Why work so hard?

Despite my best intentions, I've been letting the number of hours I work each day creep past the 8 hour mark. I did fairly well for a couple of months, but as the end of an academic year approaches, I find myself working later and later to stay somewhat abreast of my work load.

Yesterday found me, after the long holiday weekend, putting in a 12 hour day. It was a straight 12 with no break for lunch or really any breaks at all. It's amazing how many emails pile up in my inbox when I am away, even for only two days. Yesterday when I left work, I had not even made it through all of my emails, probably because I had to attend four meetings (thankfully the fifth was canceled).

Today I was determined to get through the bulk of the unopened emails, the majority of which required responses to the senders. I arrived at work at about 7:40 a.m. and it was 9:36 p.m. when I left. I did take just over an hour for lunch today, so I worked about 13 hours today.

Given that I work for a public institution in which there are no merit increases or promotions looming, and my position is exempt from overtime pay, I have to ask myself why I work so hard. Additionally, there are times I am certain that my hard work is not appreciated by those around me, so what gives? I think there are multiple layers to the answer, such as:

• My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic; I believe in doing an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.
• I perhaps think I work faster than I do, because I always believe it will take just a few minutes to "get one more thing done" before I leave for the day.
• My current work load demands more than 40 hours a week in order for it to be manageable.
• I have always been willing to do what needs to be done, until it is all done. This doesn't really work when I can't ever actually complete my "to do" list, but I try!
• Uhm, working is better than exercising? Hhhm, I know it is not better than playing racquetball, but maybe there is something to that theory.

Once again, I will remind myself that when the end of my time on this earth comes, should I be in a position to reflect on my life, I will feel best about the time spent with my family and friends, not sitting at my desk at work!