Don’t be in-between. When we work, we should work extraordinarily hard and be extra focused. And then, when we stop working, we should stop working. No checking email, no making plans for new ventures on the restaurant napkin, no talking about work and stressful obligations, etc…
Our brains need the rest and, while sprinting and resting make us stronger, constantly running at a middle churning speed is stress that squeezes us like a grape. We end up imploding.
Figure out a routine at the end of your work hours and stick to that shutdown time. Give yourself the rest or await a burnout that consumes your ability to get things done.
It can be tricky, but we must make every effort to be either on or off.