Mike Ellis
TDR MEMBER
Balance it Carefully Boys
Up until a couple years ago, I put in average of 50-55 hours a week for my whole working career. I was there early, stayed late, figured I was on salary to get the job done and I honestly enjoyed it. Didn't feel too guilty when I decided to take a long lunch to go look at guns and stuff every couple of months, my time log shows thousands of unpaid hours of OT.
After I had some medical problems, I had to reassess what the day-in and day-out accumulation of stress was doing to me. I now average about 45 hours a week, not nearly as wrapped up in my job as I used to be. Lost some good coworkers over the years to early deaths, really makes you stop and think. It's a sad sight to see somebody pass on or commit suicide, having been really wrapped up in their job and career, and then watch security come pack up his work life in a couple of small cardboard boxes and carry them away - in a few days, there is someone new in that spot, doing that job, and the company keeps rolling right along. A friend of mine died the day after Thanksgiving from a massive heart attack, he was only 52 years old and his family is devastated without him.
Remember what Nowell said fellas, he was pretty smart. Life will go on without you whether you notice or not, and when you head off to meet your maker you won't be wishing you had put in more hours at the office or the plant!
THIS AIN'T NO PRACTICE LIFE
Up until a couple years ago, I put in average of 50-55 hours a week for my whole working career. I was there early, stayed late, figured I was on salary to get the job done and I honestly enjoyed it. Didn't feel too guilty when I decided to take a long lunch to go look at guns and stuff every couple of months, my time log shows thousands of unpaid hours of OT.
After I had some medical problems, I had to reassess what the day-in and day-out accumulation of stress was doing to me. I now average about 45 hours a week, not nearly as wrapped up in my job as I used to be. Lost some good coworkers over the years to early deaths, really makes you stop and think. It's a sad sight to see somebody pass on or commit suicide, having been really wrapped up in their job and career, and then watch security come pack up his work life in a couple of small cardboard boxes and carry them away - in a few days, there is someone new in that spot, doing that job, and the company keeps rolling right along. A friend of mine died the day after Thanksgiving from a massive heart attack, he was only 52 years old and his family is devastated without him.
Remember what Nowell said fellas, he was pretty smart. Life will go on without you whether you notice or not, and when you head off to meet your maker you won't be wishing you had put in more hours at the office or the plant!
THIS AIN'T NO PRACTICE LIFE