Summary

The article discusses the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining a work-life balance for self-employed individuals, emphasizing that taking breaks is crucial for long-term success and health.

Abstract

The author of the article, a self-employed individual, shares a personal experience about enjoying a day off with a friend despite having a to-do list. The narrative highlights a transformation in the author's approach to work, from being overly dedicated and stressed about constant productivity to recognizing the necessity of breaks for mental and physical well-being. The article underscores that while discipline is key to success, it must be balanced with self-care to truly enjoy the rewards of one's labor. The author advocates for setting strict boundaries with work and encourages readers to prioritize their health by taking time off, reinforcing the message with the announcement of an upcoming free course on being a highly paid writer that covers working less while earning more.

Opinions

The author believes that spending every hour working is not sustainable and can lead to burnout, even for passionate individuals.
There is a strong emphasis on the idea that neglecting personal time for work can be detrimental to one's health.
The author suggests that taking breaks is not only beneficial but essential for maintaining sanity and enjoying the fruits of one's work.
The article conveys that success should not be measured solely by income or productivity, but also by the individual's health and happiness.
The author promotes the concept that it is possible to work less and still be successful financially, which is further explored in their upcoming free course.

Setting Boundaries With Work as a Self-Employed Person

Discipline is important, but so is balance.

Yesterday, my best friend came to visit me. We dressed up, went out to a cafe, and talked endlessly about movies and books.

I had five items on my to-do list.

Guess how many of them I crossed off? ZERO!

Yes, I got absolutely no work done, and I enjoyed every moment of the day.

But do you know something?

Taking breaks wasn’t always so easy

A few months back, if you told me I’d spend a full day not doing any work, I would be super stressed.

You see, when you’re self-employed, every hour you spend in front of the computer screen means you can earn more money and get better opportunities for yourself.

Until a few months back, I was so obsessed with working all the time and hitting all my deadlines, that taking time out for myself felt like I was cheating on my dreams.

I said no to every get-together, refused to meet old friends when they were in town, and spent months without watching any movie or series.

Dedication vs balance

To an outsider, this might sound like dedication, but inside, I was miserable.

I didn’t know how much of a toll this was taking on my health when one day, things just collapsed. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t work even a little. It was as if my brain and body forced me to take a break.

I couldn’t work for three weeks straight. After that, I learned the hard way that working constantly is never healthy, no matter how passionate you are about your job.

Taking breaks is essential, and setting strict boundaries with your work is the only way to stay sane and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

You deserve a break

And so, yesterday when my friend came over, I shut my laptop and didn’t even think about work. My tasks were unfinished, but I can do them today (but it’s a Sunday, so I’ll probably do them tomorrow)!

Success depends on discipline, but balance is also important. Without balance, you might see results, but if you’re not healthy, what use is earning thousands of dollars every month?

Here’s your reminder to take a break. Trust me, you deserve it.

What’s something you did or are planning to do for yourself this weekend that’s not related to work? Let me know in the comments.

Working less and still earning more is one of the aspects I cover in my FREE course on being a highly paid writer. It launches on October 14, so join the wait-list today: Anangsha’s FREE course on being a highly paid writer