What do you do if you struggle to disconnect from work outside of office hours?

One possible approach to managing the challenge of disconnecting from work outside of office hours is to establish clear boundaries and routines. For instance, allocating specific times for work-related tasks during the day and consciously setting aside personal time in the evenings can help create a healthier balance. Additionally, engaging in activities that promote relaxation and mindfulness, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones, can serve as effective ways to shift focus away from work commitments. It's essential to prioritize self-care and recognize that maintaining a healthy work-life balance ultimately contributes to overall well-being and productivity in the long run.

It's paramount that you separate work from home life in your devices. 1. Don't work from WhatsApp. Buy a Slack subscription and turn off its notifications on your phone. 2. Don't check your work email from your phone, and at least make sure its not the default account. 3. If you are in a call-heavy industry, get a number just for work and turn it off at whatever hour you deem appropiate. There is a school of thought that says that separating work from home is a myth. I think that school of thought is wrong and mainly proposed by workaholics. Even if you are spending 80 hour weeks in your job, make sure you focus on your home life on whatever time you have for it. I personally think striving for max 50 hour weeks is best.

Making things a habit is something that I've come to view as very important. If you're struggling to balance your work and life outside of work, create a few new habits. If this is a problem for you, I'm assuming you use your calendar a lot. Put some time on there for your to focus on things other than work. Make sure it's at the same time every day and eventually this will become habit.

Realize you work to live, not live to work. Companies will become dependent on you , and expect you to always be available if you let them. I know, I was guilty of it for many years. Learn to say no, when their expectations are unrealistic. Time is a precious commodity that cannot be replaced.

Deep work. It's the answer to most time problems. Google "the maker's schedule". Basically, when you are in a startup, you are making something, creating value out of thin air. And meetings, calls, distractions tend to get in the way. Reserve long stretches of time in your calendar and dedicate them only to deep, focus intensive work. I personally reserve full Wednesdays and 2 to 3 extra afternoons per week, plus 1 24-hour marathon per month. Once you get in the zone, there is no stopping you. But you must commit: no chat, no calls, no meetings. You will get more done in those hours than what some people do in a full month.

Back in the DotCom days, we had less devices than today. Heck… Some of us were on DSL modems! Maybe it was less convenient for us to stay connected all the time then. Nowadays, we have laptops, multiple phones, televisions that can connect to internet and even gaming consoles that are wired. How can we log off? Call me old school. But go for a run. Hit the gym. Do an aerobics class. Focus on the surroundings around you and what life is really about: People & Living P.S. - Remember to change your smart watch settings to Do Not Disturb ??

Delegate and Trust — I was once told that everyone contributes uniquely, but the team is built to continue and thrive, even as roles and responsibilities change. Learn to delegate effectively and trust your team with responsibilities. This will allow you to confidently disconnect after hours, knowing your projects are in capable hands.

I've found that sometimes when you are extremely motivated in your work, other time-intensive activities will seem either dull or annoying. I personally have 2 small children, and soon after they were born I started asking myself if spending so much time with them was the correct decision instead of applying myself at work more. I believe that once you sort out what's important for you personally (in my case, my kids), you can begin to understand that spending time in that activity is a project unto itself, and hence a productive use of your time. The fact some activities don't make you money doesn't mean they are not worth enjoying them. I personally believe that to be the most productive, you must have a balance with other activities.

Embrace the blend — In the startup world, balance doesn't always mean separation. Many of us, including myself, have found it more practical to blend work and life rather than strictly segment them. This integration can prevent the shock of returning to a mountain of tasks after a supposed break.