Working too much isn't a way to live

I read this post from Gus Perez, and to be honest I'm still shocked every time I read something like this.

Maybe Gus sees work differently than I do (and no offense to Gus, as he's obviously a cut above most employees), but I can't understand people who are OK with the dusk-till-dawn work lifestyle. No job I've ever had was that important to me. I generally hope to derive some pleasure from working, sure, but the center of my life at least is family (well, my wife anyway), hobbies and such.

That's probably the thing that has kept me from really going all out to be 100% independent. At the end of the day, the job doesn't matter the most. It seems that only Americans miss this point. That's a weird cultural phenomenon too, because although we allegedly work harder and work more than our European and Japanese counterparts, we still trail behind in certain markets.

What's important to you?

6 Comments

  • Unfortunately, it's all too common in the technology industry that we're expected to work massive overtime. Whoever came up with that idea needs their ass whooped. Occasionally it's ok, but if you consistently have to work 50 hour weeks to get your job done, then there is something wrong with the way your business is being run.

  • Sounds like you're not a geeky kind of person ;)

  • All I can say - we live in a fairly free world, if you don't like to work too hard just move to France, where you're only allowed to work 35 hours a week. It must be great to live there ;) And you can work at all those great French software houses...

  • I, like most normal people, value things other than just work. To do otherwise, is clearly disfunctional and represents a skewed value system.

  • I've been wrestling with my thoughts on this for a while. I know what I should be doing but the route is not obvious.



  • I think some people just have more energy than others. I am a runner, and have competed in olympic distance triathlons as well as 30 mile trail runs. I actually think it is fun. You have to enjoy that feeling of total exertion. Some people think it's crazy to run 30 miles on a trail, but others don't stop at thirty... they go on for 100 miles. It's all relative to your energy level. It is from this frame of mind that I write the following.

    It is possible to work 60-70 hours a week and still have time for your wife and kids. That is if you only need about four hours of sleep a night, and don't mind staying up 24 hrs. at least once a week. You really do get used to it. It's not for everyone though. Some people just can't take it. I am 39 y/o and have been doing it for a couple of years now, and it has become easier over time. This allows me to make 100,000 + a year and still enjoy my family. believe it or not, I still have time to go camping and waterskiing in the summer. Most of my overtime shifts are from 11 pm to 7am, and regular shifts are 12 hrs.(rotating days and nights) It really helps to stay fit. We have a fitness room with weights and cardio equipment where I work. If I can sneak in at least three workouts a week (usually about one hour and fifteen minutes each) I feel great. I know that someday I will have to slow down or might burn-out, but for now it's working out great.

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