might sound like a retarded question, but you so often hear about people working late, missing family events, working on holidays etc.

why? does working those few extra hours make all the difference? does the boss make people do it? is it "for the family" like make more money to provide for them, but screw them over by not spending quality time with them? or maybe just pure ambition, like they think if they get a little bit more money or better title, life would be better?

 

I worked 80 to 90 hours a week for over 20 years and I'm not sure I would do it again, I missed too much.

My wife was just downsized out of a job by a company she'd put in over 80 hours a week for for nearly 13 years. She was never able to be home on holidays because she had to be helping out in one of the com

I think if either put in that kind of hours again it will be for ourselves, not some big company.

 

You do what the job requires. For anyone that's involved with a creative process, design, accounting, etc, etc.. you have to put in the hours to get the job done on time. If that requires working past 40 hours/week, then you work past 40 hours/week. If you don't work to deadlines, then you work extra hours to get ahead of the next guy, because he will be putting in the extra hours to get ahead of you.

 

Sometimes it's because doing a better job with a deadline takes more hours of work.

It's like saying, why put in 40 hours for a book report or a 60 hours for a speech? Or 1000 hours preparing for a recital or a sporting competition.

Sometimes you want to be as prepared as possible.

And in some fields, spending a few extra hours can really mean a lot to the customer. Giving up your TV / Playstation time to really help someone out doesn't seem too silly.

If you worked for a nonprofit and your job was to have a successful fundraising event next week, you might put in extra time and give up some personal "party" time in order to maximize the impact of the event.

 

people have a responsibility to do the job. And if you are salaried, you owe more than 40 hours - that's just how that works.

Also, what's the big deal? Striving is what accomplishes things. How do you raise a child to work hard and respect the things that hard work accomplishes if their parents don't make it clear that sacrifices are part of life?

 

whoa, starting to get defensive much?

the point of this being that for people who "sacrifice" and miss out of what they might later look back and label in hind sight as the "important" stuff, why do they think that the work is so important at the time?

 

dyhppy, this is great to see how people respond here.

I work hard and so does my wife. We are well respected in our occupations. However, we both feel that the amount of time we spend together is just as important. Some people that feel they have to work so hard just have an inferiority complex.

The reason I work is to make sure that my family has what it needs to live comfortably and enjoy ourselves. I am not comfortable, nor am I enjoying myself if I am dedicating my life to work instead of my family.

 

It's all about balance young man.

Tell me if any successful person you know has or does not put in long hours.

You just have to decide what's important to you and do it the way that works best for you. Sometimes you may not make the right decision, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

my reason for working super hard, and missing every holiday is for my children. I'm not even married or have kids, but when I do I want them to have a fair shot at life. I practically grew up in poverty. I have always been an outgoing person with many hobbies. I'm into practically everything, and always have been. Did I get a fair shot at what I wanted to do in life, NO. Now I work my ass off, and make countless sacrifices, so my kids can have whatever they want.

Everyone has their own motivating reasons.

oh, and I forgot to mention that I'm a materialistic bastard. I want a mansion, and a million dollars in cars...and after my thirties, I don't really wanna work. I just want to travel, and enjoy life. Like this bitch I'm talking to now. who probably thinks she's more person than me, because she's well traveled...

 

I work horrendous hours [I'm at work right now] and every holiday so that I can live a comfortable life later. When I'm 30 and hopefully married, I want to still live a comfortable life, not paycheck to paycheck. Instead of partying and travelling when I'm in my early 20's, I'd rather start my career now and reap the benefits later.

....And i'm also a materialistic bastard. I wanna take my Lamborghini Gallardo through Italy and Switzerland. Top Gear anyone?