Why are some people seemingly addicted to 'hard graft'
Discussion
As per the tittle really, I've encountered lots of these characters over the years, there may even be some on here, but likely you won't have time to post!
Some examples
About 10 years ago I was working as a front line Engineer repairing and maintaining equipment as part of a team. The job involved working lots of long hours and unsociable hours including weekends.
One guy who I worked with worked every single weekend, 7 days a week, without fail. Maybe taking a Sunday off every fifth week.
But outside of work the same guy was busy, oh boy was he busy. He'd be up to feed the animals (pigs, goats, sheep etc.) before dawn, then afterwards he was out building fences on the side, growing vegetables and doing general farm work. None of this was for profit, he just liked doing it.
Did all his own car maintenance...
Occasionally, to wind down he would go for a run, not a 5k, or even a 10k, but maybe 30 miles on a Saturday morning.
It gets better... he was 50 years old and had been doing this for years, alongside utter devotion to every aspect of family life (took kids to school/picked them up)
OR
A guy I know who runs a small firm, spends 6 days a week in the office, 6am until 7pm. Micromanaging and getting involved in every aspect of the business. Maybe knocking off about 5pm on a Saturday, and works many Sundays too.
In a similar vein he likes to relax with a 100mile bike ride on a Sunday or takes a holiday to do incredible DIY efforts despite being minted... landscape gardening acres, building granny flats, sheds, garages etc.
They all seem to wake up really early too, even after a few beers, they can get by on 5hrs sleep and be ready to graft like never before.
I'm convinced they will all be dead at 65.
Some examples
About 10 years ago I was working as a front line Engineer repairing and maintaining equipment as part of a team. The job involved working lots of long hours and unsociable hours including weekends.
One guy who I worked with worked every single weekend, 7 days a week, without fail. Maybe taking a Sunday off every fifth week.
But outside of work the same guy was busy, oh boy was he busy. He'd be up to feed the animals (pigs, goats, sheep etc.) before dawn, then afterwards he was out building fences on the side, growing vegetables and doing general farm work. None of this was for profit, he just liked doing it.
Did all his own car maintenance...
Occasionally, to wind down he would go for a run, not a 5k, or even a 10k, but maybe 30 miles on a Saturday morning.
It gets better... he was 50 years old and had been doing this for years, alongside utter devotion to every aspect of family life (took kids to school/picked them up)
OR
A guy I know who runs a small firm, spends 6 days a week in the office, 6am until 7pm. Micromanaging and getting involved in every aspect of the business. Maybe knocking off about 5pm on a Saturday, and works many Sundays too.
In a similar vein he likes to relax with a 100mile bike ride on a Sunday or takes a holiday to do incredible DIY efforts despite being minted... landscape gardening acres, building granny flats, sheds, garages etc.
They all seem to wake up really early too, even after a few beers, they can get by on 5hrs sleep and be ready to graft like never before.
I'm convinced they will all be dead at 65.
It’s an escape for some people. Stops them thinking about how s
t everything is if they never take a break.
For others I think they have to justify making big bucks to themselves. I worked with someone who could charge £2k plus for a job they could do in a couple of hours but they span it out for a day or two. The client never knew or saw the time so it was all for their own peace of mind.
t everything is if they never take a break.For others I think they have to justify making big bucks to themselves. I worked with someone who could charge £2k plus for a job they could do in a couple of hours but they span it out for a day or two. The client never knew or saw the time so it was all for their own peace of mind.
trickywoo said:
It’s an escape for some people. Stops them thinking about how st everything is if they never take a break.
Yep, some people just do not have the ability to turn off. I am not as bad as the guy in the OP, but equally, I can’t go on holiday for 2 weeks and sit by a pool or on the beach, I couldn’t even do it for 2 days, last time we went away was to Lisbon last year, and walked something like 30 miles over the 4 days, which is pretty normal for us.t everything is if they never take a break.Sparkzz said:
As per the tittle really, I've encountered lots of these characters over the years, there may even be some on here, but likely you won't have time to post!
Some examples
About 10 years ago I was working as a front line Engineer repairing and maintaining equipment as part of a team. The job involved working lots of long hours and unsociable hours including weekends.
One guy who I worked with worked every single weekend, 7 days a week, without fail. Maybe taking a Sunday off every fifth week.
But outside of work the same guy was busy, oh boy was he busy. He'd be up to feed the animals (pigs, goats, sheep etc.) before dawn, then afterwards he was out building fences on the side, growing vegetables and doing general farm work. None of this was for profit, he just liked doinlg it.
Did all his own car maintenance...
Occasionally, to wind down he would go for a run, not a 5k, or even a 10k, but maybe 30 miles on a Saturday morning.
It gets better... he was 50 years old and had been doing this for years, alongside utter devotion to every aspect of family life (took kids to school/picked them up)
OR
A guy I know who runs a small firm, spends 6 days a week in the office, 6am until 7pm. Micromanaging and getting involved in every aspect of the business. Maybe knocking off about 5pm on a Saturday, and works many Sundays too.
In a similar vein he likes to relax with a 100mile bike ride on a Sunday or takes a holiday to do incredible DIY efforts despite being minted... landscape gardening acres, building granny flats, sheds, garages etc.
They all seem to wake up really early too, even after a few beers, they can get by on 5hrs sleep and be ready to graft like never before.
I'm convinced they will all be dead at 65.
What do you do to keep busy or relax?Some examples
About 10 years ago I was working as a front line Engineer repairing and maintaining equipment as part of a team. The job involved working lots of long hours and unsociable hours including weekends.
One guy who I worked with worked every single weekend, 7 days a week, without fail. Maybe taking a Sunday off every fifth week.
But outside of work the same guy was busy, oh boy was he busy. He'd be up to feed the animals (pigs, goats, sheep etc.) before dawn, then afterwards he was out building fences on the side, growing vegetables and doing general farm work. None of this was for profit, he just liked doinlg it.
Did all his own car maintenance...
Occasionally, to wind down he would go for a run, not a 5k, or even a 10k, but maybe 30 miles on a Saturday morning.
It gets better... he was 50 years old and had been doing this for years, alongside utter devotion to every aspect of family life (took kids to school/picked them up)
OR
A guy I know who runs a small firm, spends 6 days a week in the office, 6am until 7pm. Micromanaging and getting involved in every aspect of the business. Maybe knocking off about 5pm on a Saturday, and works many Sundays too.
In a similar vein he likes to relax with a 100mile bike ride on a Sunday or takes a holiday to do incredible DIY efforts despite being minted... landscape gardening acres, building granny flats, sheds, garages etc.
They all seem to wake up really early too, even after a few beers, they can get by on 5hrs sleep and be ready to graft like never before.
I'm convinced they will all be dead at 65.
I've known a few people like that, and others who just fill their time with mindless unproductive crap that looks like useful activity. It doesn't bother me, but what does bother me is when they're the sort of bellend who thinks their mental illness makes them superior to everyone else; for example I find the earlier someone gets up in the morning the more likely they are to be a tiresome, pompous, boring, pedantic tt. You know what I mean, the sort of person who says "good afternoon" when you turn up at 8:55 for a 9am start because they've been there since 7am for whatever dhead reason.
t. You know what I mean, the sort of person who says "good afternoon" when you turn up at 8:55 for a 9am start because they've been there since 7am for whatever dhead reason.There's always one who has to get in the office first and makes sure everyone knows...of course all he's done is his fantasy golf/football teams, researched his holidays and completed the BBC news website but in his head he's got to work early and put the hours in, unlike those starting on time.
I tend to wake up around 5AM irrespective of when I went to bed, If I have a late night I just get tired halfway through the day or sometimes the day after. So it makes perfect sense to me to get in before 8 for a 9 o'clock start. I miss the worst of the traffic. When I get in I check my emails and if a problem arisen I can figure out what's happened without interference and prepare a suggested solution before anyone else starts phoning or emailing. If all is OK I can get on with my work and be productive in a quiet empty office. If I'm not busy, then yes I can read the news or study the radio 4 puzzle for the day for half an hour if I want to. I usually don't, but it's good to have the option.
My manager is certainly like this when it comes to work. He's a couple of years younger than me at 35 and is head of IT at a fairly large city firm. It's very commendable that he's got himself into such a position at the age he is. He is fortunate to be naturally very bright and have a photographic memory. He casually told us how he's passed a Microsoft exam because it was easier to remember 150 questions so he'd know the answer to the 40 that would come up in the exam!
At the same time though, he is literally never off duty. I mean I usually do a 9 hour day be it in the office or from home but he'll be on-hand regardless of the time be it 5am or 11pm.
I suppose it's admirable and it's clearly put him in a good position at such a young age but work is literally his hobby. He has no other interests.
At the same time though, he is literally never off duty. I mean I usually do a 9 hour day be it in the office or from home but he'll be on-hand regardless of the time be it 5am or 11pm.
I suppose it's admirable and it's clearly put him in a good position at such a young age but work is literally his hobby. He has no other interests.
I agree its weird how folk differ. I don't claim to be addicted to hard graft but I need to stay occupied and my motto (within the house) is "rush to relax" so I'm up 6am including weekends and chomping at the bit to get started with whatever my new project is.
On the flipside, my brother (18 months age difference) is genuinely the laziest g*t anyone will ever meet. Genuinely doesn't leave his flat unless its a medical emergency: works from home laying on the sofa, has his fags and beer delivered by the Tesco at the end of his street, etc etc.
"Energy" aside, we are very similar and very close to each-other
On the flipside, my brother (18 months age difference) is genuinely the laziest g*t anyone will ever meet. Genuinely doesn't leave his flat unless its a medical emergency: works from home laying on the sofa, has his fags and beer delivered by the Tesco at the end of his street, etc etc.
"Energy" aside, we are very similar and very close to each-other
I'm addicted to my job and I couldn't imagine life without it (thankfully I love it.. that helps).
The recent few months took A LOT of getting used to, my work halted as it did for many others.. even when out gardening there was a voice in the back of my head saying 'You arn't working!!'.. until that point the most time I would have off was 3 or 4 days between xmas and newyear.
But its not 'hard graft' its just long hours.
I tried to convince myself a 9-5 / 5 days a week would be bliss... time to read again, see friends, travel, holidays!... I ended up working with some of the most bitter, twisted and institutionalised people I ever met. Left after 6 weeks and went back to what keeps me happy!
I know a lot of grafters and for some it has cost them everything outside of work.. divorce, kids.. all that... or a wife that wants the finer things in life to 'keep her sweet' while he is working - and so the vicious cycle continues.
The recent few months took A LOT of getting used to, my work halted as it did for many others.. even when out gardening there was a voice in the back of my head saying 'You arn't working!!'.. until that point the most time I would have off was 3 or 4 days between xmas and newyear.
But its not 'hard graft' its just long hours.
I tried to convince myself a 9-5 / 5 days a week would be bliss... time to read again, see friends, travel, holidays!... I ended up working with some of the most bitter, twisted and institutionalised people I ever met. Left after 6 weeks and went back to what keeps me happy!
I know a lot of grafters and for some it has cost them everything outside of work.. divorce, kids.. all that... or a wife that wants the finer things in life to 'keep her sweet' while he is working - and so the vicious cycle continues.
I get up with the birds every day of the week. Currently about 415am. I either do something or do nothing. Often I sit in the garden at 430am with a coffee if the weather is right. Either doing something or doing nothing.
If you are in bed asleep there is no choice. You are doing nothing.
Sleep delays your life. Get up! You're a long time dead!
My dad is the same, his father before him. Taid lived to 91 and my dad is 80 and in rude health. I wouldn't take my dad on physically even now. Maybe were hard wired that way coming from a farming and quarrying background. 9 to 5, to me, is hamster on a wheel. I like to choose my own clock by not using a clock. Apart from meetings of course! Never late for them.
If you are in bed asleep there is no choice. You are doing nothing.
Sleep delays your life. Get up! You're a long time dead!
My dad is the same, his father before him. Taid lived to 91 and my dad is 80 and in rude health. I wouldn't take my dad on physically even now. Maybe were hard wired that way coming from a farming and quarrying background. 9 to 5, to me, is hamster on a wheel. I like to choose my own clock by not using a clock. Apart from meetings of course! Never late for them.
I used to work with someone who would spend ridiculous hours at work. I reckon at least once a week we’d get in to find him asleep, head on his desk, having spend the entire night along with the previous day at work. We couldn’t understand it. Turns out his marriage had turned to st and he was spending all that time in the office just to stay away from the conflict at home.
So sometimes, work ethic is not the real reason people spend so much tome at work.
t and he was spending all that time in the office just to stay away from the conflict at home.So sometimes, work ethic is not the real reason people spend so much tome at work.
Look at personality typing and enneagrams etc. it will explain why these outliers are that way inclined.
I’ve worked for a couple of guys over the years who fit the same pattern. Young, bright, extremely driven At everything they do. One was an international level athlete in his spare time, the other was a mountain climber in the sense he would take a couple of weeks off and go climb every route on the same mountain. Both first in/last out the office, gym fit, high achievers at work at an early age, and both seemingly never in what most of us would class as ‘off’ mode.
I’ve worked for a couple of guys over the years who fit the same pattern. Young, bright, extremely driven At everything they do. One was an international level athlete in his spare time, the other was a mountain climber in the sense he would take a couple of weeks off and go climb every route on the same mountain. Both first in/last out the office, gym fit, high achievers at work at an early age, and both seemingly never in what most of us would class as ‘off’ mode.
My sister worked all hours from leaving university throughout her career. Rarely at home, usually working away all over the world from Russia to Columbia to India (some interesting anecdotes along the way)
Even on Christmas day several years ago, there was a problem so she spent about 5-6 hours in her office dealing with it.
Finally ended up as a multi millionaire when her last company was bought out, Large and beautiful house, fantastic lifestyle, great kids, but still working almost as much as before.
She likes it.
Even on Christmas day several years ago, there was a problem so she spent about 5-6 hours in her office dealing with it.
Finally ended up as a multi millionaire when her last company was bought out, Large and beautiful house, fantastic lifestyle, great kids, but still working almost as much as before.
She likes it.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff