{Malibu, California}
I recall previous 4th of July holidays spent working in the hospital, or on-call with my pager held tight as I nibbled on barbecue anxiously anticipating a flurry of calls regarding the behavioral management of alcohol-intoxicated patients. This year, however, I am free from the responsibility of being on call, free from the hospital, free from clinic, but NOT free from the mentality that I SHOULD be productive and get items A-Z done on my to-do list. Doctors tend to be perfectionists, overly self-critical, driven, competitive, which usually means that putting their “workaholic” tendencies aside in order to relax can be quite difficult. Well, at least that’s how I feel, but I’m working on it.
So, today after 12pm I intend on putting my computer, to-do list, and anything work-related aside for the sake of my own health and sanity. I think it’s about time to enjoy the traditions of this historic event in America, especially since barbecue and the beach sound far more appealing than doing paperwork and organizing my house.
Thought of the Day: Any other workaholics with me on this? Do you allow yourself to put work aside during holiday weekends?