Comments on: Don't get too comfortable at home after work http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:21:08 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Ashley http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-178755 Ashley Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:22:47 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-178755 God, I love your blog but your TV comments are driving me crazy. So once again, I am driven to post. One, I think your problem and a lot of the problem with the constant TV scapegoating (why not add going to movies in there?) is the outdated notion people have of watching TV and what that means. Most people picture a person sitting on the sofa aimlessly turning the channels and watching random shows. Sure that might happen once in awhile to take a little relaxation in life but in this day and age, TV is about connecting to shows you love and watching them in order with a purpose in mind whether it be to understand them, empathize with them or talk with your friends about them. Gen Y is taking control back over their TV shows with the internet and now can watch them whenever they want while being able to connect to a community of people who love TV shows as well. So it can be just as much about those relationships that are important to happiness. And I strongly believe that narrative can add a lot to people's lives no matter what the medium. Shows really are getting more intelligent these days and people don't just comfortably watch them but think about them and even more importantly engage with them whether it is writing about them, creating stories about them, making transformative video and various other things that stretch people mentally. So think twice before you mention TV in a way that's about the past and instead think about the current and future ways people use entertainment. God, I love your blog but your TV comments are driving me crazy. So once again, I am driven to post. One, I think your problem and a lot of the problem with the constant TV scapegoating (why not add going to movies in there?) is the outdated notion people have of watching TV and what that means. Most people picture a person sitting on the sofa aimlessly turning the channels and watching random shows. Sure that might happen once in awhile to take a little relaxation in life but in this day and age, TV is about connecting to shows you love and watching them in order with a purpose in mind whether it be to understand them, empathize with them or talk with your friends about them.

Gen Y is taking control back over their TV shows with the internet and now can watch them whenever they want while being able to connect to a community of people who love TV shows as well. So it can be just as much about those relationships that are important to happiness. And I strongly believe that narrative can add a lot to people's lives no matter what the medium. Shows really are getting more intelligent these days and people don't just comfortably watch them but think about them and even more importantly engage with them whether it is writing about them, creating stories about them, making transformative video and various other things that stretch people mentally. So think twice before you mention TV in a way that's about the past and instead think about the current and future ways people use entertainment.

]]> By: jomster2003 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-120998 jomster2003 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:52:12 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-120998 That's a nice perspective on life after work! Thanks! That's a nice perspective on life after work! Thanks!

]]> By: Paul Williams http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-112719 Paul Williams Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:18:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-112719 Thank you. Sometimes we do need a kick to get things moving. I just my cold would go so I could go run! Thank you.

Sometimes we do need a kick to get things moving.

I just my cold would go so I could go run!

]]> By: Dale http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-111998 Dale Sun, 18 Nov 2007 05:32:44 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-111998 Penny, "So stop using work as an excuse to not do anything challenging after work. You grow when you challenge yourself, and you need to grow in ways that can only happen outside of work in order to be able to grow at work as well." This was perhaps the statement that resonated most with me. For the reason that many of us also use our kids to excuse us from stretching our boundries. Now don't get me wrong, children wear you out - I know, I have alot of little ones. But I also know that I need to do something other than work 8 to 5, and be my little pony to my daughters or a rodeo bull to my sons after hours. Not only will extending my boundries make me more capable at work, but a better parent at home. Penny,

"So stop using work as an excuse to not do anything challenging after work. You grow when you challenge yourself, and you need to grow in ways that can only happen outside of work in order to be able to grow at work as well."

This was perhaps the statement that resonated most with me. For the reason that many of us also use our kids to excuse us from stretching our boundries. Now don't get me wrong, children wear you out – I know, I have alot of little ones. But I also know that I need to do something other than work 8 to 5, and be my little pony to my daughters or a rodeo bull to my sons after hours.
Not only will extending my boundries make me more capable at work, but a better parent at home.

]]> By: Joyce Maroney http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-111703 Joyce Maroney Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:29:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-111703 <p>How about spending some of that after work time stretching yourself AND helping others who need your help? Volunteer led youth organizations like scouting sorely need leaders. Non-profit organizations need volunteers and board members. Your town or city has lots of committees that need members for civic projects. I get the TIME issue - have 2 kids, a husband, a schnauzer and a full time management job myself. I do, however, serve on a non-profit board and a town committee. Even a small amount of your time can make a big difference to these organizations.</p> * * * * * * <I>Well, this comment points out a glaring problem with a lot of volunteer work -- it doesn't always stretch us. Finding volunteer work that stretches is not always easy. But might make the idea of volunteering more appealing. --Penelope</i> How about spending some of that after work time stretching yourself AND helping others who need your help? Volunteer led youth organizations like scouting sorely need leaders. Non-profit organizations need volunteers and board members. Your town or city has lots of committees that need members for civic projects. I get the TIME issue – have 2 kids, a husband, a schnauzer and a full time management job myself. I do, however, serve on a non-profit board and a town committee. Even a small amount of your time can make a big difference to these organizations.

* * * * * *
Well, this comment points out a glaring problem with a lot of volunteer work — it doesn't always stretch us. Finding volunteer work that stretches is not always easy. But might make the idea of volunteering more appealing.

–Penelope

]]> By: peter vajda http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-111685 peter vajda Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:51:55 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-111685 I think the "time" element is important and whether one is "investing" one's time or "spending" one's time...(think how one does this around money). One does not have to be "do-ing" to invest one's time. There are many ways to invest in time while "be-ing". You can sit and do nothing and be nothing (veging, unconscious) and you can sit and do nothing yet be someome. I think the "time" element is important and whether one is "investing" one's time or "spending" one's time…(think how one does this around money). One does not have to be "do-ing" to invest one's time. There are many ways to invest in time while "be-ing". You can sit and do nothing and be nothing (veging, unconscious) and you can sit and do nothing yet be someome.

]]> By: Gladstone http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-111679 Gladstone Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:52:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-111679 Timely. I have established an after-work routine in the last month or so that is very fulfilling. OK, I'll stop torturing you all with anticipation. Here it is: 6-7.30: eat dinner and work out on Chuck Norris Total Gym.==sustenance and maintenance 7.30: watch Pure in Heart, Korean soap opera==diversion, 'unwinding' 8-9:email, web browsing, trumpet and computer blogs and forums, with Law & Order on in the background==maintenance 9-10:read technical books about the work I do==challenge, learning 10-11:practice trumpet==learning, challenging 11+ go to bed or catch part of a movie, usually on TCM. I look forward to this and enjoy all of it. My wife enjoys me working out because she can stand there and talk to me and I can't get away. I enjoy the learning I'm doing for my job, and developing jazz improv and range skills on trumpet is very satisfying. Before I know it, it's bed time and then a new day. Sitting in front of the boob tube the whole time would be draining and depressing. So would lying in bed, which is what depressives seem to do. Chicken or egg? Timely. I have established an after-work routine in the last month or so that is very fulfilling. OK, I'll stop torturing you all with anticipation. Here it is:

6-7.30: eat dinner and work out on Chuck Norris Total Gym.==sustenance and maintenance

7.30: watch Pure in Heart, Korean soap opera==diversion, 'unwinding'

8-9:email, web browsing, trumpet and computer blogs and forums, with Law & Order on in the background==maintenance

9-10:read technical books about the work I do==challenge, learning

10-11:practice trumpet==learning, challenging

11+ go to bed or catch part of a movie, usually on TCM.

I look forward to this and enjoy all of it. My wife enjoys me working out because she can stand there and talk to me and I can't get away. I enjoy the learning I'm doing for my job, and developing jazz improv and range skills on trumpet is very satisfying. Before I know it, it's bed time and then a new day. Sitting in front of the boob tube the whole time would be draining and depressing. So would lying in bed, which is what depressives seem to do. Chicken or egg?

]]> By: Jackie http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-111674 Jackie Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:11:42 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-111674 I really needed to read this today so I can't thank you enough for posting this! I finished college about a year and a half ago and as soon as I graduated I got a full time job. Ever since then I have been very down. You have inspired me I am going to change things up a bit. Thanks Penelope!!! I really needed to read this today so I can't thank you enough for posting this! I finished college about a year and a half ago and as soon as I graduated I got a full time job. Ever since then I have been very down. You have inspired me I am going to change things up a bit. Thanks Penelope!!!

]]> By: John Goodman http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-111672 John Goodman Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:57:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-111672 Good post! It's all about getting out of the rut we put ourselves in. It might be easier to start by changing the things we already do rather than initially finding new things to challenge us. Why not try driving a different way to work? Walk the dog a different route? Change the circuit or exercises you already do at home or the gym? These are things you're doing already; now just do them differently. This should get that old cerebral cortex chuggin' along sufficiently that you'll now want to try new and different things too! Good post!
It's all about getting out of the rut we put ourselves in. It might be easier to start by changing the things we already do rather than initially finding new things to challenge us. Why not try driving a different way to work? Walk the dog a different route? Change the circuit or exercises you already do at home or the gym? These are things you're doing already; now just do them differently. This should get that old cerebral cortex chuggin' along sufficiently that you'll now want to try new and different things too!

]]> By: Joan Woodbrey http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/14/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/comment-page-1/#comment-111669 Joan Woodbrey Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:04:14 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/28/dont-get-too-comfortable-after-work/#comment-111669 I recently had my cable disconnected for this very reason. It had become such a habit to come home, grab something to eat and sit in front of the tube for hours on end before finally going to bed. I had forgotten all about how good I felt when I actually worked out after work, cooked my boyfriend and I a new recipe for dinner and sat and talked with each other, instead of sitting beside each other staring at the TV. Now I feel happier, healthier and more satisfied with my day to day life. And, as we all know, being healthy and happy with yourself, can lead to success in other areas of life as well. Thanks for this post. I recently had my cable disconnected for this very reason. It had become such a habit to come home, grab something to eat and sit in front of the tube for hours on end before finally going to bed. I had forgotten all about how good I felt when I actually worked out after work, cooked my boyfriend and I a new recipe for dinner and sat and talked with each other, instead of sitting beside each other staring at the TV. Now I feel happier, healthier and more satisfied with my day to day life. And, as we all know, being healthy and happy with yourself, can lead to success in other areas of life as well.

Thanks for this post.

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