[horsecaptin]

It is possible to do 80 hour workweeks if:

- The rest of your life is exactly where you want it to be. So, this one isn't true for 99% of the population.

- You have the correct mental attitude for it. This isn't true for most of the population either.

- You are doing exactly what you want to do in life. The chance that you could be distracted by another possibility / avenue is next to nil.

None of the above are impossible asks, but they certainly unreasonable. But some managers like to ask anyway, mostly as a form of leverage. If you're foolish or desperate enough to fall for it, then well, only fools and desperate people will give you time week after week to listen to how much you hate your boss / job.

[bluGill]

It is possible for anyone to work a 80 hour week.

However is it worth it? If you are single and getting paid a lot it might be - with the idea that you save everything and retire early. If you have a social life at all (including a family) and this is a less than once a year request, taking one for the team is probably the right thing to do, but only if it really is a rare thing.

[screye]

It is not like you are getting paid more hourly for each extra your put in right ?

If what you suggest is done, then you are basically selling your youth for equivalent time with an older body.

It may even be worse, since a 50 year old you may be worth a lot more /hr than you are now. So it isn't even an equal trade.

I have struggled to understand workoholic mentality for a while. Sure you work more, but to what end. For what ?