Those Long Long Hours: Extreme Psychic Rewards

 In elite professional services - the McKinseys, JP Morgans, Paul Weisses - very long hours are standard. 

On professional anonymous networks such as Reddit, Fishbowl and Glassdoor, you encounter the complaints about those hours. But in actual life there is often boasting about enduring such a brutal capitalistic ritual. 

Of course, there are rewards for putting in those hours. For example, Paul, Weiss has been known to go beyond the usual seasonal bonuses. One year it provided off-season bonuses for the "committed," that is those who were able to transform the long hours into myriad billable ones. This year, in addition to the seasonal bonus it added on a special one to be paid before Christmas. For those who "contributed" the most there will also be a discretionary bonus in early 2026.

But that's only one kind of award. There can be another: the psychic play-out of belonging, purpose, sense of a professional self, assurance of being needed, ability to override social mandate to be well-rounded (you know, develop hobbies) and the illusion of work security. That psychic reward cluster may or may not be part of the work experience in the top-tier professional services. 

I first encountered that kind psychic gestalt when I was poached from GM by Chrysler to save thousands of American jobs and restore the US auto industry to being top dog in world trade. Yes, that was the famous turnaround by the Lee Iacocca team. 

The syndrome became apparent to me when I participated in showing job applicants around. The stunner was this: One bluntly asked: "Why is everyone talking about all the hours they work. We do the same at my company but we don't go around talking and talking about it. That's what you do. Nine to five doesn't get you ahead."

What tumbled out of me was the reality of what we were deriving from coming in at 7 AM and usually not exiting into the Michigan snowy winter until 11 AM: That was specialness.  In words I put it this way: "We have to feel important."

And, that's exactly why the retired and semi-retired I coach suffer. Without long hours they no longer feel important. No sense of an exceptional self. Some long to be free of all that but first, as I explain in this article, they need my permission to "do nothing." Ah, to sit on the rocks for hours, observing the water.

Well, in this late-stage capitalism, defined by cost-efficiency and other threats to employment, more are being blessed with the gift of long long hours. They can enjoy insulation from life as it had been lived way back in history. But even in earlier times there were those who understood the rewards. In the medieval "Canterbury Tales," author Chaucer satirically depicted the lawyer who made it his business to come across as quite busy.

Confidential tips welcome.

Thrown off your game, maybe the first time since you started working? You made all the right moves and then the world moved in another direction.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.