Why I Need A 16 Hour Work Day

Often, I gripe about being behind on my work and how I have so
much to do. I'm not unique in this, we all do it. It's just part of
human nature. What's funny about it, however, is when I take a close
look at the real reasons why I am behind and overworked.

Typically, I work a 16 hour day. Yes, my work day is 16 hours,
minus the distractions that is. After the distraction time is removed
from that 16 hours, who knows how much time is left for actual
work.

I know, let's figure it out. Here is a quick list of some of those
distractions and the approximate time they cost me.

"Honey Come Here" -- This distraction consists of opening jars,
getting things down off the high shelves, walking all the way to the
other end of the house to hand something to my wife that was only 4
feet from where she was seated in the first place, fixing things,
explaining what I'm doing, running off door to door salesmen, and
giving kisses.

Time Lost: 2 hours

"Honey Where Are You?" -- This consists of me looking for my wife
so I can flirt with her and occasionally... well, that's none of your
business.

Time Lost: 1 hour (or so)

"Honey! They're not listening to me!" -- This is time spent being the
global superpower that backs up all of Mom's threatening statements
to the kids.

Time Lost: 1 hour

"Dad!" -- This consists of stopping fights, taking away sharp objects,
explaining why rooms must be cleaned, helping with homework,
stopping fights, holding down body parts while Mom digs out slivers,
getting down cups, hiding or throwing away markers and glue, and
stopping fights.

Time Lost: 1.5 hours

Sweaty Rump -- During the rare occasion that I'm left alone to work
for a long period of time, sometimes I just need to stand up and 'air'
out.

Time Lost: 15 minutes to 2 hours (depending on what else distracts
me while I'm up.)

Hunger -- What? I can't just sit there and never want food!

Time Lost: 1 hour (hey, sometimes I can eat a lot.)

Phone Calls -- Every time I sit down at the computer, apparently it's
a signal for my wife and kids to want to call someone. I guess I
should just spend the money and put in another phone line, but they
would probably just take that one over, too.

Time Lost: 1 hour

Fatigue -- This is an interesting phenomenon as well. I can run all day
taking care of other things or playing around and feel just fine. Then,
as soon as I spend 10 minutes sitting in front of the computer, I'm
tired.

Time Lost: 2 hours

"It's OK, I'm the Boss" -- I've used this excuse with myself to take
time off WAY too many times.

Time Lost: 2 hours

Movies -- I like movies. Even with the TV going in a separate room,
they still tempt me. Of course, if the kids wouldn't have the volume
up to 90 decibels, it might not be such a problem.

Time Lost: 2 hours

Now, here's the catch. If I was working at a regular job how many
of these excuses would fly? You guessed it, NONE!

So, what am I going to do about it? Since I am the boss, does this
mean I have to fire myself?

Well, so far, my answer to the problem has been the 16 hour work
day. I plan a 16 hour work day, thereby allowing enough time for all
the distractions. So how much time do those distractions take?

According to what I listed above, about 14 hours. That leaves only 2
hours for real work.

Well, next time you see an ad for a home business claiming you only
have to work a few hours a week, now you'll know why.

Because that's all that's really possible anyway!