We took a long weekend, much deserved and needed but when we finally got online, we noticed we were having another downtime with our server. By the time we decided to go to bed last night, she had bottomed out again for the third time. As far as we know, she went down twelve times in 10 hours. Of course Thumper just had to check that one last time.

The frustration and stress set in. I listened to him vent knowing he had to let it out but there was nothing we could do but wait it out. He was racking his brain as to what possibilities could be the reason for the all the problems with the server. WHEN you pay for premium service you expect it!

The day has been carried over from yesterday’s downtime with the server.

So if you have been having difficulties with Bunnygotblog.com, it is probably our server. We do apologize.

Stress Sets In

Thumper and I work differently to begin with. First our work is totally different. He has clients all over the world.

The perfectionist in both of us is different. He expects jobs to be done to the extent of ones capability. In most cases he is disappointed for the lack of professionalism that occurs. He is a take charge kind of guy and often the first to insist on talking to a supervisor. He doesn’t like wasting his time with someone who has no authority. Downtime with the server is most problematic for us all so I would go straight to the top also.

Waiting it out and trying to keep updated with the tech service is pretty cumbersome. These little teases of the server being up again for a couple of hours and crashing again.

We have gotten the usual -

1. we are aware of the outage and we are working on it
2. It seems to be client problem
3. It’s not a client problem using to much memory for what ever reason
4. Replacing hardware as we speak . Once finished allow 15 minute for us to re-boot before server is up
5. Thank you for your patience but the server may be down – up to  24 hours.

I noticed on Sunday morning when he opened his email, that he could not relax without checking work. I knew he had to reply to his client but also reminded him, he could have avoided the email by…

1. sending a memo out to his clients, saying the office is closed for a couple of days and we would be back in the office on Tuesday
2. not opening his email at all.

Stop The Insanity

I think relaxation is something he needs to learn about. I try to encourage him but he has his own way of dealing with things.

When he gets stuck on something – I suggest refocus – take a break and look at it from another perspective. The intensity of his perfectionism has ran him against a brick wall. He needs to back up and take a detour.

To me tackling a new task at work is sort of like taking a road trip in unfamiliar territory. You have your car and driver’s license and trusted routed Triple A itinerary to follow. Do you just hit cruise control? Remember, you still have to watch for those road signs or you get lost. Pretty simple.

Well for those who feel speeding through a task is saving you time or asking for directions a waste of time, then end up spending four hours longer before arriving at the destination acceptable. Maybe you should rethink your train of thought.

More than not you usually have to go back to it and correct some way. A new task or project has to be given time. In no way do I feel I have given my best when trying to achieve three to four things at once. Multi-tasking should be a chapter of mythology and the book put back on the shelf.

Tips to save time and stay focused

Get rid of the distractions:

1. Put the answering service to work. A two minute call can throw you off 20 to 30 minutes with just getting your train of thought back. I do realize if you have kids in school you may want to have one phone number opened that is used for emergencies.
2. Only work on one thing at a time. Lay out the things you need for the job and only work on it.
3. Have a positive mindset. Being pessimistic is only going to bring you down. So even if you aren’t happy with the task, be happy you were hired/delegated for it. Like when a client wants something that is totally unethical to your professional standards.
4. Daily meditation increases your ability to concentrate longer on tasks.
5. Don’t read your email several times a day or leave it open so you can see when an email arrivals.
6. Music makes many people’s creativity and focus better because it motivates them. Thumper works each day with music.
7. Break when you need one. Even if only to rest your eyes while doing a few deep breathing exercises. This should relax you. Stand up and stretch or take walk while you clear your head. Have a piece of fresh fruit or a juice.

Trying to suggest this at this time with the server would be pushing it. So I will see if he reads this and smiles or not.

The server has been up a couple of uninterrupted hours. Thumper has pressed on swiftly to get the work out he wanted today. I will be happy when the day is over. I do have to say Thumper works great under pressure when he gets over the  shock.

Have you had any downtime and what did you do when it happened?