How do you explain one of them...

[Laterider21958]

It may be a case of "If you want something done, give it to a busy person". Sometimes people don't understand or take into account all the different tasks that are undertaken in a day and when new tasks are delegated, some minor (and often unnecessary ones) are retained. When new work is added to your already bulging workload, something has to drop off the end. It sounds like you don't slack off during a day.

I am not in a highflying position, but was someone who didn't want to say no to colleagues and would often say yes, when I'd rather say no. Working with workaholics made me feel like I would be letting the side down if I didn't put in extra hours and take home stuff. Now I am braver (older and more experienced) and have begun to say no. Mainly to after hours non-paid extra expectations placed upon me i.e. meetings & training and development not relevant to my position. It is very liberating, though I do still have an attack of the guilts occasionally. When at work I am thoroughly dedicated to the job and work flat out. There is never a slack day.

Perhaps you could "break your boss/es in" gradually by leaving "on time" once a fortnight and then once a week and then more regularly, so they realise you won't be available after hours on those days. Prioritise - your health and wellbeing is important. Think about it - if you continue on this path, eventually your health will decline. Taking sick days off will be even less productive for your company.

[pooks]

Just for the record, I second (or third or fifth) the motion that you log your hours and show them. It seems to me if you're putting in a lot of hours when nobody else is there, you may need something tangible to show so that the guy "gets it" and understands the number of hours you're putting in.

The other question I have that I haven't seen answered (but maybe I missed it) is -- have you specifically arranged with your boss that you are coming into work early so that you can get off early? Or are you doing this on your own, and then feel odd leaving early in case others don't realize why you're doing it?

[run it, ride it]

Ladies, those of you trapped doing more work than humanly feasible, I am so sorry that has to happen. We are all driven athletes because we are driven elsewhere in our lives, and there is a marked difference between GIVING lots of energy into something, and having it taken from you. Once the taking starts, the quality of work will decline, your mental state will decline--is that worth ANY job?

However, in consolation, know that this thread has been very reaffirming to a young person like myself who will be finished her undergrad in 1.5 more essays (naturally, due later today) and 2 exams (naturally, an hour apart), and who is panicking just a little 'cause she needs an average high enough for the grad school she wants into, and who just turned down a career in financial management that would have been more hours of the day and more chips off her soul than she was willing to sacrifice, even if she WAS the only one to get an interview out of 134 applicants.

I used to be such an overachiever, not to mention varsity athlete with an over-achieving coach, but it burned me to an injured, soulless crisp. Cycling helped me refocus and heal, allowed me to push my limits but still gave me the option to coast at the back of the peloton if I needed the break, and I'm not ashamed to need a break anymore. The horse helped me reprioritize--while I tend to ignore my own injuries, I take careful care of his.

I'll tell you what, I SLEPT last night despite those essays due before 5pm. I'm not stressing like I used to. If I don't get into my first program of choice, hey, I probably would have sacrificed my soul meeting its demands anyway--and there are plenty other interesting programs that will take me. If for some reason I pull it off, I'll know I pulled it off legitimately while maintaining the rest of my life.

Ladies, GET OUT while you still can! Who wants to be the bitter old cat-lady? Plenty of people will respect you for balancing your life, and they are the ones who really matter.

[RoadRaven]

"Nobody on their death bed ever said 'I wish I'd spent more time at the office.'"

Exactly.
This is something my partner said to me once when I was moaning and complaining about work, and what one of my colleagues does and expects of others (ie, she goes in at weekends and stays late a few nights a week)

I am prepared for the next time she says something to me that in ten years I won't regret (or even remember) the meeting/whatever I am missing, but I will regret and remember not saying goodnight to my sons because I get home too late to kiss them good night.