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If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

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Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#41

Why do you suppose that people don't enjoy working 70 hours a week? My dad regularly worked 70 hour weeks - had multiple careers doctor/businessman/public figure. But he had a ton of help - manager, personal assistant, chauffeur. Everything on the home front was outsourced. He loved it. But he had a lot of control. Most people, I observe who burn out, do because of other reasons - work politics, poor health and ultim…

How was your time with your Father? Or do you regret that his career got in the way of your relationship?

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#42

Why do you suppose that people don't enjoy working 70 hours a week? My dad regularly worked 70 hour weeks - had multiple careers doctor/businessman/public figure. But he had a ton of help - manager, personal assistant, chauffeur. Everything on the home front was outsourced. He loved it. But he had a lot of control. Most people, I observe who burn out, do because of other reasons - work politics, poor health and ultim…

Most people don't enjoy working 70 hours a week.

Interesting.

A lot of the "so successful" have a TON of help. At the home front things are covered - stay at home wife, cleaners etc. You come home, home cooked meal, wife happy to hang out go on a walk do whatever, kids taken care of.

You go to work, you have the parking spot, the assistant with a schedule. Strong managers.

Again, these are the "so successful" folks.

The 70 hours of work is mostly meetings, strategy, bouncing ideas off people you got to hire to work with. It's not terrible

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#43
post #38

Because I know what it means to work a 40hour shitty job. And I mean shitty. As in fill paint cans and inhale paint fumes all week shitty. I mean crawl into a conveyor belt that's stuck, use a torch to heat it up and a sledgehammer to straighten it shitty. That I'm now able to what I do and earn what I earn, to me, is like a miracle and I enjoy every minute of it.

I empathize with your sentiment.. I checked out of IT-related work in my 20's, and the moment I checked back in was sitting on the floor of a production welding shop, impact drilling holes through plate steel. I had this moment of clarity when I realized that however "unhappy" IT made me, it wasn't nearly as miserable as the alternative I had stumbled into.

Or as my dad put it: better to work with your head than your hands, isn't it son?

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#44
post #32

Because I'm not nearly as good at any hobbies as much as I'm good at my job and being good at something is what gives me day-to-day satisfaction. Having a high wage but not enough stored wealth to feel invincible against an increasingly uncertain future, I'm spending more time feeling good about work than finding and investing in a hobby that'll make me truly happy.

It's debatable then whether you're really successful, no?

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#45

Why do you suppose that people don't enjoy working 70 hours a week? My dad regularly worked 70 hour weeks - had multiple careers doctor/businessman/public figure. But he had a ton of help - manager, personal assistant, chauffeur. Everything on the home front was outsourced. He loved it. But he had a lot of control. Most people, I observe who burn out, do because of other reasons - work politics, poor health and ultim…

Most people don't enjoy working 70 hours a week.

I think you’re saying it but…

You mean working for your employer 70 hours a week, right?

As for me, I make it a point to give my employers what they’re paying for, but nothing extra. I spend a lot of extra time each week performing “work” for myself. Whether it be home improvement or side projects.

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#46
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd much rather spend time with the people I love in life before I die than the abstract busyness known as "work". But that may just be just me.

Calling work "abstract busyness" devalues workers.

Then stop training workers in valueless things like agile PM or Product mgmt

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#47
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd much rather spend time with the people I love in life before I die than the abstract busyness known as "work". But that may just be just me.

Calling work "abstract busyness" devalues workers.

It's abstract busyness if those workers don't have a significant stake in the businesses they're keeping afloat, as they aren't among the owners who are made wealthy from their abstracted labor.

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#49
post #32

Because I'm not nearly as good at any hobbies as much as I'm good at my job and being good at something is what gives me day-to-day satisfaction. Having a high wage but not enough stored wealth to feel invincible against an increasingly uncertain future, I'm spending more time feeling good about work than finding and investing in a hobby that'll make me truly happy.

> Having a high wage but not enough stored wealth to feel invincible against an increasingly uncertain future Hate to be the one to tell you this, but there is no guarantee on what the future may bring, money can't fix everything, and true security is a lie. Live your life in the here and now, before you regret wasting it.

I read the comment to be working hard is what brings satisfaction. Some people really enjoy hard work and aren't doing it just as a means to afford leisure.

Re: If You’re So Successful, Why Are You Still Working 70 Hours a Week?

#50
post #32

Because I'm not nearly as good at any hobbies as much as I'm good at my job and being good at something is what gives me day-to-day satisfaction. Having a high wage but not enough stored wealth to feel invincible against an increasingly uncertain future, I'm spending more time feeling good about work than finding and investing in a hobby that'll make me truly happy.

> Having a high wage but not enough stored wealth to feel invincible against an increasingly uncertain future Hate to be the one to tell you this, but there is no guarantee on what the future may bring, money can't fix everything, and true security is a lie. Live your life in the here and now, before you regret wasting it.

Exactly. If society were to fall apart, the number in your bank account will matter very little, if it even exists anymore...
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