Technology needs to downgrade some things that went in the wrong direction

my life radically changed for the better, after becoming uncontactable outside of hours, no regrets what so ever, life is now infinitely better, you generally only get one chance at this life thing, never ever give up 'your time', ever!

I've been doing it for over 20 years now and I'm pretty happy with the balance that I have and I'm certain that I can continue the way that I operate and be more than happy with my overall life. I've probably tipped over the excesive end once or twice where Friday comes after a series of 70/80 hour weeks and I've a pretty empty tank but I know where that line is these days. But I've also not got too many more years to go before I don't "have to" do it anymore... maybe!

My work has zero impact on my personal relationships outside of having to cancel the occassional mid week dinner with a friend when I get caught on something. My family understands what pays for their home/education/holidays/clothes etc so they couldn't care less if I'm having dinner and then logging back in for a few hours midweek evenings or the odd saturday. They especially don't care if I'm checking my email in bed when I wake up or before I go to sleep while on holidays or when I'm waiting for them to get ready to go out for dinner. I don't dwell on stuff that can't be sorted out remotely and I can switch off my work brain pretty instantly when I want to. I'm pretty well equiped to compartmentalise my mind and I rarely discuss work problems at home or let it impact my mood. I work a lot but when I'm not in work mode I always try to maximise my enjoyment and time with those that I work to make happy.

Apologies if that's how it came across. I've no problem with it myself and people are entitled to be happy with what suits them. My point was intended to be about people complaining about the affordability of things or coveting things that other people can attain while also judging them negatively for the extra effort that put in to get into the position when they don't/won't do everything in their power to improve their own earning potential. I wouldn't judge people who choose to have more down time and are happy with their circumstances as a result. We all need to decide what works best for ourselves and follow that path without judgement from others.

I've worked my way up to a mid-senior level, but most of the significant changes came from changing jobs and negotiating salary and terms, not from anything I did internally at the time.

Like you I used to do 12 hour days, check mails and reply to things after hours, not claim for small expenses etc - but it still didn't stop my role being ceased (despite the requirement still existing) with only the bare legal warning and certainly nothing extra in compensation.

Luckily I found something else quickly but unless you ARE at executive/owner level, you're still just an employee and you will be gone if they need you gone regardless, and you certainly won't get (as) much internally in my experience vs changing companies