I love giving advice. So does my friend Alex. We come from different generations and we’re at very different points in our lives and careers. But we share the same philosophy: every door can be unlocked. We decided to partner up on a special installment of my advice column, Ask Ellen. It’s called… Ask Alex & Ellen. Two hits of advice in one column. We hope you enjoy it!
Dear Alex & Ellen,
I got a great job about six months ago, and I am so grateful.
When I started the job, I worked extra-hard to make a really good impression.
I would arrive early — before I technically needed to. I would stay late — after everyone else had gone home. I would voluntarily work overtime (for no extra pay) and try to go “above and beyond” at every possible opportunity.
I am proud of myself for making a great first impression… but the problem is that I don’t want to work like that, anymore.
I’d like to shift into a more sustainable schedule so I don’t burn myself out.
But I’m scared that my boss and colleagues will be disappointed with me, or perceive me differently, if I start to scale things back.
Any advice, words of encouragement, a pep talk… something?
Kinda Over Overtime


Ellen says:
This is one of those good news / bad news situations.
The bad news?
Work is… work! It often takes late nights at the office, dedication and sacrifice to get the job done.
I don’t think I have ever done a job where this has not been the case.
Whether I was practicing death penalty law or running a bakery, I often worked late into the night. Especially at the very beginning of a job or a project.
The good news?
There is always a way to work a little smarter and accomplish the same amount — if not more! — in less time.
If you want to figure out how to “work smarter,” you’ll need to take an honest look at how you’re really spending your time every day — and then make some tweaks to your daily routine.
Here are some questions to get you rolling:
– How often do you waste time during the day? How many hours do you spend on Facebook, Twitter, clicking through the shiny images on Pinterest, or texting + emailing with friends?
Statistics show that the average worker really only works 5 hours a day — wasting up to 3 hours every workday on non-work related things.
(Some studies paint an even bleaker picture: just 3 hours of real work-time, every day… and 5 hours of fluff!)

Identify your personal time-wasters (we all have them!) and start to tighten the belt. This will crank up your focus and productivity, dramatically.
– Are there certain projects at work that don’t feel 100% necessary? Projects that could be simplified? Systems that could be tightened up, to save time?
Don’t be afraid to approach your manager to propose a few changes. If you’re proposing a change that saves you time, saves the company money, and allows you to perform at an even higher level… I’m sure your boss will be all for it!
– Do you walk into work each day with a clear plan? Or just kinda “wing it?” Having a plan makes a huge difference.
Try making a list each morning (or the night before) of the things you want to get done — and then schedule your day accordingly.
Only allow yourself to check your email / social media at certain times during the day.
– Do you allow yourself to take short breaks to recharge? Or do you try to “power through” the day, never leaving your desk?
Productivity expert Tony Schwartz encourages people to take a 15-minute break every 90 minutes. This rhythm has been scientifically proven to lead to better, faster work. So, don’t be afraid to take scheduled breaks throughout the day!
Getting up and walking around, stretching and popping outside for some fresh air are all excellent ways to give your brain a quick reboot.
To sum it up:

Spend some time looking at how you manage your time during your workday.
I bet you’ll find plenty of places where you can tighten things up, use your time more effectively, and finish your work even faster!
Alex says:
Wait, um… what are we talking about? I was looking at pictures of donuts on Pinterest. Just kidding.
A big “thumbs up” to everything that Ellen said.
We all have little time-wasting black-holes in our day.
It’s important to take an honest look at where you’re directing your time and energy. As Ellen points out, the good news is… there’s always room for improvement!
That being said… sometimes, highly-ambitious people get into the habit of flat-out “over performing.”
If you’re getting paid to work 40 hours a week, and you’re working 70 hours a week — really, truly 70 hours a week, not 40 hours of work and 30 hours of Facebook goofery — then that’s not fair or sustainable.
If you’ve gotten yourself into a rhythm of overperforming — and you want to break the pattern — it may take some courage. But you can do it. The sooner, the better.
Approach your boss and say:
Hey.
I’ve been making an effort to track my work-hours with more precision, and I’ve discovered that I’ve been working close to 70 hours a week on a pretty regular basis.

Starting this week, I am going to be more mindful about how much time I’m spending at the office.
So, if you notice me going home at 5pm instead of 8 or 9pm… that’s why.
I’m still 100% committed to this position, but I’m going to try to strike more of a balance between ‘work’ and ‘the rest of my life’. This will be a challenge, but I know it’s important to do. I’m sure you can relate. Thank you for understanding.
If your boss gets angry or insists that you keep working overtime… well, is that really someone you want to work for, in the first place? Probably not.
One last thing to remember?
You will never clear your desk 100%. There will always be “something” that could be completed, refined or perfected.
It is important to stop working at a reasonable time, go home and leave the rest for another day.
By doing so, you’ll be taking good care of your mind, body and spirit… and over the long haul? You’ll do much better work.
With love, times two,
Alex & Ellen
Image: Willie Franklin.