As a practice owner, you likely believe your firm deserves your undivided attention. This devotion can have its benefits—it challenges you, keeps you engaged with your business, clients and staff, you learn new things and are able to make a difference to people’s lives.

But just like a car, going full speed without refueling will result in a breakdown. You’ll fizzle out, and potentially lose the passion that’s been driving you. And all your relationships—professional and personal—will suffer.

Taking the time to disconnect and focus on the little things will help to refresh your mind. You’ll notice increases in your productivity, an enhanced ability to problem solve, and boosts to your energy-levels.

But it’s not easy to jump off the merry-go-round. Here are some simple tips to help you take that first step.

Tips to break the 'always-on' cycle

1. Turn off notifications.

One of the most impactful actions you can take when breaking the cycle is to snooze your notifications—even just for a set period of time each day is enough.

2. Use time-blocking.

Clearly define your day in time blocks. Use your calendar to allocate certain hours to certain tasks—including your down time. This will help clearly define your ‘on’ time vs. your ‘off’ time.

3. Declutter your tech stack.

How many different apps—both work and personal—do you currently have? The more apps you have, the more notifications you'll get (or feel that you'll miss), the more screens to check, the more data to get lost in.

How can you declutter your tech? Understand what information you actually need to view, and remove everything else. If it’s not serving a direct and impactful purpose, then it’s not adding value.

4. Reconsider the value you place on always being busy.

If your default state is to take pride in always being ‘on’, consider why that is. If it’s because it gives you the feeling of success, you may need to rethink how you define success completely.

Perhaps you may shift its meaning or value on how well you’re able to balance your professional and personal lives.

5. Reset your expectations.

Take a step back and assess what is reasonable. What are reasonable expectations for your own working hours, downtime, family time, etc.?

If you’re struggling to be objective, think about what would be reasonable for a loved one. Would you expect them to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week? Or would you expect a healthier work-life balance?

Are you ready to break the cycle?

Being 'always-on' isn't something to celebrate. It's not a badge of honor.

If you're currently struggling, whether personally or professionally—and if you're always on, it's probably both—it's time to rethink your habits. What can you do differently? Where can you pull back?

You don't have to completely alter your life to break the 'always-on' cycle, but you can make small changes that will have major benefits to your mental health, productivity and relationships.

If you can only start with one strategy to break the cycle—don’t be discouraged. Begin with the one strategy, and see the merry-go-round begin to slow down.