[lousken]

Where is gym time, where is family time, where are interests not related to work?

The entire approach seems wrong, dedicate 40 hours a week and optimize that time as much as possible. Improve and learn your tools (add new if needed), environment, optimize how you work and when.

[AstroBen]

I see nothing wrong with short-term intentional imbalance. They're not talking about sustaining 100 hours a week long term

[lousken]

Yes, but still. I am trying to point out that it's better to have a routine than this kind of imbalance. If you gonna do 100 hours one week, it's likely you'll do 0 week after.

[AstroBen]

I fundamentally disagree. Life isn't as neat and packaged that consistent hours for anything make much sense

If it's horrible weather and your family are busy with something do you forgo doing something productive because you've already met your balance amount?

If you're mentally drained or slept terribly do you do your 8 hours anyway even if you'd be better off taking time off that day? (I know this doesn't make sense if you can't dictate your hours, but just for arguments sake)

When I'm excited about a project I can put in a tonne of hours very productively and don't have drop-offs the next week

I just look at it as a set of shifting priorities, and don't put work over health or relationships