I do CAD drafting for a living. About 20 years ago, after bouts of sciatica and neck problems, I made the switch to a standing work desk. My life much improved. I lost some weight, and standing up encourages me to walk away for a minute or two, instead of sitting for too long at a time. I am convinced we are not really meant to sit for extended periods. Finally, I can say the quality of my work actually improved as well; the only conclusion I can draw is my brain must be in my ass!
I tried a standing desk for a few years, but oddly did not like it! I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm quite active in the rest of my life, and it feels so good just to sit down and be still for a few hours each day.
Thanks KJM....we are all just so different, our affinities and our bodies. I may soon be relocating to a much colder state, having spent 30 years here in Poortland, OR, so your snow images both scare and inspire me. I am buying a small all weather yurt from a company very near you in Ontario called Groovyurts. So there I will be, standing up in my tiny place! Me, and a mountain of firewood. Best
Love these good tips. I love writing (words) but I don’t do it for work, well I do but want to eventually just write what I want. Focus is my challenge. Enjoy cold Canada, I’m in Washington State and is not so bad except the depressing gloomy days/months.
I love your comment about having kids. I used to work full time in the nonprofit world and now have a 6 and 3 year old, I work a flexible 10-15 hours and seldom get childcare. I garden obsessively, homeschool (it’s only kindergarten so far thankfully), work out twice a week, keep house, am active in women’s ministry at my church - somewhat shockingly I find myself reading and writing way more than before kids and I honestly feel like I get more done in my nonprofit work in 12 hours than I used to in 40. I mean, I’ve gained experience but still. That’s a lot less time. It’s so strange and wonderful to me. I think it’s something about having learned a lot about focus and compartmentalization and having drastically different types of activities in my day. Better work life balance maybe?
This is so brilliant- thank you for sharing. I am printing out those signs that will make me laugh and also loved the link to Cal - I knew his work but not the notebook idea with tasks on left and schedule on right- really works for my brain always full of ideas. I have felt so good ever since I have scheduled certain consistent things in my artist practice for the first time. I have been a performer for more than 20 years yet still was always searching for the right system. Simple habits are making a huge difference with time blocking but I love the notebook . Also am super spontaneous but with structure it's easier to give myself to do that as long as I block in enough buffer time ! :)
You are far more organised than me. But I find too much structure disagreeable. I certainly agree with the idea of time and space to yourself, unencumbered by any device. Indeed, it is one of the central themes of my forthcoming book, “Leave Your Phone At The Door”. I am also a great believer in the virtues of randomness and serendipity!
I do CAD drafting for a living. About 20 years ago, after bouts of sciatica and neck problems, I made the switch to a standing work desk. My life much improved. I lost some weight, and standing up encourages me to walk away for a minute or two, instead of sitting for too long at a time. I am convinced we are not really meant to sit for extended periods. Finally, I can say the quality of my work actually improved as well; the only conclusion I can draw is my brain must be in my ass!
I tried a standing desk for a few years, but oddly did not like it! I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm quite active in the rest of my life, and it feels so good just to sit down and be still for a few hours each day.
Thanks KJM....we are all just so different, our affinities and our bodies. I may soon be relocating to a much colder state, having spent 30 years here in Poortland, OR, so your snow images both scare and inspire me. I am buying a small all weather yurt from a company very near you in Ontario called Groovyurts. So there I will be, standing up in my tiny place! Me, and a mountain of firewood. Best
Love these good tips. I love writing (words) but I don’t do it for work, well I do but want to eventually just write what I want. Focus is my challenge. Enjoy cold Canada, I’m in Washington State and is not so bad except the depressing gloomy days/months.
Love this. Certainly explains how you manage to be so prolific!
I love your comment about having kids. I used to work full time in the nonprofit world and now have a 6 and 3 year old, I work a flexible 10-15 hours and seldom get childcare. I garden obsessively, homeschool (it’s only kindergarten so far thankfully), work out twice a week, keep house, am active in women’s ministry at my church - somewhat shockingly I find myself reading and writing way more than before kids and I honestly feel like I get more done in my nonprofit work in 12 hours than I used to in 40. I mean, I’ve gained experience but still. That’s a lot less time. It’s so strange and wonderful to me. I think it’s something about having learned a lot about focus and compartmentalization and having drastically different types of activities in my day. Better work life balance maybe?
This is so brilliant- thank you for sharing. I am printing out those signs that will make me laugh and also loved the link to Cal - I knew his work but not the notebook idea with tasks on left and schedule on right- really works for my brain always full of ideas. I have felt so good ever since I have scheduled certain consistent things in my artist practice for the first time. I have been a performer for more than 20 years yet still was always searching for the right system. Simple habits are making a huge difference with time blocking but I love the notebook . Also am super spontaneous but with structure it's easier to give myself to do that as long as I block in enough buffer time ! :)
You are far more organised than me. But I find too much structure disagreeable. I certainly agree with the idea of time and space to yourself, unencumbered by any device. Indeed, it is one of the central themes of my forthcoming book, “Leave Your Phone At The Door”. I am also a great believer in the virtues of randomness and serendipity!
Funny you should say that about randomness and serendipity, because I also love them, and was just thinking about possibly doing a post on that!