Don’t Let Internet Work Run Your Life

Posted on 23. Feb, 2007 by DeanHunt in Business Advice

Over the past 12 months I have been gradually spending more and more time working online. This has had a positive effect for my bank balance, but it has had a negative effect on my personal health and personal life.

My eye sight has gone from “perfect” to needing to wear glasses whilst using the PC or reading. I have gained some weight, and I am pretty sure that I am internally more unhealthy than I have ever been.

Luckily I am only 24 years old, so I can partially get away with some of this, but there will be a point when my body has had enough.

So I am going to start making a change, and if you can relate to the above then you should read my three tips to prevent Internet work from running your life.

Tip 1) Set strict working hours – One of the main advantages to working from home is that I have much more flexibility in my working hours. But this can eventually become a problem. Going to bed at 4am has been a regular occurance for me, but it really helps to have strict working hours. Often I would have nothing to do, and would just do a few hours more work. These extra hours can really add up, so be strict and get into a routine.

Tip 2) Learn to say no – When you start working online it can be very hard to say no to paid work. But you have to start to prioritise your work. Is spending 3 hours creating a logo for $20 really going to benefit you in the long term?

Tip 3) Have a personal life – You may be young, but there will be a day when you are lying on your death bed, and guess what… you are not going to wish you had worked more hours. So try and add some balance to your life. If you have nothing else to do then try and learn a new language, a new skill, get a new hobby.