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I often find myself at totally random moments thinking about problems related to work. It is often at times that I have been away from the laptop, that solution

I often find myself at totally random moments thinking about problems related to work. It is often at times that I have been away from the laptop, that solutions pop-up in my mind, for a nasty problem. Often it is form of attacking a problem from a different direction. For me turning of my work laptop is not enough to disconnect from work. Most of the thinks that I worry about while being at home are not about technical aspects but about non-technical aspects of the job: dealing with managers, colleagues, and project organisation.

martinclayton 3y ago
Same here. I have no trouble "closing the laptop", but I can't stop my mind from problem solving. Fortunately for me I don't have any of the "soft" concerns you mention. The practical side is clear: close the laptop. But on the mental side I do wonder where the right balance is. I've recently started to forget about work at the weekends to the extent that - usually late on a Sunday - I suddenly remember I have to be at work the next day, which is an odd sensation. Probably just getting old(er).
- imhoguy 3y ago
  Looks like you just had busy and nice weekends then. I get the same deep reset weekends sometimes, especially when I also take Friday off. Then the next Monday morning I barely remember what to say at the daily stand-up confessional.
geraldwhen 3y ago
That sounds like anxiety. Nothing is so important that it can’t wait for business hours. And if the company will fail or you would be negatively judged for only working on business hours, there are always other jobs. Writing down a shower thought that hits you out of your subconscious is one thing, but actively considering work topics off work time is working more for the same pay. My interactions with colleagues are pleasant enough that I don’t need to worry about them at home. And things like “resource allocation” happens on work time
- porker 3y ago
  Or ADHD. That means that I wake up thinking about things - work, house tasks - and I don't get to switch off in the way that you do.
runeks 3y ago
> I often find myself at totally random moments thinking about problems related to work. It is often at times that I have been away from the laptop, that solutions pop-up in my mind, for a nasty problem. Often it is form of attacking a problem from a different direction. I get this too, all the time, but I don’t see it as a problem. This is what the mind likes to do: chew on problems. It’s not realistic be expect to be able to prevent your mind from trying to solve problems. All you can really do is to not pay it too much attention and it eventually dies out. If a solution to a work problem pops into my mind, I just write down a few key words on my phone and continue with my day. Then I revisit the notes on my next work day.
creer 3y ago
If you are getting paid as an engineer, let that happen. Don't ignore ideas just because it's off hours. You don't have to let that thinking take over your life: make a note of the new idea and get to it monday if you want. But these solutions are precious. When they happen, they happen.

martinclayton 3y ago

Same here. I have no trouble "closing the laptop", but I can't stop my mind from problem solving. Fortunately for me I don't have any of the "soft" concerns you mention. The practical side is clear: close the laptop. But on the mental side I do wonder where the right balance is. I've recently started to forget about work at the weekends to the extent that - usually late on a Sunday - I suddenly remember I have to be at work the next day, which is an odd sensation. Probably just getting old(er).

imhoguy 3y ago
Looks like you just had busy and nice weekends then. I get the same deep reset weekends sometimes, especially when I also take Friday off. Then the next Monday morning I barely remember what to say at the daily stand-up confessional.

geraldwhen 3y ago

That sounds like anxiety. Nothing is so important that it can’t wait for business hours. And if the company will fail or you would be negatively judged for only working on business hours, there are always other jobs. Writing down a shower thought that hits you out of your subconscious is one thing, but actively considering work topics off work time is working more for the same pay. My interactions with colleagues are pleasant enough that I don’t need to worry about them at home. And things like “resource allocation” happens on work time

porker 3y ago
Or ADHD. That means that I wake up thinking about things - work, house tasks - and I don't get to switch off in the way that you do.

runeks 3y ago

> I often find myself at totally random moments thinking about problems related to work. It is often at times that I have been away from the laptop, that solutions pop-up in my mind, for a nasty problem. Often it is form of attacking a problem from a different direction. I get this too, all the time, but I don’t see it as a problem. This is what the mind likes to do: chew on problems. It’s not realistic be expect to be able to prevent your mind from trying to solve problems. All you can really do is to not pay it too much attention and it eventually dies out. If a solution to a work problem pops into my mind, I just write down a few key words on my phone and continue with my day. Then I revisit the notes on my next work day.

creer 3y ago

If you are getting paid as an engineer, let that happen. Don't ignore ideas just because it's off hours. You don't have to let that thinking take over your life: make a note of the new idea and get to it monday if you want. But these solutions are precious. When they happen, they happen.