what time do you go to work?

[Trask Bergerson]

Problem is some people can do it all...but I'm too off and on...100% or zero..so i am forced to live two lives family and work and I binge work at both. An odd balance and one that clearly won't last..but for now it must suffice.

Seriously some great wisdom on this subject..Gabe some very well collected thoughts that ring home for me.
I'm going hunting with my son

[Dan Dauchess]

I get to the shop around 7am. Shop works 8-4:30. Occaisional saturdays to meet clients or do maintenance.

[CustomMarbleGranite]

Les gets to work between 7 & 7:30, shop opens at 8:00 showroom opens with shop. I get in between 10 -11. Our guys leave about 4 but OT happens every couple of days. The showroom is open until 5 and evening by appointment and Saturdays until 4 but we usually don't leave until 6 or later.

[John Koessler]

Hi Guys

What Gabe posted is very important! I think we could start a new thread about balance. I went through a divorce after 22 years. I spent a lot of time with my son while I worked. Had some extra chicken wire on hand when I was doing mud jobs, and was able to create a play pen for him. I wonder if he remembers. Got pictures of him pushing a broom helping me when he was about 5.

While I do put in excessive hours, balance is a key. I'm trying a new configuration for my business. The blessing is that I can usually take off when I need to (whether it be a vacation, trade show, or emergency for my folks).

I have made many mistakes during my younger years with over working. Some of that has carried over to where I am today. It will take over your life, your relationships, and worst of all your health.

I'm currently participating in the Saturday Men's Fraternity group I mentioned in my earlier post. The topic is Winning at Work & Home. I wish I had these tools when I was young and foolish. It's not too late to teach an old dog new tricks!

I always give my guys the weekends off to spend with family. Once in a while they will have an option, but not too often.
Me, that's another story!

[Todd Luster]

Our shop's usually 7:30-4:00, Office 8:00 to 5:00
My normal shifts at the FD require 10 24 hour shifts a month 7am to 7am, where I go straight to the shop when I get off. I used to seldom get home before 7, but yes as my kids grew older and wanted me around(which is cool ), I have tried to get home by 6 or so on most nights. In the summer, I work whatever hours it takes to put me at the lake Friday afternoons!!
Somehow I lucked out this summer with the lake. The only weekend we missed was when we were in Seattle ...

[Joe Durfee]

Shop 6-4:30 Monday through Thursday (Friday if needed)
Office 8-5 Monday through Friday
Me 6:30/7:00 - 5 Monday through Friday.

[dustinbraudway]

Gabe,

I understand what you are saying! But trust me I find plenty of time to play and travel the world! I don't really call what I do work, because I enjoy it way too much! When I first met my wife she took me to the big city of New York and later to Italy, all I did was walk around with my head down and up looking at stone, I really dont' even recall any converstations just stone, stone, stone everywhere. Thats when I realized I have problem Now I make sure I have time to play and enjoy the company that is with me while playing and traveling.


Trask wins the Ironman - he hasn't stopped working!

[scott@stone age]

I get to work at 7am, shop guys at 7:30-7:45 am, cut out about 4:30 ish. I stay to about 5-8pm. Showroom/office 8am to 4:30pm.

[mikedean]

6ish till 330. Gotta pick the kids up. Wife does drop off and I do pickup.

[Brian Briggs]

At my shop we worked from 8-5 1 hr lunch. This was office staff and shop.

Prior to owning my company, I was working whenever the shop allowed. Hell, when my daughter was born Christina moved in with her mom since I was working 90 hours a week (not a seperation, we lived in the country and she needed someone there). Hell, to see me she would bring dinner up. I had always worked like that. By the time my son was born I had my own company. Twelve hour days +weekends and never seen them. Then I got a lap top thinking I would be home more often. I was, but I had the lap top on my lap doing bids till late in the night.

It got to the point that I was bringing work with me while camping or I did not go at all and the family went. My kids were surprised when I would say that I was going.

Now, I am gone a lot. I am home on the weekends and one week every five weeks while I work my territory around home. The good part is, I actually spend more time with my kids now that ever before. When I am home, I am home and weekends are mine. Man I missed a lot!

[Stone Dude]

Gabe,

I understand what you are saying! But trust me I find plenty of time to play and travel the world! I don't really call what I do work, because I enjoy it way too much! When I first met my wife she took me to the big city of New York and later to Italy, all I did was walk around with my head down and up looking at stone, I really dont' even recall any converstations just stone, stone, stone everywhere. Thats when I realized I have problem Now I make sure I have time to play and enjoy the company that is with me while playing and traveling.


Trask wins the Ironman - he hasn't stopped working!

I dont think Sharla would enjoy a trip to Europe with me. All I would do is look at stone buildings and stuff. I dont care baout paintings and gondola rides, i just want to see badass marble columns.

[politefab]

truth be told it does not matter what time you show up or leave its what you put in while your there when i go to work i'm there to get S#!t done

i just had a rant you guys will never see

[dustinbraudway]

Nice control Eli!

Your right Cam, she might get a little pissy about it. :D I am not sure if Sharla is doing it yet, but Bonnie can now call out 30 different color of stones, it's quite funny now, she always try's to make a game out of it. :D

[Antonio Almonte]

It was the same with Anna before she joined the company. Too funny!

[Stone Dude]

she'll get there...whether she likes it or not

[Brian Briggs]

Christina use to give me crap. Then she got in the biz, now she helps point it out

[Kowboy]

( to put it simply) the sacrifice was not worth it there is nothing noble about being a slave.

With that comment, I pronounce Eli the winner with Gabe a very close second. And thanks to Cam for thinking up this thread which obviously hit a nerve.

For the record, slackmaster Kowboy moseys out of the house after rush hour. Sometimes I hafta work late and/or weekends. I'm always on call.

Joe

P.S.:

Whoever laid on his deathbed and lamented, "Geesh, if I'd only spent more time at work."?

[Gabe]

With that comment, I pronounce Eli the winner with Gabe a very close second.

Joe,
I am only a winner because I DO NOT work those hours anymore. I have taken control of my life.

I work to live, not live to work. :D

[politefab]

every one has there own wants and needs.

ill make it simple and about me. i have a great family and i have a lot of friends i keep my work life and my personal life as separate as passable because i learned a long time ago that when at work i am a different person than when at home with my friends.i gave up my family life and my social life for a long time for some one else's gain. rite now its all about my family. in 10 years my youngest will be 16 my oldest will be 22 and i will be be 44 my life will not even be half over. but i will have a relationship with my family and wont be part of the 60% divorce rate .i have friends over or i go to friends homes for dinners and other gatherings probably 3 to 4 nights a week. last night i was at a dinner for a friend. she is 31 with 3 kids and dieing from cancer. our kids have been friends for a few years.tomorrow i am cooking spaghetti for another family they are coming over with there 2 kids and we will have a great evening together. what are you doing sitting at your desk at 9 by your self while your family go's on with out you. for what there happiness trust me i know about it i have been there and done that i lost a few friends because of it and almost lost a wife as well. for what? again there is nothing noble about it.