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Hey Spiceheads,

I started working with a company that partners with major IT vendors for networking gear about six months ago. For the most part things are awesome, the varied workload and scope is right where I need it to be and like it to be.

My question is, from time to time, you’ll get an issue that no matter what you throw at it, it just won’t go away. Right now I have my vendor helping out with the troubleshooting, and I am confident we’ll find the problem, but in the meantime I am having trouble leaving work, well, at work. I’m finding myself leaving work, waking up in the middle of the night thinking of this issue.

The issue is one that I don’t want to get into, I’m more looking for your thoughts on how you disconnect from said issues once you’ve left for the day?

16 Spice ups
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Im not very good at disconnecting from work issues myself. Thankfully it doesn’t happen very often but It drives me nuts when I cant seem to find/fix an issue. I will catch myself thinking about it in the evening, troubleshooting in my head. I sometimes dream about work. I hope to read some suggestions that might help in this thread. Thanks!

2 Spice ups
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Well I think that is not just IT related but also a, well, personal thing.

I think you could be in any industry really, if there is a problem that really bothers you needs fixing, you think about it, especially if you are passionate about solving it.

My SO e.g. works for a warehouse and she is thinking about people schedules and talks about inefficiencies and such to me all the time (not that I am listening too much haha) but her job, is something she could leave 100% at work, however I feel, as mentioned, if you are passionate about what you do you take it personal and it just follows you.

Most of the time I can just leave work be work when I walk out but for me as well, sometimes there is just stuff that just sticks and keeps bothering me until figured out.

2 Spice ups
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I’m lucky at home, i have my son as a distraction, and he’s a great one, let me tell you.

Before he was around, video games were my main (now tertiary after my wife) distraction.

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Like you, I have dreams about work. It sucks.

I’ve started listening to audio books, at home, sitting in a chair with a cocktail. I don’t allow myself to do anything else - no newspaper, conversations, or laptop. By forcing myself to listen intently, I am able to block out random thoughts about work. It’s good for an hour or two a day.

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Alcohol or other… substances work wonders too :wink:

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I am experiencing the same thing now to a lesser extent. There is an issue that I have had to re-tell the story on at least 20 times this past week (and I was not in the office for 3 of those days).

One of things that is important to keep in mind is that if you are working with a vendor you need to understand where your responsibilities/capabilities to fix things starts and ends. If you have done everything you can to tech out the issue then, you need to let the vendor(s) do there thing for a while until either of you come up with something that you have not thought of.

Another thing is to be patient. Oh and go something that always takes your mind off of stuff something that you really enjoy.

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I believe no matter the role in IT, it’s just one department that’s difficult to leave when one leaves the office. There are always little nagging issues or upcoming upgrades that don’t yet have a clear solution/path, and someone is always thinking about that.

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Issues like that come along from time to time for all of us. I find I either have to just give in and work at it till I find a solution, or go find something to completely take my mind off it. With three active kids I have a couple built in distractions, but the problem usually isn’t while they are awake. I’m a night hawk and don’t really sleep much, so things that keep me from the little sleep I do get are bad. I’ve found anything that fully grabs my attention will work. I might start an argument on spiceworks, reddit, or a gaming forum ( I don’t really do that often though), I might go play a video game, I might pick up a book, or take up a new anime series, something that will give my brain a new place to focus.

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When I get to one of those phases, I tend to keep a notepad next to the bed.

If something wakes me up, I write it down (even without turning on the light). While it doesn’t stop you waking up it does enable you to go back to sleep.

My other alternative is to get out of bed, go and do something else, read/TV/game until I am so tired I can barely think, then I go back to bed.

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I had this same problem, and solved it by finding hobbies that require concentration but that I like. Personally, I find rock-climbing or other workouts, building models, and woodworking to be most effective. In short, find a hobby that requires actual thought or problem-solving, and do that for a bit after work. 30 - 60 minutes is plenty for me to totally banish most other thoughts and be focused on something else instead.

Also, you might look into mindfulness training … most self-defense classes use mindfulness and self-awareness as the core of their training. So maybe looking into a karate / taekwondo / jiu-jistsu / krav maga / yoga / [whatever] class would be beneficial as well. Whatever you end up doing, remember the point is to have less stress, so make it something fun! Best of luck!

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Thanks for the suggestions so far guys, I find that working out helps with it, but I can’t sleep and work out :P.

And you’re right it does apply to all jobs, I was just asking from an IT/Consulting perspective because of the nature of my position.

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An hour or two of fake farming and I am good and disconnected.

3 Spice ups
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So…what’s your hobby?

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You can distract yourself but never really disconnect. Some of my best problem solving for work issues occur when I’m not actively thinking about them and not in the office or during work hours.

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Wow…this is a real thing. I just watched a video on Farming Simulator gameplay. Quite cathartic, I must say. So, what happens when you lost control of the combine and it plows right through your house?

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It is a real thing. The joy of the game is that there is no damage, violence, or mayhem. You just farm.

1 Spice up
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Working out right now, running helps, as does lifting. But also video gaming, currently playing Fallout 4.

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I never do let go. Fully anyhow. It’s not in my blood.

However, I find alcohol and various recreational substances make me forget. A bottle or two of Shiraz is what the doctor orders for me at least.

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These things happen, sometimes it’s easy to leave work at work often times when you’re really invested it’s hard. I think what helps me leave it at the office is having a plan to deal with issues. Saying, “okay, this is the problem. These are the steps to fix it. We are working on doing these things. I can continue working on it tomorrow.” Knowing you can get back into it tomorrow it’s a good way to let it stay at work. It’s easier said than done, but once you can get this mindset it helps tremendously.

2 Spice ups