How many hours is an optimal work week? And how much do you put in?
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Well, I guess I didn't exp[lain myself very well, either. If you're having a good a time, should you stop? What about if you're getting paid to have a good time? Why should I put a time limit on my enjoyment? Do you think I accomplish less while having a good time for an extended period of time? In other words, if I'm getting paid to enjoy myself, why should I even worry about whether there's an optimal time?
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
Do you have children Walt? I used to think like you but once I had children aka I had to change my way of thinking. Nanny's go home and I need to be there if my wife is busy with something etc. I also owe it to them to spend time with them. I guess it's easy to not put a time limit on "work" if that's the thing you enjoy most and have no other responsibilities. When you have other things you have to do that luxury goes away unfortunately and you have to start budgeting your time appropriately. Sean
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Do you have children Walt? I used to think like you but once I had children aka I had to change my way of thinking. Nanny's go home and I need to be there if my wife is busy with something etc. I also owe it to them to spend time with them. I guess it's easy to not put a time limit on "work" if that's the thing you enjoy most and have no other responsibilities. When you have other things you have to do that luxury goes away unfortunately and you have to start budgeting your time appropriately. Sean
stiphy31 wrote:
Do you have children Walt?
3 children, 4 step children, 18 grand children. I was a single father and raised my 3 children alone. I never said anything about shirking responsibilities. Shame on anyone who does that! But most of the problem usually boils down to time management. I put in a lot of hours while my kids were sleeping and at school, but I was home with them every evening, and normally all weekend, etc. Later I started my own business and put in many, many hours, but they were older and I worked from home. My youngest daughter was my secretary while she was going to the university.
stiphy31 wrote:
and you have to start budgeting your time appropriately.
If most people cut out all the wasted time, they'd have time for all the important things.
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
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stiphy31 wrote:
Do you have children Walt?
3 children, 4 step children, 18 grand children. I was a single father and raised my 3 children alone. I never said anything about shirking responsibilities. Shame on anyone who does that! But most of the problem usually boils down to time management. I put in a lot of hours while my kids were sleeping and at school, but I was home with them every evening, and normally all weekend, etc. Later I started my own business and put in many, many hours, but they were older and I worked from home. My youngest daughter was my secretary while she was going to the university.
stiphy31 wrote:
and you have to start budgeting your time appropriately.
If most people cut out all the wasted time, they'd have time for all the important things.
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
I have 2 boys under the age of 3, wasted time is not really something I have the luxury of these days! I am going to guess your children are grown now (18 grandchildren, wow!) and imagine the reclaimed time is a nice thing to have. The time "drain" of these two little ones (and the sleep drain) definitely changed my outlook on work a bit. I used to be a "work til its done" kind of guy but now it's more "work until the babies wake up" like you said. I find it hard to get things done this way and am still adjusting. Development to me has always been a momentum game, when in the zone don't stop. Now I am forced to stop which has been a difficult adjustment. Sean
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GStrad wrote:
Don't you use any fiddle for productive hours
In this company I used to work at years ago, an engineer friend of mine, Chuck Ross, used the "Ross Rule of PI" - multiply every time estimate by 3.14. He would usually be right--between software, hardware, and actual equipment manufacturing (the company made low light, multispectral, and high speed (at that time) cameras), he was usually right! Marc
Actually, 3.14 is a schedule multiplier, for running around in a circle.
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Actually, 3.14 is a schedule multiplier, for running around in a circle.
James Lonero wrote:
Actually, 3.14 is a schedule multiplier, for running around in a circle.
:laugh: Marc
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First of all, it depends on which side of the fence you are. If you are a driven entrepreneur it can probably go up to 80 hours a week. Also if you work for a financial institution like in Wall Street or a big law firm that number also stands. On the other hand, if you are an employee there is a chance your work week is around 40 hours per week. I've heard that the optimal work week is around 40 - 50 per week, and that if you consistently put around 80 you can develop traumas. In any case, how much hours do you put in and what do you think is optimal?
I'm at my job about 45 hours a week on average and get paid for 40. Except for a minimal amount of time per day I'm "working" the whole time. Much of the "work" is administrative (meetings, paperwork, timekeeping), helping others with problems they can't solve, and fiddling with server stuff. I consider it a good job if I am at a place where I can get in 20+ hours of "real work" (i.e. programming/learning) per week. Optimal depends on the circumstances - at previous jobs I have been pushed to make artificial deadlines and I find that really demoralizing, really quickly. If I feel like I should have done something faster and I'm catching up 'on my own time' the longer hours don't bother me as much or as soon.
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Do you have children Walt? I used to think like you but once I had children aka I had to change my way of thinking. Nanny's go home and I need to be there if my wife is busy with something etc. I also owe it to them to spend time with them. I guess it's easy to not put a time limit on "work" if that's the thing you enjoy most and have no other responsibilities. When you have other things you have to do that luxury goes away unfortunately and you have to start budgeting your time appropriately. Sean
I'll second that. Kids, wife, boat, farm, whatever. If you have more than one thing in life, then you "have to" (want to?) manage the time you spend on each of them. In my last gig we had a couple of in-house jokes In our group we had "Work balance" (instead of work-life balance) We had 2 casual dress work days per week. Saturday and Sunday In my current gig, neither of the above apply. The team is happier, more productive, way more pleasant to work with, and getting comparable results. (And I get to spend time with the kids, wife & boat) Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it.
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I always make sure my contract exactly defines the worling hours and that's what I work; no more, no less, no argumnet. If they want more and are willing to pay then no problem. What I can't abide are employers that sign a contract stating the hours and then expect you to work extra fro nothing. Try getting a plumber or lawyer to do 2 more hours and not expect to get paid. It's called taking the piss.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me