There are days when you might be besieged with work. There is a simple solution.
- Turn off your cell phone
- Go watch a movie
At theaters, you’re forced to shut the phone, sit in the dark, let the mind drift and be entertained. This allows for two things.
- The world won’t self-destruct because you took a break
- Allows you to step away and clear your mind
A clear mind is dire in any business. More importantly, having balance is essential for any business; this includes health, friends, family, recreation…
Application
Today started like any other day where I woke up super early and listed all of the things that needed to get done. So Julie and I got dressed in our workout clothes and went to the post office to drop off our employment taxes. We were about to go to the bank and gym when Julie was hit with an inspiration – Universal Studios.
Although hesitant, I have to take my own advice. Still in our running shoes, Julie and I zipped off to Universal Studios.
I’m really happy we went! There have been so many changes since we last came here as tots. Most importantly, I haven’t seen you genuinely laugh in so many years. Thank goodness for Simpsons! – Julie
The last statement came to me as an interesting realization. Have I been so focused on business that I forgot laughter?
I used to always make up excuses like “this is a great opportunity” or “I’ve got to finish this first,” without realizing that there will always be new opportunities and I will never ever finish my work.
In conclusion, it’s healthy to step away. Restore balance in your life. Times are tough, I know, but a movie ticket only costs $12 and it can shed some new perspective [on life or on business]. Consider it a write-off.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. Ya’ll like my HDR?
P.P.S. I will be speaking at LA Smug Mug on February 18, 2010!
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: The Global Cafe
Street: 11002 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
It is difficult to step away from great opportunities to just appreciate the priceless things in life. Come to think of it, I have not heard you laugh in a while either. Watching a movie is definitely a good solution to “get away from it all,” even if it is only a couple hours.
Loving the HDR shots.
“without realizing that there will always be new opportunities and I will never ever finish my work.”
This is so true. It’s hard to walk away from something that is right in front of you. I’m not a the best poker player but I’ve heard this analogy before: A great player knows when to laid down a good hand and walk away. Hmm, I think I will go watch a movie today.
What a great idea- and a great reminder!
You’re making me re-think my plans for my birthday tomorrow. I’ve planned the day around working on a new project for this year…perhaps I should go to a movie instead!
Lawerence, in this newsroom its always camera, camera, mac!! I have found that increasing my time in the gym helps me alot and seems like once I return to the work station I can really focus on my editing and design in my business photography projects.
Agreed! Running a business is like owning a car. If you drive and drive and drive with out flushing the fluids, rotating the tires and greasing the joints…it will break down.
Wow, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been in workaholic mode for a few years now, and I keep telling myself “I’ll have fun… later/tomorrow/after I’m done with this/as soon as I’m all caught up, etc, etc. I need to remember this quote I read: “Don’t Postpone Joy”
THANK YOU!!
Thank you for sharing that …. it is what I needed to hear more than you can imagine!!
Bill Gates talks about this technique as “hitting the reset button”. Life is funny. Often the thing which seems the most unreasonable is the BEST choice to make….long-term. Thanks so much for sharing Lawrence. I do look forward to seeing the joy of 2010 pan out for each of us
So glad to hear this “trick” worked for you, too. There’s another benefit that may be more subtle: it reinforces one of the key reasons entrepreneurs start their own business in the first place – control over thier life. Ironically, that is something that vanishes quickly under the workload of the Big Opportunity. By taking 2 hours out of the most busiest part of a busy day, you are quietly reminding yourself that you actually are making the Choice to be too busy, and aren’t out of control in your life. This has a powerful effect on how we see ourselves and, in turn, how we feel about what we do. As always, Good Work, Lawrence – bet you never thought you’d hear that compliment for playing Hooky!
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There was so much to absorb during Fight Club that I forgot the above reasons. My excuse to play hooky sounds superficial in comparison haha! Please read what my mentor said as he elaborates on the subject and how it related to business perspectives.
A hearty “YES” – too often I also find myself trying to do everything all the time – and become engulfed by the details and chaos. Too often I catch myself saying “I will do that (enjoyable event) as soon as I do this (SEO, Photoshop, Lightroom, Blogging, Computer work, emails, etc. etc. etc ad nausem).
Thanks for reminding us how important it is to be balanced and have clarity of purpose. This is especially true being that Valentines day is around the corner!
Curtis
This is great. Thank you.
Good advise!
Great post and comments, thank you for reminding me! I have been in business just under 12 months and there are so many things that I want to put into place (I want to make my business the best it can be and be the best I can be) that it is easy to lose track and spend too much time working. I am going to step away from the Mac very shortly…..
I am tired and down and I needed to hear this
off to watch a movie.
you got to remember you got where to are becuase you worked hard,,,now you can enjoy life more. i don’t feel bad working hard. I wished I’ve work harder and smarter. I’m glad all the PRO sees the need to take a break, this will give me time to catch up!!!!
Bottom line, if you feel you made it. give yourslef a little brake, If you hadn’t yet like me, keeping fighting. Learn to enjoy everyprocess of your work and yes, go to a movie–best short vacation you can take from your business! (well i still check my iphone during the movie!)
Haven’t been able to breathe in the past months either. I have to say your blog post are very inspirational. It’s a reminder to remember the simply life of how everything used to be in the past.
Your HDR has surely rocked my eyes! Well done Lawrence!
Kevin
Great post and insight Lawrence. I would do a lot better to walk away from certain work situations and watch a movie, especially lately. I am digging your HDR stuff. I too am working on some HDR stuff, it is fun stuff. Thanks!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Great introspection. Do you think there would be a market opening up for “Photographer Therapy”? LOL. Good post.
Loved what Jeff said, it is so true and also the excuses you mentioned Lawrence, I use them all the time, last month I read about only doing 2 important things on your to do list to be satisfied with your day in the book the 4 hour work week and I put that into practice and went to Liberty Sciecne Center with my boys and we had a blast, we start to take control of our lives but loose in the midst of this quest and I recall what Jesh de Rox always says be happy,be joyous in the road and not when you get to the top
thanks for sharing
and p.s you are julie are so cute
p.s.s wonder who will shoot your wedding when you get married
Lol
Very true thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
Finding a balance is very hard sometimes.
p.s I worked at Universal Studios for 8 1/2 years and I dont think I have ever seen Citywalk through someone elses eyes and photos like that.
Love this… I did it yesterday….was chatting on gchat w/ my best friend who was babysitting her new niece for the day. I dropped everything, canceled a mtg, and drove an hour to hang out with her and the baby. Spent it at the park picking flowers, swinging on swings, and pushing a stroller… didn’t get home until dinner time. Best day I’ve had in a long time!
Go Meg! Sometimes a brief escape is welcomed
Funny you posted this today. Trish and I are forcing ourselves to take Mondays off. We have always had them off but we would be in the studio working with the doors locked. We went for lunch yesterday and made the decision to go out every Monday. Then last night we decided that once a month, when we do our lunch date, we would also go to a matinee. Maybe life will be clearer. Thanks for reenforcing our plan Lawrence. Come join us some time!
Good advice Lawrence. I just took a trip to California for a week to get away from everything and it was amazing. I didn’t answer emails, return phone calls, just traveled the 101 in search of HDR opportunities (I normally just shoot weddings and families), which is soothing for me right now! Your HDR stuff is coming along nice, keep it up. Hit me up by email and I can give you some info on additional programs to make your images a lot better post-photomatix.
HDR definitely getting better! Love that 2nd shot of the Hard Rock Cafe. But I want to see it BIG!
Great Advice.. I know at times to I can get very caught up in my work and not come out of the basement for hours..
Thank you. Just what I needed to hear (or read). Want to make a go of the business that I forget to enjoy life.
so true. thank you!
I can totally appreciate this. I have three kids and one with autism. I have to tell myself to shut the biz down for a little while to spend some time with the kids and the Mrs.
honestly dude, you nailed it! this has sorta been my new years resolution of sorts (without fully bringing it to the front of my mind)
this is a huge reason why I’m outsourcing this year, and why I’m focusing my business to create more freedom.
thanks for this reminder and encouragement. well done on putting it into practice
This is SO true. I need to remember this blog post, often! Especially as a newer photographer, you can kill yourself trying to “make it”. It’s not worth it to lose my sanity!
AMEN! This post seems to be one of many in the same vein I’ve seen lately… I’m contemplating this on a bigger level this year. As a mother of 3.5 year old twin girls, and a wife to a hubby who has gone through so much this year, my business has caused a rift between me and them. It’s time to make a big big change.
Thank you for your post. It actually almost brought me to tears…
Gratefully,
Dawn
Big changes require big sacrifices. The bond of a family is resilient.
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