Call me crazy or lazy or whatever, but I really can’t force myself to work a bunch of overtime. We always have so much available that we have to farm out time to our deputies or others who use to work in our department. I was signed up for 34 hrs of OT this next two week pay period and 38 for the pay period after that. That is a heck of a lot to me. Yes, there are some who do 56 each two week period but I think they are nuts.
So yesterday, when two people mentioned they’d like to have a few more days of OT, I gladly gave up 24 hrs of mine for the month of July. That still leaves me with 48 hrs total. My supervisors weren’t overly happy to see me give up OT. In their world, a person who NEEDS to work overtime is of great value to them whereas, those of us who are happy not to seem to threaten their notion of normal.
The two people I gave my overtime to were ecstatic to get it because they both live outside their means…way out. They both have kids, big mortgages, and expensive cars to support. Yes, I could always find something to spend the money on but at what cost to my mental health?
I’m told I have no vision – that I should work a lot now while I’m young and healthy (yeah, what are they smoking?) so that I can relax later in my life. I should be getting a new car, plan an expensive vacation, and buy all the wonderful things out there that I’d like to have.
I find a few flaws with that logic. One is – even if I work to buy “things” now, there will always be more “things” I want. Not that I’m into a lot of material things but I’m sure you can see what I mean. When does it stop? The people here have worked these crazy hours of overtime for years! So long that the overtime has become part of their budget and now they literally can’t live comfortably without it.
Secondly, tomorrow is promised to no one. I’d rather have two days to relax and unwind now then hope to have some time to relax “later” in my life. Just having one day off a week is too hectic for me – I don’t get to relax at all as I try to stuff everything into that one day of freedom. I need more time smelling the roses.
One coworker told me I just have to be more organized. She has practically every moment of every day all planned out – including driving times to and from appointments. I feel sorry for her.
Another told me our line of work was a “calling” much like a minister, nurse, or doctor who can be called in at a moments notice. We save and comfort people – how could we not want to be at work every chance we get? To that I say, hey – even God rested. If He needed a full day, it is only reasonable that a mere mortal would need twice as long to be refreshed.
The one fact that I would cry from every housetop is this: the Good Life is waiting for us – here and now.
–B. F. Skinner
