Home : Blogs : Jeff Turner : Turner's Perspective

This Is My Last Post

I've been preaching balance for a long time, but I haven't really taken my own advice.

Project Blogger Logo Yesterday, I talked about the need to remember to have fun. Today, I'm talking about the need to take a break. And I'm suggesting a forced break. Like many of you here on AR, i love blogging. Love it. Tisza Major-Posner started a Blogaholics Anonymous group a few days ago, and I joined. Of course. I've talked to Julie Ferenzi about the need for balance, for taking breaks. I tell newbies to start practicing balance from the very beginning, so they don't fall into the blogaholic trap. I'm finally going to take my own advice.

This is my last post on Sundays. The comments I made on a couple of posts this morning are also my last comments on Sundays.

I need to have one day where I don't touch the computer.
I need to have one day where I can focus on the analog and not the digital.
I need to have one day where my office, which is in my home, is off limits.

That day is going to be Sunday. It seems like a good day for rest. And I know the rest will energize me and my writing. So when I hit the "Post Blog Entry" button at the bottom of this page... you won't hear from me again on Sundays.

I know this is good advice. I give it all the time. Now I'm taking it.

I'm going to click that button now. See you on Monday.

Posted by Jeff Turner on 06/03/2007 11:29 AM

Comments (120)

project blogger, blogaholic, jeff turner

Originally posted at: Turner's Perspective: This Is My Last Post

Post is included in group: The Hubba Clubba...ROAR!

120 Comments on This Is My Last Post

JUN

2007

Jeff- I was startled to read your headline. I thought "Oh, no".

Glad you are taking time off and not truly leaving. I really enjoy your posts. I don't typically log on on Sundays either but I got tagged for a meme, so I wanted to get it over. :)

Enjoy your day(s) off! :) See you Monday.

Taking Sunday off is a good idea Jeff...I think jay and I are going to take a ride to the beach...it's his birthday and if he can pull himself off the computer we'll be all set. See ya on Monday :)

good idea Jeff... sometimes the brain doesn't focus right when you're too into the puter... it is always so hard to get back on the horse but a day without recharges the batteries and creativity....

Jeff ~ Phew! I too thought you meant for good. You deserve a break so please take it. Sunday is a perfect day to do that...see you the rest of the week. :)

Thank God, A day off for the rest of us tooo!!!! j/k More than anyone you deserve time to yourself. I have always wondered how you did it all. Now, you will be completely recharged for the beginning of the week. I am looking forward to not seeing you here on Sundays.

I recommend you take Sunday off and play rumicube with your kids. All kids love rumicube!

You deserve a break - although do not cheat and write two on Saturday's! :-)

May I also advise not to just use Sunday. Pick one hour in the day for just you. Mine are usually in the morning after I check the computer, or make phone calls.

I agree that a day off is a much needed item especially in this career where it seems we work 24/7. So enjoy yourself!!

I was worried, I thought you were talking for good! Enjoy your day off, I know when I have periodically taken a day off it seems like forever!

Jeff T.... how funny. Your title led me to believe that this would be for like a week or a month. But just Sundays.... lol I totally agree though.... I am taking a few more breaks from time to time. I did 2 quick posts yesterday, but I only made 2 comments.

So... just Sundays? How about 2 days a week? Maybe the wife and kids would even be more happier... ;o)

jeff belonger

{SVW Hubba}...

Although we'll miss you, this a very good idea.

Having you gone on Sundays will make it more FUN to romp around and hijack your posts. SVW.

P.S. If you are reading this...Step away from that computer. LOL.

TLW...ROAR!

What a teaser headline. Enjoy your day off. I can only imagine the additional brilliant ideas/thoughts that will pop in your head as you relax more.

A very wise move....and a great example for all of us to follow!

Oh, heck, I always get stuff backwards. Blogging on Active Rain is what I do for recreation. You know, when I'm taking a break from all the real work.

See you tomorrow, Jeff!

It's heartening to see someone that actually follows their own advise. Good for you! Most people follow the do as I say, not as I do rule.

Great idea Jeff - so maybe you're not REALLY addicted - or has joining Tisza group producing a recovery this quickly - either way it's a great idea. Enjoy!

You can take off Sunday and you have our blessings. I am getting half a day off today. Good idea.

This makes total sense to me. I just realized yesterday that I was having sensory overload. I had the tv on, I was on my laptop, and I was talking on the phone. Enough is enough. It was time to turn something off.

Sorry Jeff....that's one thing I found I WILL NOT do. (take a day off ....voluntarily...from coming to AR) I did that the other day....not by choice but because I had to work....and it took me twice as long to catch up! I do keep my priorities straight though. Work first....and if I have pc work I open another window. I admit I'm a blogaholic...but only on this ONE blog. How's that? Am I in denial still?

Jeff, it's all about balance - work, family, spirit. Easier said than done though! Sundays away from A/R is a great start. Enjoy yourself.

More often than not, I find myself sticking to the "forced" days off ... national holidays, the last three weeks of December, the week of Thanksgiving, etc. Whether I want the time off or not, I have it.

I rarely take a day off from blogging unless I'm swamped with something else. Too therapeutic to stop.

Very good advice. I was going to do the same today but here I am, making a comment.

I think this is wise advice, and one I hope I can follow.

Good post, thanks for the advice. We'd all be wise to follow your lead. I'm headed out for a nice Sunday afternoon hike - no more computer today!

Enjoy your day off

Good for you - you have a beautiful family and you are a huge asset to all of us - you deserve more than a day a week

Hi Jeff:

Just back from a great 2 hour hike and saw your "last" post. Sunday for me is a great day to take off on a hike, have a great breakfast at some little out of the way place, have an afternoon picnic, or get out in the garden. Its refreshing and then I look forward to the week ahead. So enjoy and take the rest of the afternoon off.

I'm popping in a picture I took this morning off a trail in Cuckholds Cove, Newfoundland during my "time off". In all four icebergs are in the bay. Kinda makes your mind and heart stop for a few minutes and say "awesome".

Cuckholds Cove

Jeff, you'll be reading this on Monday. But, just wanted to say we always need to return to the basic in life. Work 6 days and rest on the 7th. I'm proud of you and you're kids will notice a difference.

Enjoy your day with your family...that's really what it's all about. Blogging isn't going anywhere, your computer isn't going anywhere, the office isn't going anywhere...but those kids grow up in the blink of an eye.

OH JEFF: Say it ain’t so! How can we get by without a DAILY Jeff-fix? When we take a day off—we sometimes hear about it. Still, we seldom post daily anymore—feels kinda good.

Jay & Med

Enjoy your day, it is a day of rest but the rest of us haven't figured that out, yet. I try to blog on down town or during slow periods. I love Active Rain because I always walk away with something new or a new idea. It helps me grow professionally and personally. It is usually the one day I take off from work, the home office desk. My work habits are slowing changing and now I spend the first 45 minutes of each day exercising and intend to spend each break doing the same. I have found that I am more relaxed after a good workout.

Enjoy your day!

Jeff, I always knew you were smarter than me! See you back on Monday

Jeff, I have also noticed a dismaying increase in my carpal tunnel problems since discovering AR. My wrists could use a day off once a week...

Jeff, i agree. get some space.. some analog :)

Very good plan! We all need a day, some distance, some life outside the computer. Enjoy.

Great idea, as yours usually are, will most of us take it ..............................No.

This is really funny. Did not realized that blogging could be addictive. Blogging for me is more difficult. When I get to spending too much time blogging, I will remember your warning and take the day off. Have a great day off!

Okay....I felt all guilty earlier...so I immediately got off AR.,...paid bills through August (seriously), got my state/fed taxes paid. Got my client docs ready for next week. And see ya tomorrow!

Very wise! Smart move Jeff.

Doesn't it say somewhere in the Bible that God rested on the seventh day? If God needed rest, so do we! Mike C

Good post Jeff...we all need balance in our lives and many do not realize the changes that should be made. I have written in the past about changes I made years ago that focused on my family and my business soared instead of suffering. Have a great day.

Thank you,Jeff

I office out of my home, too and it can be overwhelming... Am I at work? AM I at home? I am going to join you in NOT being online on Sundays and I am also going to rent an office OUT of my home. Have a wonderul week!

~Mariana

great advise balance in your job, in your family life, i am a firm believer in that as well enjoy your day off Jeff.

Enjoy your time with your loved ones...you work hard and we appreciate all you contribute. When I first read the post I was think you were shutting down for an extended period. Sundays- that works !

Lets see if you can stick to it.

I hear ya Jeff - I am always busy on Sundays too - just had a second before I ran out the door to reply to my post and I saw yours.

Was scared you were gone for good =(

Have fun!

Jeff, I totally agree. Enjoy and relax. When you start to get the "shakes" when you pass by your computer on Sundays... JUST SAY NO!! :) You can do it!

HA! I agree with Cheryl...I thought this was the break.

best wishes to all

Jeff,

Hope you enjoy your Sundays off! :)

You are a better man than me if you can stick to routine. I tend to "feel" my way through days off. Like yesterday. Didn't touch the darn computer and only returned one phone call. It was delightful. But alas, it's 5:01 pm now and I have to start getting my week together.

see ya tomorrow.

You're going to have a lot of reading to do when you wake up Monday Morning tool boy! You know we're taking a short 3-day cruixe next weekend and I am already going through withdrawals....but I know it will be good for me.

Now, Ines, you can write all you want, just not read. I write some of my favorite blogs in airports and on long flights. You can still get 'net on a ship too, baby. Been there, done it.

Jeff - what a great idea to step away from the computer! Step away, step far far away - I should take that advice, too. I have been known to hear from my honey that he can now relate to what it must feel like to be a football widow......I felt really sad after I laughed when I thought about what he said. I do have some nights during the week that I try to not turn on the computer - works once in awhile.

Good for you! I hope you had a truly wonderful day today.
Ann

Ines - take Chris' advice, and maybe that will help with the withdrawal symptoms... ;-) Just think of all the things you'll have to tell us about in your posts when you get back!!

Ann

Thank heaven I learned in the rest of the post that it wasn't really your LAST blog, only your last Sunday blog! For some of us blogging may be recreation rather than work, but to our families - it's all time away from them. Kudos for your new balance. Hope you enjoyed the day!

whimp. :)

Been there done that. Nothing wrong with it. I'm sure Rocky will appreciate it along with with all the kids. We wouldn't want to see you get burned out.

Kudos Jeff. See you Monday.

Monika's comment above was really me. I was in her profile fixing something and forgot to log out. Oh well,

Chris - you get get net on a ship? with a Sprint card? or what? tell me!! Please!!!

Great Idea.. there should be a day of rest..So I should really do that..

What a relief you'll still be around, Jeff. I read most of your posts; don't always comment. But did subscribe to your REAL ESTATE SHOWS! Great feature and amenity and a bargain at 2x the price!

I NEVER TAKE A DAY OFF...OK, yes, day off. When? Maybe Friday? No blogging, no calls, devote the day to just ME (who's that?), perhaps dinner out w/family uninterrupted? Sounding awfully good...

Jeff, what a good example you are. About the "only" thing work related to real estate, if you can call AR work related, that I do on Sunday is spend about an hour blogging, commenting, etc. Sunday is my day off too......but while my husband is watching golf, and we don't have little ones anymore, I do this. Enjoy your Sundays. We all need one day of rest, after all that's what Sunday is for isn't it? Or at least a change! See you tomorrow!!!

Jeff,

I am on vacation in AZ and I still did not take a break...maybe
I need to..good advice.

Jeff,

Congratulations and enjoy your Sunday. I haven't reached the point where I can go an entire day without getting on my computer, but I did take Sunday off from work, Saturday too. I highly recommend it.

Fran

Jeff, congratulations and great advice. I need to take the same approach, thanks for the reminder!

Jeff, we'll miss you on Sundays, but you're doing the right thing. We all need a break, whether it be from blogging, prospecting, chasing files, whatever. Balance is vital and scheduling the time off is a great way to make sure that you get it. Thanks for the post!

JUN

2007

Jeff, Good choice . Thisfamily time will energize you for the week.

As Realtors it is not so easy to set a day aside. Something always pops up it seems. We have been known to get in the car at 10, 11 or even 12 at night and drive to the ocean for a refresher...that's the best R&R for us. .that's why we moved here.

Hope you had a wonderful Sunday!

Ginger

You scared me at first, I love reading your blogs!

My father always said Sunday should be a day for rest - I wish that were true for everyone, because as a Realtor, you have to work when others aren't.

Hope you had a wonderful day - Leigh:)

Good for you Jeff.

Since I feel I can walk away anytime I want, I do not need to take such a drastic step. I am not addicted, well maybe a little. LOL

Jeff, I got all teary when I read the beginning of your post. It really felt like a goodbye letter from a family member left on your door steps.

Well, I am glad it's only one day. See you this Saturday I hope?

That's Sad, Really Sad! A Sunday without blogging? Are you going to be ok? I mean that's tantamount to a day without a cup of coffee to start your day, that's tantamount to a day wiithout eating; even worse that's tantamount to a day without a client telling you how your doing everything wrong!!!! You need to rethink this - don't do it - anything but giving up blogging :)

Jeff, from the title I thought I was going to have to have a talk with you.

Now I see that once again, you are just way too smart. This habit you have of always being right could be really irritating if you weren't also so nice! ;o)

Unfortunately the computer can be addicting. I could basically live on it if I didn't have to make phone calls, show homes, go to appointments etc... Good advice - take time with family and for fun or we'll become boring people.

Wake Up...Wake Up...

Your FANS are awaiting. Hundreds of them. SVW.

TLW...ROAR!

Last night at 10PM, my wife was on the phone with Julie Ferenzi when I announced... "I am going to bed." Rocky just started laughing and told Julie, "Jeff has no idea what to do with himself. He hasn't been on the computer all day and he's a bit lost." So, I went to bed at 10pm.

10PM!

I now have almost 8 hours of sleep in my body and a day full of ideas that had no way to get out. I have read every comment in this string and I thank you all. I wrote the headline the way I did for a reason, obviously, but I did not expect 78 comments this morning. I can't possibly comment on them all, but there are some great suggestions in here. And much encouragement. The first thing I read this morning was Ed Rybzcynski's featured post. That and these comments have made for the start of a great week!

And I got passion! :) but I was so excited I typed it in wrong and now I've got carrot.

Jeff,

I agree we all need time off no matter how much we love it. We cannot be everywhere all of the time. We need to do it with moderation. I did take time off from AR and noticed that I missed it, but now I do not just need to see what is going on everywhere. I found me medimun finally.

Welcome back! :)

Hi Jeff. Gosh darn'it you deserve a day off once in a while! Keep up the good work. I always read and enjoy your blogs.

Hi Jeff,

Good luck on taking some time away from the computer. I have no problem staying away as long as I have my blackberry handy.

We had a huge storm with a power outage for four days this year. I think I was the only one that was truly happy to have no computer access for four whole days. Playing cards with my family by candle light was a welcome break from the Blogosphere.

As much as I was a bit lost yesterday, I enjoyed it. I'm glad I've set this new rule for myself. And, I've got 7 enforcers here to make sure I stay in line. :)

Hi Jeff, we will be waiting for you on Monday!! Good advice

Jeff, right on. I take Sunday's totally off. That is my look-my-wife-in-the-eyes-and-focus-when-we-are-talking day.

John... I can't look my wife in the eyes. She scares me. :)

Jeff,

Balance is the word. But it's easier said than done. If we only learned to find the right balance in other things, too, besides blogging, we'd be much better in everything. That's great that you found the inner strength to take Sundays off.

Jeff- Too funny about Rocky's comment!! I was literally laughing out loud. I imagine your batteries are supercharged and this week we will see some extra amazing stuff from you. :)

Debi.... you had to go and put pressure on me, didn't you. :)

Gee, Jeff....you should threaten to leave more often!

That is a good rule - No blogging on sunday, or any computing on sunday. This AR is adictive!

Jeff-

I too got concerned when I read the headline. I am glad you are only taking a day off. We all need to step away from our computer. I am trying not to check email after dinner time. My kids are always saying "Mom are you on the computer again". My kids won't always be little and most emails can wait until the morning.

Jeff- You feel pressure? Nah.

Jeff, I for one am glad you took the day off...makes me feel better about taking the whole weekend off! LOL. I hope you enjoyed yourself!

JUN

2007

wow - you sure got a lot of feedback on this blog. I read in an rss reader and came here to leave a comment after reading and was a little surprised at all the comments. But I can see why. Its hard to set limits, but it has to be done at some point. When you get addicted... I think it applies to lots of things like using a blackberry, the computer, watching tv, etc. Congrats on officially freeing up a day. Maybe you'll watch some national tv news and catch up what's going on outside the world of A/R. (just poking a little fun about not knowing about the fires in the South and the smoke coming up to Memphis :)

Jeff at one point I couldnt get off the computer as well but i realized that family time is much more important. THis site is addicting but there is more to life than active rain.

See you on Saturday Jeff

Eddy

JUN

2007

Jeff - What a great tribute to your family....while this is so much fun, it is still work related. Kudos to you!

Jeff

This is my first comment in a month or so and I understand ---

Peace

JUN

2007

Good for you! Don't let me catch you online on a Sunday! I can see you on iChat! ;)

Hats off to you Jeff! Just stick to it and enjoy your Sundays

JUN

2007

Rochell... like you're ever on IM on Sunday! :)

Ann... I'm planning on it!

Wise advice. Sunday should be a day of rest and blogging is addictive. We need discipline in everything we do.

Thanks, Treci. I love what I do, so I don't think of it as work. That contributes to the desire to want to do more and more. But I enjoyed the day away. And, by the way, it's away from the computer, period. Not just blogging.

Sundays off is a good idea, especially if you have family, kids.

I have been thinking the same thing, primarily so I can go fishing with some new friends. (I'm single)

In years past, I gave in and decided I was always going to always have to work Sundays and Saturdays. I thought I would take off on Thursday (to rest up for the working weekend), work 1/2 day Friday (to setup appts for the weekend), and take off Wed at 5pm (in case wanted to go away on Thurs). Well, I only briefly put this plan into effect; and now want some semblence of normalcy on weekends.(off Sunday )

I will do open houses on Sunday if necessary and they will be in the interest of "having fun, meeting people", and nOT actually working.

I miss a regular day off in this business.

Good luck and enjoy your day off.

Walt, thanks. I don't think I've ever done this before. Not consistently. I need it. I think everyone does.

I have $25 on the table that you put up a post tomorrow.

What's your $25 say? :)

TLW...ROAR!

TLW [SVW]... I know it would be good to see a post about the gathering in LA tonight. But, my word is my word. And it's not my word to this community that I'm most interested in. It's my word to my kids and wife. So... I'm going to take lots of photos and record some video. Maybe even have some fun while I'm at it. There will be a post about it, but not until Monday. :)

JUN

2007

Yeah Jeff!

Have a good day off!

Blog Boy also says that you will not make it through today without posting. LOL.

That's another $25 bucks on the table :)

JUN

2007

You both lost. In fact, I didn't touch my computers. Now... I have to go check out all the AR Gathering posts. :)

Crap...

Ever try to get money from a lion? SVW.

TLW...ROAR :)

LOL! I napped yesterday. NAPPED! Fell asleep on our cozy chair for three hours while the boys were at a birthday party and the girls were napping. NAPPED!