80+ Hour Week and lack there of…

I recently read a post [linked below] that discussed “How to work 80+ Hour Week.” Not only would I highly recommend read the post but also brush up on the “Cliffs Notes” version of the “4 Hour Work Week.” Essentially, the book describes ways to optimize your time, produce a business with reoccurring revenues, and outsourcing various parts of your life.  Some parts I agree with, but most are too fanciful and idealistic.  As alluded to in the linked post, you need to do what you love.  If you love sleeping late and not working, then maybe starting up the next YouTube or Facebook isn’t for you.  I guess it all depends on one’s definition of success.

I am from the breed that believes that the quality of work outweighs the quantity of work (speaking specifically to hours).  I would rather spend 1 hour coding, designing, etc. then 5 hours producing something subpar.  This belief comes with a catch and that is to put quality work into those 5 hours, 40 hours, 80+ hour weeks.  Yes, it seems impossible at times and immensely difficult.  Physically there is no way to maintain “optimal quality of work” for prolonged periods of time just as a runner cannot run a 2 mile at a speed of a 100m sprinter.  The goal is to get the very most out of yourself when you are working.  When you begin to slip, one need to be cognizant enough to refocus their efforts and continue on.

The emphasis on quality of work is important.  Through my experience in New York, people put in ridiculous amounts of hours into there work (100+ hour work weeks aren’t all that rare).  Some do it out of necessity; others out of the shear lack of putting in quality time to work and running through the motions of the day.  I easily put in 80 hours of work into my internship (and I don’t get paid for working past 40 hours per week).  When I am slowing down or realize that I’m not producing quality work, I know its time for me to take a small break.  I’ve made a list of things I do in order to help refocus my attention and get back to performing quality work:

1. Simply get up, walk around, talk to people/teammates/fellow interns.  As simple as this sounds, the small change in environment helps clear your mind.  

2. Get physical!  Go to the gym for an hour, run, swim, play a game of basketball.  I’ve been going to the gym during lunch to get a good workout in and once I return to my desk I’m clear headed and ready to start.  Sometimes getting your body moving and exercising is the best cure to focusing on work.

3. Take 10 minutes to grab some food/drink.  Many people will swear by the craze of “Energy Drinks,” but if you care about your health and possibly dying of a heart attack at 25 (lol), I would recommend eating fresh fruits or having a smoothie/tea.  Natural food/drinks are not only much healthier but also contain natural sugar/caffeine to get you through the day.  If you’re used to drinking energy drinks, the slight amount of a boost you’ll receive from eating healthy will be pretty insignificant.  Try to ween yourself off of them and make healthier food choices.  It will pay off in the end when you are eating healthy, feeling better, and are more productive throughout your day.

Alluding to the second part of the title: “… and lack there of.”  All too often do I see people that work a lot less, produce less meaningful work, and are perfectly fine going through the motions of their current job.  I don’t think that working 80+ hours a week is for everyone.  Like I’ve said before, “It depends on your personal definition of success.”  To be perfectly honest, it is okay to work 40 hours per week (or even less) if you can survive and do what you truly love.  That style of living is more inline with the 4 Hour Work Week.  I can’t imagine my life without something on my list of “Things To Do”.  It keeps me occupied and always awaiting the next project.  

Take away point: Focus on quality rather than quantity of work.  Once you have quality, you can find ways to keep your endurance up and maintain better work habits.

Reference: 

http://jtame05.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/how-to-work-80-hour-weeks/