Re:Ask YC: how do you work for 8 hours straight?
by yason on Monday January 14, 2008 @05:04PM
(#98327)
I see no other options but trying to find a job where all that matters is whether you get stuff done, no when or where.
Life is too great for being wasted on some company's stupid playground rules: it is NOT okay to think "well, it's the same everywhere -- i'll just have to take it"! You deserve to embrace your talent in the best possible way. If you know you write quality code because you're a passionated and self-respecting coder, you have the right to excuse yourself off these bosses and companies who can't see your value beyond their time clocking schemes. You do no better at your work by adhering to these rules.
From what I've observed and discussed, programmers and intellectual workers seem to get something like 3-4 hours of real work done in an 8-hour day. If they're good. That sucks! Everybody thinks it's frustrating to be at the office when you actually cannot work as you need some time to think over your problem. You could do other, useful, personal, creative things while mulling on your problem and then when you're finished, just sit down for a couple of hours and effectively do a couple of days' work in that one sitting. You feel productive and you get things done. Both personal and professional. Everybody wins.
There are companies that understand this. Keep looking and when you find one, stick to it.
Life is too great for being wasted on some company's stupid playground rules: it is NOT okay to think "well, it's the same everywhere -- i'll just have to take it"! You deserve to embrace your talent in the best possible way. If you know you write quality code because you're a passionated and self-respecting coder, you have the right to excuse yourself off these bosses and companies who can't see your value beyond their time clocking schemes. You do no better at your work by adhering to these rules.
From what I've observed and discussed, programmers and intellectual workers seem to get something like 3-4 hours of real work done in an 8-hour day. If they're good. That sucks! Everybody thinks it's frustrating to be at the office when you actually cannot work as you need some time to think over your problem. You could do other, useful, personal, creative things while mulling on your problem and then when you're finished, just sit down for a couple of hours and effectively do a couple of days' work in that one sitting. You feel productive and you get things done. Both personal and professional. Everybody wins.
There are companies that understand this. Keep looking and when you find one, stick to it.