Is everyone else pretending they’re drowning in work?

[Shareadog]

I’ve worked in office jobs for about 25 years, and I’ve always wondered: do people in self-directed, knowledge-based roles actually spend 37-40 hours a week actively working?

I almost never have, the only exceptions have been during major pitches. However, I’ve consistently received strong reviews and positive feedback. I was promoted last year.

In my current, fairly senior role, I’m regularly praised for both the quality and speed of my work and I definitely don’t avoid taking on extra work or projects. Maybe I’ve just been unusually lucky with manageable workloads, but after this many years that seems unlikely.

I’m not off doing anything exciting—I’m available and responsive—but there are decent stretches when I just don’t have much to do.

Everyone else around me constantly complains they’re drowning, overworked etc.

Am I the weird one, or is everyone else stretching the truth about how busy they are in these type of senior roles?

It may not be your personal case, but it is the case of many many others with the same attitude.

You do not need to lie to anyone if they ask how you are, at least you are hiding something. You lie, so you are hiding something. It is simple. And do not try to complicate it.

Oh yes the professionally busy. They are irritating. I think it depends how old you are how long you’ve been in your job. I’m more getting paid for my skills than output now I’d say so I can add value by being there and giving advice rather than doing. But I’ve put some long hours in over the past 20 years so I don’t feel guilty. And I’m not doing gods work. I could get made redundant tomorrow and nothing catastrophic would happen at work, I think when we realise that it does make you think why am I killing myself.

Yes. Drowning. And not due to lack of being organised /prioritising. Drowning even when prioritising. It's a highly technical job and there are just far fewer of us that the work load requires (public sector)

We tend to be immune from redundancy rounds though because everyone can see how stretched we are

I don't work hard...no need as I've automated probably 70% of my role.

Do I care or feel guilty that I'm not"working hard"? No. I'm paid for my knowledge and experience, not per piece produced 🤷

Totally agree OP! I work at a fast pace but never in several jobs have felt overworked. In my experience a lot of people do a lot of time wasting, asking questions, clarifying but I just crack on.

Drowning most days and just staying afloat. Civil service.

I have a knowledge based role, of a subject people hate. They're so happy to have me to rely on that they don't care if I'm not always busy. I'm adding AI qualifications because everyone wants someone else to tell them how to do it right.

I've and a caseload this year which has been a slog, but I'm looking forward to be back to very little afterwards.

But I've worked in systems improvement before, and have never come across a process I couldn't trim the fat on - usually time and money both.

I’ve never drowned in work or felt that stretched. Got promoted faster than anyone else throughout my 20s and 30s. Now mid forties, my last salary was 145k. I’m self employed now and still not drowning.

My job is very much expertise based so maybe that’s why?