Comments on: Is Your Life a Runaway Train?

By: How do Entrepreneurs take a Vacation? | Organizing Expert and WAHM

How do Entrepreneurs take a Vacation? | Organizing Expert and WAHM — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:31:06 +0000

[...] James at Men with Pens shares the analogy of a Run Away Train and momentum in our businesses. What happens when you stop the train? Check out the article. [...]

By: Freelancer Vacation | Men With Pens

Freelancer Vacation | Men With Pens — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:42:52 +0000

[...] course I charged at that waving red cape. James and I talked about how his business had become a runaway train, and how he needed to plan a freelancer vacation, find support and work while [...]

By: How to Mix Business and Pleasure on Vacation | Men With Pens

How to Mix Business and Pleasure on Vacation | Men With Pens — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:00:51 +0000

[...] you’ve figured out that you’re riding the runaway freelancer train, that you need to slowly start easing up on working too hard, and then finally start to take care [...]

By: Do You Need Support to Take a Break? | Men With Pens

Do You Need Support to Take a Break? | Men With Pens — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:00:54 +0000

[...] posted on runaway speeding trains and crashing your business or burning out your engine. I’ve also posted a starter plan to ease up on the train’s throttle so you can take a [...]

By: How to Plan a Freelancer Vacation So You Can Refuel | Men With Pens

How to Plan a Freelancer Vacation So You Can Refuel | Men With Pens — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:02:09 +0000

[...] week’s post on the life of freelancers and their runaway trains hit a nerve – many people could see themselves on that crash course to burnout already. One [...]

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:43:35 +0000

Michelle: I'm normally a big picture person, but then I get way overwhelmed by the details. When that happens I pull myself back totally into the present and just enjoy the process. Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post...Making suckiness good: Lab Rats Week 1

By: Michele

Michele — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:22:53 +0000
That is so true, Alex! It's why I love focusing on small goals instead of the whole picture--it gets to be overwhelming if I don't. Thanks again for a lovely post. *smiles* Michele Michele´s last blog post...Confessions from an Amish Farm

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 06:00:07 +0000

Tara: I always wonder about that one too and like James I believe that there are multiple routes to success and multiple levels of success. For example, I’m looking for moderate success that gives me a decent income without ever getting on the speeding train. The journey will take longer, but I’ll enjoy it a heck of a lot more.

James: One thing about burnout – the ideal situation would be to avoid reaching that feeling ever and for new businesses to start off knowing that they’ll stop at every station and pace themselves.

Dot: Glad I could help. Saying no is so difficult at times. I used to feel so guilty saying no, but then I realized that if I said no someone else would say yes and the world wouldn’t end. Basically we’re not that important.

Michelle: Yes, the work will always be there no matter how hard you try to bring the pile down. Much better to pace yourself and not worry about “finishing it all” because there is no end.

Katherine: Exactly! My time with my bf is infinitely more rewarding than sitting in front of the computer working. The trick is in finding the balance.

Janet: It’s amazing how much more accommodating people are towards us than we are to ourselves. Clients understand the need to take a vacation. They take vacations, so why not you? We’re no so important as to be indispensable.

Andy: You got it – I believe our whole culture is on a speeding train. The current ‘crisis’ is an indication that we’re running out of fuel (literally!) but no one wants to apply the brakes (instead we just throw more fuel into the fire – i.e. bailout money). I’m a fan of steady state economics myself – it would benefit everyone and allow for scenery enjoyment.

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post…Why cleaning is more interesting than writing

By: From the Desk of Janet Barclay » Blog Archive » Who Wants to Take a Vacation?

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:30:30 +0000

[...] week, Alex Fayle wrote a brilliant piece on a similar subject, called Is Your Life a Runaway Train? If there’s any doubt in your mind that you need a break, this is a must [...]

By: Andy@no carb foods

Andy@no carb foods — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:05:06 +0000
Alex, thanks for the eye opener this morning. I now exactly what you mean about the train. I am going to be 50 this year and I don't have a clue where the last 20 years went except to say I have been doing everything I can to keep my train (the family) on track. It seems like every year it is harder and harder to keep the same speed up let alone get ahead. I think these economic times will force a lot of us to really look at what track we are on and how many cars we are willing to pull. It has become physically and financially impossible to keep up with the schedules we have set for ourselves and I don't think that is really a bad thing. We need to get to a simpler lifestyle not only for us but also for our dieing planet. Both we and Earth can't continue to sustain these maddening lifestyles. Thanks for the train analogy. It really puts things in perspective. Andy@no carb foods´s last blog post...No Carb Food For Dieting