The 24-hour workday

I cannot remember the last time I didn’t sit in front of a computer at least once in a 24-hour span. And now as the lead creative for several companies, there is no escaping it.

While the internet has brought about the 24-hour business arena, it has also brought about the 24-hour working day. It’s only compounded now that I tend to work with other web workers in different time-zones. When one is shutting down, another is just starting up. My IM messages often read as an international date-line.

As many of us make the move to online and build our own empire of websites and online businesses, we are certainly working longer and longer hours, but does it actually work? Is it beneficial to your business and your health?

What are the side affects of this 24-hour work day? I seem to have the stamina and the health to weather through weeks of shifted sleep time, I see a lot of web workers who don’t. I step away and take a break when I even start to think my work is slipping, or I can’t get that next great idea - I “walk it off”. 

For me, my work excites me and energizes  me, until the day comes when it doesn’t - I plan to keep working across time-zones, leading creatives. But it’s certainly not for everyone and its not without its draw-backs, take a good look at the quality of your work, and honestly assess whether or not you need to step away - unplug and recharge.