Alright so this post is coming from a place of guilt so do not take it as bragging.
I have been employed for more than 16 years now and routinely clocked 60+ hour work weeks till before COVID. Once WFH started, I found it difficult to adjust working from home (especially with two toddlers) and found myself spending most of the time taking care of the kids (which I thoroughly enjoyed). Wife is a doctor and has erratic hours so I thought kids need the reassurance of at least one parent being around most of the time. Around 2021, I realised that my fitness has significantly gone down so I enrolled in a sports club and began playing squash regularly and religiously in the mornings. 30 minute sessions became 45 minutes which became 1 hour to now close to 2 hours (coupled with some running and swimming). By the time I login to work (I have UK hours: 11 am to 8 pm), I feel quite tired and at times take post lunch naps (during office time). My health has significantly improved but I have found that I am simply unable to stay productive at work for more than 4 hours ( around 4 pm to 8 pm).
I am pretty good at what I do and one of the few technical people in a team full of Excel worshippers so one can argue that I get things done relatively faster than average colleagues. However, I have a serious fear that this level of slacking may get me in trouble and could even render me unemployable as I get older. Is this just a phase or a manifestation of a midlife crisis? Have others experienced something like this in their late 30s early 40s?
After reading you post , I feel that you're living a good life.
If you're working for 4 hours and getting the work done then that's ok, what's the issue in that, why do you want to want to work for 8 hours? Question this to yourself
Also check if you're facing burnout or not, people tend to slack when they are face burnout.
Do journal your routine for a few days and check how you spend you day, then you can make adjustments in your routine.
Personally, I have US timings and I'm most productive after 6pm. Till then I'm just slacking off. There are days when I start working from 10am because of workload but usually I start by 4-6pm. Also before the start of my day I write down all my jira tickets and the approx time it should take, it hardly comes done to 4 hours. This way I usually complete the work in 3-5 hours and I don't feel insecure that I'm working less.
@RemoteLute36 I am not regretting my present situation. Just anxious whether this is sustainable. Good advice BTW and thanks for sharing your routine. I can relate.
Most people anyways work for 3-4 hours productively in a day. Rest of it is trying to work in between food and tea and gossip breaks.
You won't get in trouble as long as the work is done. Ease your guilt, you have a good life. Enjoy it :)
I used to cycle long distances, with time and practice the need for a nap went down. You can also try a supplement called L citrulline to reduce/delay fatigue.
One gets more efficient at one's job with time!! Enjoy the efficiency.
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