In my restaurant years, I was known for a while as the week-end warrior, working all day Saturdays and Sundays for about 5 years.
If I was off on Monday, I was exhausted yet there where many personal things to tend to. I kinda felt like the mouse on the test lab wheel.
Then I decided to shave Sunday off my schedule.
Wearing my concierge hat, I have tried to keep my Sunday slate clear of any assignments.
There might be an emergency or something very time sensitive that requires an exception once in a while but I try to keep it like that, an exception.
Not initiating contacts with clients on Sundays might be a good way not to fall into the 24/7 availability trap.
If you respect their downtime, they will hopefully respect yours as well.
Maura Shreier Fleming shares her thoughts in Doing Nothing is Something (All Business, August 19) on managing time, expectations and preventing burnout.
There's even a Working on Sunday novel (cover above).
On work, breathing room and sanity for Monday Work Etiquette # 124
Previously: 2010 Will be the Year of Authenticity