So how much do you REALLY work?
Sunday, July 14, 2002 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
So how much do you actually work when you're at work? Last week I did an experiment to figure out exactly what I was spending my time on. The linked article goes over the results.
dmbishop
Reply #2 Monday, July 15, 2002 12:13 AM
Reply #2 Monday, July 15, 2002 12:13 AM
Well, first of all, you OBVIOUSLY wrote the article during the evening. I believe I counted 6 product plugs (WindowBlinds, DesktopX, ObjectBar, SkinStudio, IconPackager, and WindowFX) as well as 6 teasers for beta or other future products (IconX, new Component Manager, beta of Galactic Civilizations, ThinkDESK, ObjectDock, and a new ObjectBar ). Not a bad piece of Guerrilla Marketing.
But seriously...I own a small (4 person) computer consulting firm http://www.bbsi.com. As such, my time is very regimented. About 5 or 6 years ago I took a Time Management seminar that (among other things) discussed the topic of actual hours vs. work hours. One thing that they did was to have us keep a log. It's something I still do every now and then to keep me focused. The last time I did it (March 3-9, 2002) it looked like this:
Client Time (Billable): 24 Hours
Client Time (Non Billable): 6.5 Hours
Office Management: 14 Hours
Marketing: 16 Hours
Time With Family: 29 Hours
Meals: 12 Hours
Personal Tasks: 6 hours
Sleep: 44.5 Hours
SUBTOTAL: 152 Hours
UNACCOUNTED TIME: 16 Hours
TOTAL: 168 Hours
It's the 16 hours that are important because they are 'wasted' (or so they say). My personal opinion is that those 16 hours are what keeps me sane. It's the time that I spend online, playing computer games, customizing my PC, listening to the radio (usually with my eyes closed), reading a book, or otherwise forgetting that I own a business, have a wife and 4 year old son, a mortgage, etc. The time is spread out throughout the day and for me, those mini-vacations are more helpful than taking a day off.
I require that my employees keep a timesheet that lists ALL of their daily activities. Some of it is for billing purposes, but it is also important to keep them focused. I have a line item for Personal Time and another for Unaccounted Time. I try to have them keep the total of both of those items under (but close to) 7 hours a week (1 business day). As I explain to them, I want them to have some down time during the day, but too much wastes MY money.
Dave
But seriously...I own a small (4 person) computer consulting firm http://www.bbsi.com. As such, my time is very regimented. About 5 or 6 years ago I took a Time Management seminar that (among other things) discussed the topic of actual hours vs. work hours. One thing that they did was to have us keep a log. It's something I still do every now and then to keep me focused. The last time I did it (March 3-9, 2002) it looked like this:
Client Time (Billable): 24 Hours
Client Time (Non Billable): 6.5 Hours
Office Management: 14 Hours
Marketing: 16 Hours
Time With Family: 29 Hours
Meals: 12 Hours
Personal Tasks: 6 hours
Sleep: 44.5 Hours
SUBTOTAL: 152 Hours
UNACCOUNTED TIME: 16 Hours
TOTAL: 168 Hours
It's the 16 hours that are important because they are 'wasted' (or so they say). My personal opinion is that those 16 hours are what keeps me sane. It's the time that I spend online, playing computer games, customizing my PC, listening to the radio (usually with my eyes closed), reading a book, or otherwise forgetting that I own a business, have a wife and 4 year old son, a mortgage, etc. The time is spread out throughout the day and for me, those mini-vacations are more helpful than taking a day off.
I require that my employees keep a timesheet that lists ALL of their daily activities. Some of it is for billing purposes, but it is also important to keep them focused. I have a line item for Personal Time and another for Unaccounted Time. I try to have them keep the total of both of those items under (but close to) 7 hours a week (1 business day). As I explain to them, I want them to have some down time during the day, but too much wastes MY money.
Dave
craeonics
Reply #3 Monday, July 15, 2002 8:30 AM
Reply #3 Monday, July 15, 2002 8:30 AM
At my last job (contract ended july 1st, so I'm currently enjoying the sun all day long) my day looked like this:
09:00 - enter crae
09:15 - drink tea and read mail
09:45 - visit the boards and other goofing off
12:00 - so some work
13:00 - lunch
13:30 - visit the boards and other goofing off
15:00 - do some more work
17:00 - more goofing
17:30 - supposed to go home now, but too busy goofing off
18:00 - lights off, so time to go home
And _still_ they were most satisfied with what I did!
09:00 - enter crae
09:15 - drink tea and read mail
09:45 - visit the boards and other goofing off
12:00 - so some work
13:00 - lunch
13:30 - visit the boards and other goofing off
15:00 - do some more work
17:00 - more goofing
17:30 - supposed to go home now, but too busy goofing off
18:00 - lights off, so time to go home
And _still_ they were most satisfied with what I did!
KenLin
Reply #4 Monday, July 15, 2002 9:03 AM
Reply #4 Monday, July 15, 2002 9:03 AM
Scary part is that my day looks a lot like crae's. And people think I do a great job. Apparently I'm overqualified 
TasT
Reply #5 Monday, July 15, 2002 10:27 AM
Reply #5 Monday, July 15, 2002 10:27 AM
normal day
0500 arrive and take over operation of my turbine/boiler unit.
0500 - 1130 Work 10 minutes a hour goof off for 50
1130 -1230 eat luch ( without leaving my unit)
1230 - 1700 same as 0500-1130
1700 leave
repeat 3 1/2 days a week
Or so it seems the the outside world. Really much time is spend glancing at the control gages and making adjustments the the unit.
0500 arrive and take over operation of my turbine/boiler unit.
0500 - 1130 Work 10 minutes a hour goof off for 50
1130 -1230 eat luch ( without leaving my unit)
1230 - 1700 same as 0500-1130
1700 leave
repeat 3 1/2 days a week
Or so it seems the the outside world. Really much time is spend glancing at the control gages and making adjustments the the unit.
TasT
Reply #6 Monday, July 15, 2002 10:34 AM
Reply #6 Monday, July 15, 2002 10:34 AM
so I guess I really physically work 2 out of 12 hours.. 
Doreen
Reply #7 Tuesday, July 16, 2002 11:45 AM
Reply #7 Tuesday, July 16, 2002 11:45 AM
oh this news post almost got by me! well for me I goof off and work simataneously! my reports need to filter so most the time after I do my thing w/ that and shoot it off to run then I hate to waste that valuable time, soooo I goof off! I have to peek in on that screen to babysit it so I play during the time my reports are so called "baking" hehe
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Sunday, July 14, 2002 11:19 PM