My single biggest secret for continuing to get things done, often working 12 hour days and 6 day weeks, is to love what I do.
I do not think of it as “work”, as something to “get through”, or as something difficult, unusual, “overload”, or temporary. Quite simply, I sit at my computer 12 hours per day, every day, because “I want to”, I love what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I have been working like this for years.
In fact, I feel sorry for anyone else who doesn’t feel this way. What a sad life to be spending so much time doing something that you have to force yourself to do.
Some of the things I have arranged in my life to enable me to do what I love:
I eat well. It’s a great idea no matter what your circumstances are.
I also exercise regularly, 20 minutes, 3 to 6 times per week. I mix it up and only do things I love: 5 rites, pushups & pullups, jogging, swimming, heavyhands, shovelglove, bodyweight exercises, and even a day or 2 at the gym on their machines.
Breakfast at my desk, lunch away from my desk, dinner and Jeopardy with my SO every night without exception.
At least one date night per week, with an extra beer or two just in case it’s a chick flick.
I never text, tweet, blog, IM, or facebook. I do respond to voicemail and email regularly. Everyone I know understands this.
Ipod, radio, and 3 cats keep me company.
I like to work in 48 minute bursts, with a 12 minute break each hour for email, internet, snack, or anything else.