Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

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WanderingGaze22
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Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by WanderingGaze22 »

Imagine a long a tiring day. You come home or even have five minutes to not do anything. A responsible person would use this time to prepare for the next series of events. Of course overworking one's self does cause numerous problems. So the question here is actually trying to take time to calm yourself down and do something that looks productive only to you, like listening to music or taking up a hobby such as art. or even exercising for that matter?
Steve3007
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Steve3007 »

WanderingGaze22 wrote:So the question here is actually trying to take time to calm yourself down and do something that looks productive only to you, like listening to music or taking up a hobby such as art. or even exercising for that matter?
That's not a question. What do you want to ask? Are you asking people whether they do what you describe here? Are you asking for advice as to whether you should do it?
AverageBozo
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by AverageBozo »

What do you mean by “too much trouble”?
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Pattern-chaser
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Pattern-chaser »

I think the question here is whether it is OK to take time to relax and recover from the day's excesses? If so, my answer is that it is not merely OK, it is necessary.
Pattern-chaser

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Steve3007
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Steve3007 »

I suspect it's in the nature of this website that most people here think it's absolutely fine to fritter their time away with an aimless hobby when perhaps they should be using their time to "prepare for the next series of events". I know I do.
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Pattern-chaser
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Pattern-chaser »

Steve3007 wrote: August 5th, 2021, 7:20 am I suspect it's in the nature of this website that most people here think it's absolutely fine to fritter their time away with an aimless hobby when perhaps they should be using their time to "prepare for the next series of events". I know I do.
In my view, "frittering time away with an aimless hobby" is what we do to "prepare for the next series of events". We all need to work, rest and play. Since my retirement, though, I confine myself to rest and play. A much better way of life.
Pattern-chaser

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Steve3007
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Steve3007 »

Pattern-chaser wrote:In my view, "frittering time away with an aimless hobby" is what we do to "prepare for the next series of events".
Yes, that would be the ideal. I wish it were true for me in practice! :D . Ideally, the COBS encoder/decoder code that I'm supposed to be writing would be easier after I've taken a break for 5 minutes to talk ******** about the reification of abstractions, or whatever. In practice, a brisk walk on the beach and a glass of wine works better.
WanderingGaze22
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by WanderingGaze22 »

Steve3007 wrote: August 4th, 2021, 4:16 pm
WanderingGaze22 wrote:So the question here is actually trying to take time to calm yourself down and do something that looks productive only to you, like listening to music or taking up a hobby such as art. or even exercising for that matter?
That's not a question. What do you want to ask? Are you asking people whether they do what you describe here? Are you asking for advice as to whether you should do it?
I mean does taking time for yourself mean that you are selfish especially when it looks so unproductive?
WanderingGaze22
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by WanderingGaze22 »

AverageBozo wrote: August 4th, 2021, 6:03 pm What do you mean by “too much trouble”?
I mean will it disrupt other people's routines and cause problems such as reliability?
Steve3007
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Steve3007 »

WanderingGaze22 wrote:I mean does taking time for yourself mean that you are selfish especially when it looks so unproductive?
It might be selfish, but there's nothing wrong with being selfish from time to time. And, as Pattern-chaser suggested, if that "down time" means that you're refreshed and better prepared for whatever unselfish things you're supposed to be doing afterwards, then you could say that it's selfless because it's putting yourself into a state of mind whereby you're better equipped to help others later.

So go ahead, paint that masterpiece.
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Pattern-chaser
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Pattern-chaser »

Pattern-chaser wrote:In my view, "frittering time away with an aimless hobby" is what we do to "prepare for the next series of events".
Steve3007 wrote: August 5th, 2021, 12:51 pm Yes, that would be the ideal. I wish it were true for me in practice! :D . Ideally, the COBS encoder/decoder code that I'm supposed to be writing would be easier after I've taken a break for 5 minutes to talk ******** about the reification of abstractions, or whatever. In practice, a brisk walk on the beach and a glass of wine works better.
Bah! Sod the COBS - which sounds fascinating, but sadly off-topic here - and stick to "the reification of abstractions". 👍 Don't waste your life on message packets! 🙂
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Pattern-chaser
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Re: Does taking a moment really cause too much trouble?

Post by Pattern-chaser »

Steve3007 wrote: August 6th, 2021, 5:11 am
WanderingGaze22 wrote:I mean does taking time for yourself mean that you are selfish especially when it looks so unproductive?
It might be selfish, but there's nothing wrong with being selfish from time to time. And, as Pattern-chaser suggested, if that "down time" means that you're refreshed and better prepared for whatever unselfish things you're supposed to be doing afterwards, then you could say that it's selfless because it's putting yourself into a state of mind whereby you're better equipped to help others later.

So go ahead, paint that masterpiece.
Yes, I think the point is that down time is necessary, not an option. No human can work 8 hours of solid productive work without any sort of break. It just isn't possible for us. When we work hours that are too long, the quality of our work plummets. Down time isn't selfish, it's preparation for what comes next.

NOT to do that preparation would be selfish, and go against the interests of your employer and your work colleagues.

"Just look at that idiot! He pulled three all-nighters in a row, and now he's here screwing up our meeting because he's exhausted and can't think straight! What a fool!"
Pattern-chaser

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