The problem with long hours is that when applied carefully and occasionally, it sometimes does work. Say I decide to finish what I was working on before leavin

The problem with long hours is that when applied carefully and occasionally, it sometimes does work. Say I decide to finish what I was working on before leaving, then run into some difficult problem, finish after midnight having completed the task and solved the problem now and forever for everyone. With those 8 extra distraction-free hours I've produced equivalent output of 3 regulation work days and 2 committee meetings. I win. The mistake one can then make is to think that this can be repeated at will by staying late all the time.