?

21 replies
Too often I find myself spending hours in front of my pc. That's the nature of my business and in most cases it is unavoidable.

But, everytime I force myself to get out of the house by taking the kids to the local park or just taking a walk, I find that new ideas come flooding into my head.

Sometimes these ideas are just a way to improve my service to clients or it could be be a potential new product.

That happened to me this weekend. I had an idea that will capitilise on the current skills I have, while not diluting too much of my focus, and will result in an additional income stream.

Have any of you had this experience?

Di
  • Profile picture of the author anikaperry1
    Yes, that usually happens to me so it's good to have your cellphone's notepad ready or your tablet maybe. I believe this is because we get to see something new aside from our pc that's why our creative side is more active.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tony Grant
      Hi, that is of course a common occurrence that sadly is given little consideration by most 'entrepreneurs' who are too busy working in the business rather than on the business.
      When you move away from the daily tasks, and put yourself into a different environment, your brain is allowed the freedom to think in it's own natural manner rather than in the constrained manner forced by your lengthy working patterns.

      This means that it is clearer to be objective and see issues or opportunities as they truly are.

      One other thought along these lines it that if you have some problems that need a solution, decide on the night before that you will give them serious thought when you start work the next morning. Write them down to reinforce the problems (maybe just 4 or 5 each day) and then, when you wake, your brain will have often worked out the solutions for yyou in its freedom state as you sleep.

      And back to the original thought, why not set aside one day, maybe a 'You Day' or a family day where you give value to those close to you and in return, your brain will pay you back with far more value than being tied to the desk 16 hours a day 7 days a week.

      God bless all
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  • Profile picture of the author Adrian Int
    I get my best thinking done AWAY from the computer.

    Sometimes it can be hard to tear yourself away from the hustle and bustle of everyday business stuff but I agree - it's worth it.

    Whenever I'm stuck with a problem to overcome (unless it's coding... F---. That stuff is not my strength.. lol) it's typically already been overcome by someone else in another business.

    Just paying attention to what goes on in the world away from my desk has provided with me solutions I don't think I'd have come up with otherwise.

    PLUS... Summer is coming and I can't wait to read in the shade of a big ol' tree or go for bike ride. Also... I enjoy highway driving with all the windows down. Mmm.

    Haha..


    Cheers,
    -Adrian
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  • Profile picture of the author WorkOnline
    It happens when you get to relax yourself away from your PC. Meaning to improve yourself, not just by sitting all day infront of your PC but also to stand up, take a walk, look around and enjoy your surroundings and the people around you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jnelson
      Most of my business ideas have born when Im away from the comp..and like mentioned above, you need to take regular breaks in order to stay healthy.
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  • Profile picture of the author loi77
    You are right, I don't go out enough.

    Working most of the time - downside of working from home..

    I should now.....
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  • Profile picture of the author AndyBlackSEO
    Sometimes it is when you take these 'breaks' the best ideas or solutions come flooding through.

    I love taking my kids out swimming or to local parks, but I must say.. if it wasn't for my kids and girlfriend... I would probably work non-stop as it is not only my job.. but my hobby also. As sad as that sounds.
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  • Profile picture of the author ddshosting
    This is a common problem and your not alone, however a balance is important and you will find influence and ideas come all the time. Just carry around a note pad so you can get down your ideas when they are still fresh.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeraldNitram
    Yes, definitely. There are times when I logged out of work, start shifting my mindset into that realm where "work" doesn't exist, but then suddenly a thought about work flies in. It could be a little frustrating at times, but there are instances when you just want to work on that new idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author paul nicholls
    its normal to feel like this if you are passionate about your online business

    i believe its all about balance. i workout at my gym a lot and keep fit and then at the same time i work hard online so its a good balance. i need to get rid of energy and plus i love keeping fit

    i have ideas coming to me all the time. i will be on the bike for 20 mins and i will have thoughts running through head how i can increase the value of each subscriber and improve my sales funnel lol

    i often get some of my best ideas though at times like this and even when i go for a walk down the beach or something

    paul
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  • Profile picture of the author UMS
    At this time of the year, we generally have glorious autumn weather and I find that I get very restless sitting at my computer, so I figure it's more productive for me to head out for a walk in the mountains than waste a day not achieving much.

    Certainly helps when you can walk to a place like this for inspiration and recharging of the creative juices.

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  • Profile picture of the author wesker123
    Im just at home working online. I have only one day break a week. And sometimes even in my break I don't really go out. I really need time to go out now that i think about it. Just to refresh my mind. Kinda same as defragmenting a pc.
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  • Profile picture of the author gasman
    I have this problem too. Even when I take vacations I have to go back to the hotel and execute a new plan I have just thought up. It's not only a job, but it's an addiction in my opinion. The more money you make the more you need. I do try to find time to relax when I can though.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I think I probably spend more time online than I ever did in a "real B & M job" although I don't make anywhere near the same money. BUT I can start and finish when I want and that is great for me. I can't handle a "normal" job anymore due to health issues anyway so I am grateful I can work from home.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author Chri5123
    Di,

    I know exactly what you mean!

    It took me ages to get the hang of this!

    I used to spend 14 hour stints on the computer and feel a bit "spaced out" because I had been staring at a screen so long.

    Whether it is simply going for a walk, the library, a walk on the beach you NEED to get out daily when you do this!

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
    I have noticed that it takes discipline to get up and walk away from my pc. I have given myself set working hours. They are still long hours but I am getting better at taking the breaks.

    Sundays I try not to work, but I'm afraid I don't always get that right because then I do the fun stuff, like planning my next project.

    Thanks for all your contributions. Glad to know that I am not the only obsessed one

    Di
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  • Profile picture of the author stephenwaldo
    I try to take a walk every day, in addition to normal exercise, for this exact reason...Getting outside and getting fresh air make such a difference in clarity. I feel both more energized and more acute after stepping out for even just ten minutes, although I usually aim for a solid half-hour.

    But yes, if I didn't put it on a to do list or set an alarm or a timer, I'd forget about it all the time. I'm easily absorbed into my work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kael41
    My mountain bike has been calling..the problem is my 1 and 2 year old daughters have been calling me too
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  • Profile picture of the author Tadresources
    I wrote a humorous, tongue in cheek blog on here about this very subject after realizing that I had spent another evening glued to my pc until 1am, lol!

    Seriously though, I think this can become a huge problem for anyone who makes a living (or is trying to) online.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

    Too often I find myself spending hours in front of my pc. That's the nature of my business and in most cases it is unavoidable.

    But, everytime I force myself to get out of the house by taking the kids to the local park or just taking a walk, I find that new ideas come flooding into my head.

    Sometimes these ideas are just a way to improve my service to clients or it could be be a potential new product.

    That happened to me this weekend. I had an idea that will capitilise on the current skills I have, while not diluting too much of my focus, and will result in an additional income stream.

    Have any of you had this experience?

    Di
    Absolutely. I make it a point to take a break every 45-60 minutes. I also exercise a lot and go for daily walks. I find that it not only recharges my batteries, but it also helps getting the creative juices flowing again.

    I've gotten some of my best ideas while hiking, biking, or roller-blading.

    RoD
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