I agree. Working a lot and chasing the money all the time takes me away from what is truely important in life, my family. Worked and lived away from home for the first three months of the year and spent the next three months at home doing shop work and was happy. Bored of handrail but happy that I could do whatever I wanted with my kids while they were on break. I can live on very little and be happy, keep the bills paid, some money in the bank and my yearly vacation to the gulf(I hope) and I'm happy. My Grandpa always had a small business, don't remember him EVER working for somebody since as far back as I can remember. Back in the late 70's until he passed about 2 years ago. He never had the latest and greatest cars, house, toys but he was always happy and relaxed. I guess since I spent so much time around him and working my arse off for the last 10 years non stop and now kinda taking control I can see and feel the difference.
I can hang with the best of them, all day, everyday as long as you want, ask Tommy about our 16 hour days!! But, in the end it's only money, gone without all the fancy toy b.s half my life. Won't bother me not to have it for the next half. I could stand to work, 3, 4 months away from home, non stop money making but I can guarantee you that I won't be going anywhere for the next 3-4 months and will be home doing whatever I want living off the money I made. I can work my tail off, have the fancy car, truck, whatever but I'd rather know that I can go see my kid's b-ball games, take them to the pool, the river, see graduation or awards things, whatever, it's well worth it.
Overtime or overworked has it's limits in my book.