Comments on: Downsides Of Working Long Hours – Health Problems, Boredom, and Strange Schedules http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/ The Life of a Contract Attorney in Temp Town, Washington D.C. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:23:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Charles Young http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/comment-page-1/#comment-55307 Charles Young Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:23:36 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/#comment-55307 You hear all kids of things about what it takes to be successful. The thing is that the hours don't become long until you stop loving what you do. Yes, life balance is important. We all have families that we not only have to, but we should spend time with. A life outside of the office is important because it will keep us grounded and help take our thoughts off what ever pressing issue happens to be back at the office. Our health is not more important than our bank account. There's no point in chasing the all mighty dollar if we aren't alive to enjoy it once we get it. Great post! You hear all kids of things about what it takes to be successful. The thing is that the hours don’t become long until you stop loving what you do.

Yes, life balance is important. We all have families that we not only have to, but we should spend time with. A life outside of the office is important because it will keep us grounded and help take our thoughts off what ever pressing issue happens to be back at the office.

Our health is not more important than our bank account. There’s no point in chasing the all mighty dollar if we aren’t alive to enjoy it once we get it.

Great post!

]]> By: Chi Atty http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/comment-page-1/#comment-440 Chi Atty Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:13:06 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/#comment-440 I didn't go to law school until I was 30. Up to that point I had a regular 9-5 job, I worked out 5 days a week, I was in great shape, and I had a life. Then I went to law school, had to study 12-16 hours a day, stopped working out, developed bad eating and sleeping habits, and eventually gained about 50 pounds. Then law school transitioned to doc review projects of 60-80 hours a week for the last two years. Needless to say I've developed some health issues that are only going to go away if I return to a "normal" life of 9-5 and eating properly and working out. However, since I'm saddled with my huge law school debt, and can only find doc review jobs, I can't return to a normal life and pay my bills. Law school, the worst decision of my life. I didn’t go to law school until I was 30. Up to that point I had a regular 9-5 job, I worked out 5 days a week, I was in great shape, and I had a life. Then I went to law school, had to study 12-16 hours a day, stopped working out, developed bad eating and sleeping habits, and eventually gained about 50 pounds. Then law school transitioned to doc review projects of 60-80 hours a week for the last two years. Needless to say I’ve developed some health issues that are only going to go away if I return to a “normal” life of 9-5 and eating properly and working out. However, since I’m saddled with my huge law school debt, and can only find doc review jobs, I can’t return to a normal life and pay my bills. Law school, the worst decision of my life.

]]> By: Temp Partner http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/comment-page-1/#comment-251 Temp Partner Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:37:08 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/#comment-251 Sanka, Well, this all just goes to show the obvious - that reality doesn't always meet or fulfill initial expectations. Ally McBeal and Law & Order had me fooled. :( Sanka,

Well, this all just goes to show the obvious – that reality doesn’t always meet or fulfill initial expectations. Ally McBeal and Law & Order had me fooled. :(

]]> By: Sanka http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/comment-page-1/#comment-249 Sanka Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:28:47 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/#comment-249 Interestingly, some of us led sedentary, sleepless lives in law school, only to incur massive student loan debt (undischargeable in bankruptcy) and forced into sedentary, sleepless working lives. Sounds like an early heart attack in the making. (Is your life insurance paid up?) Not to mention broken relationships and an otherwise poor, pathetic existence. Is this the life that you expected when you opened up your acceptance letter from your law school? Interestingly, some of us led sedentary, sleepless lives in law school, only to incur massive student loan debt (undischargeable in bankruptcy) and forced into sedentary, sleepless working lives.

Sounds like an early heart attack in the making. (Is your life insurance paid up?) Not to mention broken relationships and an otherwise poor, pathetic existence.

Is this the life that you expected when you opened up your acceptance letter from your law school?

]]> By: Joe Miller http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Joe Miller Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:21:59 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/#comment-221 I work out 6 days per week, even while doing contract work. Body for Life is a great program, which involves 3, 20-minute cardio sessions per week, 3, 45-minute weight training sessions (yes, women shoud also lift weights), and a diet of six small meals per day. Even when meals are going to be provided at a firm, I bring a back up TV dinner, just in case it's something loaded with garbage--like General Tso's Chicken, which is the absolute worst. If projects start at 8AM, I get up at 4:30. If they start at 9, I am up at 5:30, three days per week. Cardio days involve 20 minute workouts, so that is not as onerous. And I have a lot more energy during the day. If I can really go out on a limb, I wrote about this over at my blog, JDWired, back in September: http://jdwired.com/?p=14. I work out 6 days per week, even while doing contract work. Body for Life is a great program, which involves 3, 20-minute cardio sessions per week, 3, 45-minute weight training sessions (yes, women shoud also lift weights), and a diet of six small meals per day. Even when meals are going to be provided at a firm, I bring a back up TV dinner, just in case it’s something loaded with garbage–like General Tso’s Chicken, which is the absolute worst. If projects start at 8AM, I get up at 4:30. If they start at 9, I am up at 5:30, three days per week. Cardio days involve 20 minute workouts, so that is not as onerous. And I have a lot more energy during the day.

If I can really go out on a limb, I wrote about this over at my blog, JDWired, back in September: http://jdwired.com/?p=14.

]]> By: Techgirl22 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/comment-page-1/#comment-220 Techgirl22 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:34:23 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/downsides-of-working-long-hours-health-problems-boredom-and-strange-schedules/#comment-220 You are really soft in terms of peddling what some people have experienced as far as the effects of working exceedingly long hours. First, I wish all the contract attorneys would remember to take a bath/shower daily because everyone will appreciate it tremendously. Body odor in a tight space is not a pleasant smell. Second, sitting for long periods of time is horrible for your body. You should be getting up to move around at least every two hours. I have never had anyone at a firm say anything to me to get up and move after an hour or so. The workout during the day is also an excellent idea if you know you are not going to do anything at night. Third, I think it would be an excellent idea for some to get some fruits and vegetables into your diet. Eating well is one of the best things you can do for yourself and it's not that hard if you are diligent about it. Frankly, I think it would be better to sacrifice a few hours to get some fruits and vegetables. Lastly, if you have a bad cold or the flu for goodness sakes stay home so as not to infect others. I have applauded agencies that have removed attorneys who did not have the sense to know. You are really soft in terms of peddling what some people have experienced as far as the effects of working exceedingly long hours. First, I wish all the contract attorneys would remember to take a bath/shower daily because everyone will appreciate it tremendously. Body odor in a tight space is not a pleasant smell.

Second, sitting for long periods of time is horrible for your body. You should be getting up to move around at least every two hours. I have never had anyone at a firm say anything to me to get up and move after an hour or so. The workout during the day is also an excellent idea if you know you are not going to do anything at night.

Third, I think it would be an excellent idea for some to get some fruits and vegetables into your diet. Eating well is one of the best things you can do for yourself and it’s not that hard if you are diligent about it. Frankly, I think it would be better to sacrifice a few hours to get some fruits and vegetables.

Lastly, if you have a bad cold or the flu for goodness sakes stay home so as not to infect others. I have applauded agencies that have removed attorneys who did not have the sense to know.

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