It can be difficult to leave your workplace and simply forget about it, especially if you are an administrative or managerial person; someone's schedule is always in the back of your mind. However, that kind of mind-set can take a toll on you, your family and your friends. While it is not necessary, and may be impossible, to totally forget your job once you leave your place of business, you should be able to give your full attention to something more personal.

Are you one of those people who always worries about your work, even on your day off? There is nothing wrong with loving your job or being a good employee, but know that you do need some time for yourself.

Is there someone in your office who simply has to leave the office on Thursday or a particular day, no matter what is going on in the office? While, you may not want to take this tactic you may want to make plans to meet your friends or mate the same day every week after work for dinner. Plan for your life outside of your work place. Is there a particular craft you enjoy or want to learn? Take time to do that. Libraries and museums offer more than books and art, check them, get on their mailing lists. Whatever you decide to do, know that you owe it to yourself to have a good and well rounded life. If you join a group that meets on a regular basis, commit to attending the meetings and becoming an active member.

You may have noticed that there are some co-workers who are never asked to work overtime on a particular day. Most likely everyone knows her or his schedule. By casual conversation, let people in your office know that you have standing plans.

Use your vacation time. While it is great to take long weekends, you also need some real get-away time. Make some solid plans for a vacation.

Perhaps there a reason or reasons you stay long hours after others have left the building. Sometimes people come in early, stay late or neglect their vacations days because they are afraid to be out of the office.

I learned a lesson that stayed with me. One morning I was chatting with a woman ( a stranger) about how tight my time was at my office, I explained I often ate lunch at my desk to squeeze in extra time to work. She listened, then said, "MMmm, I am sure your boss goes out and enjoys his lunch." Now I had a great boss, he never asked me to stay at my desk and work during my lunch hour. However, it was not until I spoke of my work day out loud did I realize that I had created this problem.

My advice? Whatever your reason for not letting go, it may be time to take a close look at your life and be honest-do you have a life outside of work?