How Much Work?

How much work actually gets done in a day?

Is that salary really indicative of how much she's done?

I'm sure she comes in when things are hectic and there is so much to get done that she can barely think straight. Everything is due yesterday and she is compelled to plow through tons and tons of actual work making for a most productive day. As a result, she knows of her potential to really tackle tasks and earn her pay, perhaps even amazing herself at how much crap she can accomplish when she puts her mind to it. She knows when stuff HAS to get done, it gets done. And the time flies. And her ego soars.

But she's worked there forever. She knows what must be done to avoid getting any shit from above just as she knows what can be put off, when she can slip in late or sneak out early. Its just a matter of knowing the system.

As a result, it more common for her to spend the first 20 minutes to an hour checking personal emails, looking up her Ebay auctions, reading the news and checking and writing blogs. After which, of course, she will get around to the work-related voice mails, emails and returned calls before diligently working until about 10:45 when the lunch plans begin. A stop at a coworkers desk is in order for some discussion about her kid, their kids, money issues, the weather, vacation, car problems, her shitty husband or to bitch about all the work she must get done. Of course that IS work. Bitching about co-workers or assignments is all work-related, no?

Anyway, that 45 minute conversation will get her really close to the dreamy break in the day; lunch. But, before that she will plod through some paperwork to reduce the guilty feeling about how little has been accomplished so far only to promptly head out at her pre-appointed lunch time and not a minute later. Perhaps sooner even.

Maybe she'll run an errand or go sit outside and read. Anything to unwind from the stress of the morning. Sometimes she'll eat at her desk and read or surf the 'net yet again. She must catch up on all the witty chain e-mails, jokes and pictures as well as formalize the plans for the weekend. Technically, her lunch is what? 30 to 45 minutes? Of course that can be stretched because six weeks ago she skipped lunch to finish an assignment. And then there was that time when she scarfed lunch down in the car between appointments. She's an expert at rationalizing it all, but in reality the she knows the score's not even. Its not even close.

Then she'll have a productive few hours after lunch until the sugar crash comes because she ate junk food. At about three she'll skip out to Dunkin' Donuts for an iced coffee pick-me-up only to return and skate through the rest of the day on personal phone calls, online shopping and more interoffice bitching. Oh, and she'll double-check for comments on her blog. Or triple check. Then she'll slip out ten minutes early. Or if the boss already left for the day, 20 minutes early. Again, rationalized by that time in March when she had to come in early. Twice!

Its all good though. She's quick to point out to herself that Thursday, three weeks ago when the boss called her at 6pm to ask a quick question. How about the the time she actually solved a work-related issue while in the shower at home? On HER time. They owe her. Doesn't that make it even? Is it though? Is it really?

How much work actually gets done in a day?