what kind of work ethic do you have? is it natural? what kind of professional are you

[DrPizza]

and I've only missed 6 days in 4 years (4 of which were for my daughters birth)

At lunch, a year or so ago, "what form do you use for requesting a personal day?" "The same form as when you take a sick day." "And, what form would that be?" 14 years, and I've scheduled one day off for minor surgery, and have taken maybe a total of 3 personal days.

 

[Ksyder]

I think a lot of work ethic comes from whether or not you feel good. If you feel crummy & tired all the time, it's hard to be motivated about anything or care very much. I think a lot of people are struggling with low energy from staying up all night on the TV & Internet and from eating unhealthy food. I know that's how it works for me! Haha.

Same here! When I was in college I had a terrible time for awhile due to chronic fatigue. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Later I discovered some food intolerances and when I let go of certain foods and did a paleo type diet I was able to work tirelessly, which has helped immensely.

 

[JManInPhoenix]

I earn my paycheck - give 100% while at work but when the workday is done I don't think about it all until I return back to work.

 

[rcpratt]

I'm a lazy slacker, but I am smart enough to get by while procrastinating and do quite well. I'm an engineer.

That said, I do work quite hard and am capable of turning it up when I need to.

 

[BikeJunkie]

I had a very intense (unbalanced) work ethic after I survived several rounds of layoffs back in 2001. They scared the shit out of me. I spent the next couple years beating my physical and mental health into the ground as I strove to prove my "worth." I was in my early 20's, had just gotten married and bought a house, etc. My sense of security was in shambles.

I acquired a healthy jadedness after I matured a bit and recognized the significance of the following: my boss (my mentor) knew I was doing this to myself and knew I was scared to death of losing my job. As a "company man" himself, he almost encouraged it and never once thought it prudent to tell me it wasn't necessary.

I've always been very good at what I do, so I learned to find my sense of security in that. These days, there is a lot more at stake (larger house, two kids, a healthy obsession or two, etc), but I never worry about it. I just stay on top of my skills and know that if I find myself out of work, I have the skills, experience, and personality to find more. Whenever I start to doubt this, I go out and procure short-term work if for no other reason than to reassert where I stand.

I firmly believe that a job worth doing is a job worth doing right, and I work accordingly. However, I don't kill myself. I don't tolerate unrealistic client expectations and I don't put myself in a position where my work-life balance is threatened. From 8 - 5, I'm prepared to work my ass off - and frequently do. But at 5:01, my life belongs to me.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

I'm responsible. My best performance comes when I'm challenged. Otherwise I will just get comfortable, lazy and coast the rest of the way.
Improving myself is what drives and motivates me.

 

[purbeast0]

i work hard, and get my job done, but i will not work more than 40 hours a week, except maybe once a year or so. in my 9 years as a developer, i've worked more than 40 hours probably 3 weeks, and it was for 1 company that i no longer work for, and that was a major reason i left because they kept having unrealistic expectations.

i also need to be busy and have something to do that challenges me, otherwise i get unmotivated. when i'm challenged and am trying to solve something that takes some thought, i really enjoy doing it and feel very rewarded when it's finished.

 

[Aaviel]

I'm supposed to work ~40 hours a week. Sometimes it's 35 and others it could be north of 60. It's not mandatory but if I'm working on an interesting project I tend to work on it nights/weekends sometimes.

 

[yhelothar]

I know I have horrible discipline, but I've consistently found things that motivate me intrinsically and I get pulled into the activity. Thus, I try to find careers that revolve around this.
I'm currently a neural engineer working in a lab. The work resonates with me spiritually, and hence I feel incredibly connected to my work. I don't really work on any set schedule, but rather I have questions that I feel driven to figure out. I think about it a lot throughout the day and even in my dreams. I work to live. But in a way, my work is a hobby, so it's not really work to me.

 

[dainthomas]

At lunch, a year or so ago, "what form do you use for requesting a personal day?" "The same form as when you take a sick day." "And, what form would that be?" 14 years, and I've scheduled one day off for minor surgery, and have taken maybe a total of 3 personal days.

My company requires you to take off (at least) 160 hours per year. If you don't, you lose them with nothing in return. And you get bitched at by management on top of it.

 

[BikeJunkie]

My company requires you to take off (at least) 160 hours per year. If you don't, you lose them with nothing in return. And you get bitched at by management on top of it.

Sounds like a good company to work for :thumbsup:

 

[biostud]

I try not to kill any of the pupils.

I do what is required of me, but not more than that.

 

[rh71]

I started a learn ____ in 14 days book about 10 days ago and I haven't finished day 3.

This would be different if I actually worked at an office instead of home. G'damn it.