How much time do you spend thinking about and at work?

Question

For example.

I wake up at 5:30AM. I think about work, what I'll eat and wear. I get off at 5PM. When I make it home, I think about the day...and then I make sure I get my stuff ready for work.

I spend about 16 hours a day away from my family, because my mind is on work, or I'm at work..be it driving there, working there or thinking about it.

Does anyone else think that this is insane?
Shouldn't I be at home with my family?
If all American's are doing this...who is raising our children and what values are they instilling in them...

thank you (first poster). I'm not really stressed any more. I think I was just trying to bring attention to the fact that we spend so much time away from those we truly love...I'm glad you got the point though!

Isn't it funny how a child can change everything? My son did the same for me. I'm now in a business that allows me to prepare for my future, and not spend too much time away from my family.

Answer 1

Not as much as you but it is more than the eight hours I actually get paid for. Every minute you spend away from your family either at work or elsewhere should be paid.

Answer 2

You sound stressed out with your work (may be the understatement of these postings). I, too, suffered from this when there are deadlines, manuscript submissions, experiments to do, paper reviews, etc. I spent at least 12 hours a day at work, 6 days a week, and when I got home I was connected to my work computer until past midnight. On my way to and from work, I was on the phone with my group, or with collaborators. I even wake up in the middle of the night thinking about work, and of course I get back on the computer.

This all changed when my daughter was born 4 months ago. I had the entire pregnancy to prepare for it, and tried to wean off of my "work-mode" mentality. I give myself a determined work day (7:00 am to 5:00 pm.). I try to leave my work at work, and when I get home, I give my ENTIRE attention to my wife and my daughter. With this focus and different mentality, I found that I sleep a lot better, I am much happier (at work and with life in general), and my work has actually gotten more efficient because I am focused to get my work done before I left for home. I don't even watch as much television as before.

My only advice is to just focus on your priorities. Leave work at work. Your family is your home, so when you are at home spend time with your family. When I find that I lose myself with work, I try to remind myself to "Work at work, not at home." You can make that your mantra, too, if it will help.

(By the way, I am in California, which is one of the most work-oriented places in the U.S.)

Answer 3

Get a life. I get up 4am every morning and get home about 7pm every day. The last thing on my mind is work. If you don't change your family will suffer.