Working overtime

Kinda have to, right?

Published on August 28, 2007 By PixelPirate In WinCustomize Talk

So this past week has been tough. The toughest time I've ever had at work. Overtime each day, 12 and a half hours on a Saturday, 16 hours and counting today, all to finish a lot of stuff for a pitch for a big (potential) client. I'm over 40 hours over normal hours. That's over two weeks of work in one week. Millions worth of hours and material in form of print, web, radio spots and TV commercials has been produced just in hope of winning a client. Somewhere around 15-20 people have been involved in this process now, 6 of us tonight. I've designed/layed out around 200 pages with all kind of strategic stuff, our company profile and our tools when approaching new clients.

Everything is messed up, seems like I just work and sleep, and in between I'm just exhausted. I haven't had time to assemble the closet I had delivered last Friday. It just stands there, and all my clothes are spread across the living room. But I have to do this right? I don't have a choice in a way, I have to do the work assigned to me, I can't say screw you to my boss, we have to do what we can to get this client. Hours of interest is what it is both for me and the company. Hopefully we'll get rewarded in the end and get a high profile client, plus the company can see I'm a good man to have around. Another thing is that I get to know some of the people here better, because I don't see or work with them every day.

So while this is kind of a crappy situation right now, it is a good thing seen from a different perspective. I'm just getting real tired.

And I have no time to skin!

Comments

Hankers

on Aug 28, 2007

And I have no time to skin!

12 and a half hours on a Saturday, 16 hours and counting today

That still leaves 11-½ hours on Saturday and 8 hours or less today that you can skin.

Nice to see your dedication to your work and employer. We can wait for your next masterpiece .... but not too long!

MadDeez

on Aug 28, 2007

dude, you need to get your priorities straight!! which is it, working overtime and making mney or making a free blind for us to enjoy? i say it's making the free blind!! people have said i have a strange way of looking at things, tho.

BigDogBigFeet

on Aug 28, 2007

Hang in there Pixel Pirate. And, at the first opportunity, get plenty of rest. You'll feel better.

theAVMAN

on Aug 29, 2007

Good luck I hope you land your client sometimes one big fish is all you need to make things roll!!

Erk.

on Aug 29, 2007

Guess I was lucky to get a "hello" from you in irc the other day, then

Hang in there Lasse ...sounds like you're on the home stretch....

And best of luck with grabbing the big client!

I.R. Brainiac

on Aug 29, 2007

I recommend a mix of no sleep,camels,coffee with lots of cream and sugar...thats my secret.

Good fortune to you Pix.

andrew_

on Aug 29, 2007

Hey, I need some icons.... tomorow.

Hang in there man, or just skip town and hit the states again.

NightTrainthedark

on Aug 29, 2007

Being too busy is way better than being homeless.

This time next year you'll probably be going crazy with nothing to do.

As far as skinning goes, The secret is living without sleep. It really isn't necessary.

unclerob

on Aug 29, 2007

You really sound like a hard worker (understatement, maybe workaholic?), I hope all of your time invested in this project gets you the results that you're hoping for.

I also hope that your employer takes care of you in some form for the extra overtime you've been putting above & beyond the normal OT you put in at work. I know for the most part people who don't punch a timecard are pretty much expected to work OT without pay but don't let an employer take advantage of you.

I've seen some employers treat their employees poorly even though these employees bend over backwards and work crazy amounts of overtime to get projects completed (ex. 16 hour days for weeks, weekends, etc.). Heck I've even seen some employers let go of employees after they have worked crazy overtime (unpaid) to get projects completed all in the name of cutting budgets and saving money and all those employees are left with is a feeling of being used/taken advantage of which they take with them to their next job, being hesitant to tackle new projects and work overtime for fear of being used again.

Plus all that extra overtime work and hardly any time for sleep, eating, friends, social life can transform a person after while: the happy funny go getter turns into a grumpy bear. Make sure there is balance in your life.

Good luck!!!

PixelPirate

on Aug 30, 2007

Andrew, last time you said that. You got them, and have you used them yet? Get busy foo. I could use a week or two of after this project though, line up some soco/lime shots.

Spent 20 hours here tuesday day and night, wasn't home until 5:30 in the morning. 4 hours of sleep then in again, but we are done and all the material is on it's way. Now, we have to wait 2-3 weeks until we get closure on this thing. But it's a tough pitch, around 20 agencies are invited, so there's an intense amount of high quality work competing against us.

Yeah, I get a little extra something for it, $500-600 dinner on a fancy restaurant plus some time of. Plus I can use this the next time it's time to negotiate pay.

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