I'm in the Navy and I work on average, 14 hour days. That doesn't include underway periods which are anywhere between 16 hour days and 22 hour days. I am saying

I'm in the Navy and I work on average, 14 hour days. That doesn't include underway periods which are anywhere between 16 hour days and 22 hour days. I am saying this in complete seriousness and honesty. It sucks most of the time but the reason most people take issue with the number of hours they work is because of the lack of discipline. For computer work, I will admit to having "my cup of coffee" but I keep my Reader count low (done by reading when I get up) and on top of my email so there is little to distract me. Also don't feel bad because programmers tend to work differently then the rest of the world, we work in massive bursts not steady streams. The best thing to do is to leave work when you are not "bursting" and go do something else. If you employer has a problem with it, explain to them how it benefits them this way, if they still have a problem with it, do it any way...It's better to beg for forgiveness then ask for permission.