Why I Need A 16 Hour Work Day
Often, I gripe about being behind on my work and how I have so
much to do. I'm not unique in this, we all do it. It's just part
of human nature. What's funny about it, however, is when I take
a close look at the real reasons why I am behind and overworked.
Typically, I work a 16 hour day. Yes, my work day is 16 hours,
minus the distractions that is. After the distraction time is
removed from that 16 hours, who knows how much time is left for
actual work.
I know, let's figure it out. Here is a quick list of some of
those distractions and the approximate time they cost me.
"Honey Come Here" -- This distraction consists of opening jars,
getting things down off the high shelves, walking all the way to
the other end of the house to hand something to my wife that was
only 4 feet from where she was seated in the first place, fixing
things, explaining what I'm doing, running off door to door
salesmen, and giving kisses.
Time Lost: 2 hours
"Honey Where Are You?" -- This consists of me looking for my
wife so I can flirt with her and occasionally... well, that's
none of your business.
Time Lost: 1 hour (or so)
"Honey! They're not listening to me!" -- This is time spent
being the global superpower that backs up all of Mom's
threatening statements to the kids.
Time Lost: 1 hour
"Dad!" -- This consists of stopping fights, taking away sharp
objects, explaining why rooms must be cleaned, helping with
homework, stopping fights, holding down body parts while Mom
digs out slivers, getting down cups, hiding or throwing away
markers and glue, and stopping fights.
Time Lost: 1.5 hours
Sweaty Rump -- During the rare occasion that I'm left alone to
work for a long period of time, sometimes I just need to stand
up and 'air' out.
Time Lost: 15 minutes to 2 hours (depending on what else
distracts me while I'm up.)
Hunger -- What? I can't just sit there and never want food!
Time Lost: 1 hour (hey, sometimes I can eat a lot.)
Phone Calls -- Every time I sit down at the computer, apparently
it's a signal for my wife and kids to want to call someone. I
guess I should just spend the money and put in another phone
line, but they would probably just take that one over, too.
Time Lost: 1 hour
Fatigue -- This is an interesting phenomenon as well. I can run
all day taking care of other things or playing around and feel
just fine. Then, as soon as I spend 10 minutes sitting in front
of the computer, I'm tired.
Time Lost: 2 hours
"It's OK, I'm the Boss" -- I've used this excuse with myself to
take time off WAY too many times.
Time Lost: 2 hours
Movies -- I like movies. Even with the TV going in a separate
room, they still tempt me. Of course, if the kids wouldn't have
the volume up to 90 decibels, it might not be such a problem.
Time Lost: 2 hours
Now, here's the catch. If I was working at a regular job how
many of these excuses would fly? You guessed it, NONE!
So, what am I going to do about it? Since I am the boss, does
this mean I have to fire myself?
Well, so far, my answer to the problem has been the 16 hour work
day. I plan a 16 hour work day, thereby allowing enough time for
all the distractions. So how much time do those distractions
take?
According to what I listed above, about 14 hours. That leaves
only 2 hours for real work.
Well, next time you see an ad for a home business claiming you
only have to work a few hours a week, now you'll know why.
Because that's all that's really possible anyway!