We’ve all had those days. You sit down with your coffee at 8:00 AM, dive into a project, and suddenly it’s 3:00 PM. You’re stiff, your eyes are tired. Despite being a “solo” professional, you realize you haven’t actually engaged with the outside world all day.
I call it the Desk Trap. 🪑
Whether you love the work or you’re just staring down a mile-long to-do list, it’s easy to forget that your business needs a leader who is actually refreshed, not just ‘available.’ Lately, I’ve had to get intentional about how I protect that energy.
🏃♀️ Finding an Accountability Ally
Recently, during a monthly Zoom call with a group of fellow small business owners, one attendee shared how they were starting to feel “stuck” at home. They realized they were rarely leaving their house for lunch or even just a change of scenery.
It was a total “me too” moment. The Desk Trap turned out to be far more common than I imagined, even for those of us who love what we do. That conversation was the nudge I needed. I reached out afterward, and we decided to become accountability allies with one specific goal:
Make sure we both actually leave our desks.
Now, we reach out to each other periodically to ensure we’re taking that walk, or even just grabbing a cup of tea away from the glow of the monitor.
This “check-out” looks different for everyone. For me, it’s grabbing my pool cues and heading to the pool hall. There is a unique kind of quiet that happens at the pool table. It’s one of the very few places where the external world disappears and my only job is to focus on the next shot, not the next ten emails or a mounting to-do list. I always return to my desk re-energized and focused.
Knowing someone is going to ask, “Did you dedicate some reset time this week?” changed my entire mindset.
It turned “taking a break” into a scheduled commitment, rather than a luxury I had to earn.
☕ The Simple Power of the Pivot
But I’ve learned that breaking the Desk Trap doesn’t always mean shutting down the laptop. Sometimes, it’s just about a change of scenery. You might find that moving from your office to a local cafe for an hour or two completely shifts your energy.
💡 Clear the distractions: The different light and the background hum can turn a mounting task into a finished one.
🌳 Fresh perspective: It’s about changing the environment so you don’t feel stagnant. Whether it’s a park bench or a favorite coffee shop, a new view often leads to a fresh workflow.
✨ How a Collaborative Partner (Like Me!) Fits In
As a Virtual Assistant, I spend a lot of time organizing systems and managing CRMs. But the real value I provide to my clients is space.
By handling the logistics that keep you tethered to your desk, I help you build a business that doesn’t require you to be “on” 24/7.
Whether it’s managing your schedule so you actually have a lunch break or being the partner who keeps your projects on track so you don’t have to tackle it all alone, I’m here to make sure you can show up as your best, most refreshed self.
💬 P.S. I’m curious 🤔: What does your Desk Trap look like? Maybe it’s the “just one more email” loop or simply forgetting to eat lunch.
Leave a comment below and let me know: How you make sure you’re stepping away to show up as your best self. I’d love to hear your favorite routine (or if you’re still looking for one!). 👇
What I’m Loving Lately
My desk trap is my mind. Too overloaded and too blocked to do anything about it. I’m taking off to New Mexico next week to decompress. I love the idea of an accountability buddy “to step away”. It seems I have one for everything else. :0)
Hi Jolene,
The struggle is real! I have heard from may who are experiencing the same thing, so you definitely are not alone! I may create a small accountability group, specifically for this! Once that is sorted out, I can keep you posted. Have a great time in New Mexico! -Erin