My Father Worked 90-Hour Weeks—Did It Really Make Life Better?
"90-Hour Work weeks? I’ve Seen What That Really Means."
When I hear industry leaders talk about 70-hour, 90-hour workweeks, telling us that working more is the key to success, I don’t just see a number.
I see my dad.
He is a government police constable—a man who worked more hours than I could count. He worked every festival, every late night, every weekend, sometimes even in forest searching for Naxalites and their camps. Diwali came and went, but he was always on duty. As a child, I never understood why he wasn’t home. I waited. I watched other kids celebrate with their families. I told myself, "Maybe next year." It repeated.
The Middle-Class Struggle: When Hard Work Isn’t Enough
People talk about hustle and sacrifice, but they forget what it really means. My father’s sacrifice wasn’t about chasing wealth or ambition. It was about survival.
He worked long hours not for luxury, but just to give me and my brother a basic, good education and a decent life style.
He missed birthdays and anniversaries not because he didn’t care, but because duty always came first.
He loved us, but love in a middle-class family often looks like sacrificing time for responsibility.
He never complained. He never said, "I’m tired." But I could see it in his eyes when he came home late, when my mother waited for him, when we had dinner without him in copious times. He worked tirelessly so we could have a better life, free from the struggles he endured.
And now, as he approaches retirement this year, I see a different kind of exhaustion in his eyes—not from work, but from the weight of time lost. He sometimes says, "I wish I had spent more time with the family."
It’s a sentence that stays with me, because it’s a reminder of what work took from him—and what it continues to take from so many of us.
During their visit to NY-Statue of Liberty.
And now, when I hear a few leaders say, "70 - 90 -100-hour workweeks will make India successful", I can’t help but ask:
What kind of success are we talking about?
Is it worth it if we miss the moments that truly matter?
If hard work alone was enough, why did my father never get to enjoy the fruits of his labor?
I’m Not Here to Criticize, But…
I know I might not be at a level to question these industry leaders. They have built empires, shaped industries, and created an impact that few can match. I have immense respect for their achievements and admire their vision.
But I also know what it feels like to be on the other side of the table: To be the one missing out. The side where long hours mean missing out on moments that will never come back. I’ve seen it firsthand with my father, and now, as I navigate on my own journey, I am worried on such instances.
It’s not that I don’t believe in hard work—I’ve built my career on it. But when I hear calls for 70-hour or 90-hour workweeks, I wonder: Are we truly working for success, or are we just following an old blueprint that leaves no room for life outside work?
Because in the end, no matter how high we climb, no title, no paycheck, and no achievement can ever replace lost time with the people who matter most.
From a Middle-Class Kid to CTO: The Real Lesson in Leadership
I’ve worked countless weekends, late nights, and early mornings—not because someone forced me to, but because I believed in what I was building. Hard work was never just an expectation; it was something I embraced. In many countries and cultures, 'Work is Worship' is a deeply rooted belief—hard work is seen not just as a duty, but as a virtue, a path to dignity, and a way to honor one’s purpose.
But what made the difference for me? I wasn’t just clocking in hours to prove something. I worked because I genuinely believed that hard work is necessary—not just to grow, but to truly make an impact. Putting in the extra hours wasn’t about obligation; it was about pushing myself to be better, to build something meaningful, and to live up to the values I grew up with.
I’ve been fortunate to grow beyond those struggles and build a career in technology, leadership, and AI. Today, as a CTO, I still put in the hard work. There are late nights, tough decisions, and high expectations.
But here’s what I’ve learned: success isn’t just about hours—it’s about impact.
I’ve had the privilege of working with a visionary CEO and a company that values outcomes over just grinding hours. I’ve seen firsthand that the best leaders don’t just demand more work; they create an environment where people can do their best work. (My mentor often reminds me, 'Mahesh, take rest—don’t work over the weekend unless it’s truly needed.)
Great companies/bosses push you to be better—but they also recognize that burnout doesn’t build innovation, and exhaustion doesn’t drive excellence.
AI, Work, and What Really Matters
Today, we have AI, automation, and tools that optimize so much—yet, instead of leveraging them for smarter work, the mindset remains unchanged: more hours mean more success.
Middle-class families have spent generations working endless hours just to stay afloat. Shouldn’t we be building a future where our children don’t have to live the same struggle? Maybe the real question isn’t whether we should work 70 or 90 hours. Maybe it’s whether we should keep measuring success in hours at all.
Because if all we do is work, grind, repeat, what exactly are we working for? I still believe in giving my best, in putting in the effort. But I also believe in something:
✅ Time with loved ones
✅ A life beyond work
✅ Success that doesn’t come at the cost of everything else
So, when people say 90 hours will make you great, I say: It depends.
Will it make you rich? Maybe
Will it make you successful? Possibly
Will it make you happy? That’s the real question.
Because I’ve seen what a life of endless work really looks like—and it doesn’t always lead where you think it will.
I love my parents, my wife, my kids, my friends, and my work—each holds a special place in my life. Nothing is more or less; their importance shifts with time and need, but they all matter deeply to me.
The Final Question
I’m not saying hard work isn’t important—I live by it. But maybe it’s time we redefine success. Not by the hours we work, but by the lives we touch and the impact we have on them.
What do you think? Is working more hours the only way to succeed? Or is there a better way? Food for thoughts, let me know.
These are my personal thoughts and experiences, shaped by my journey and the sacrifices I’ve seen firsthand. My intent is not to question or undermine anyone’s perspective, but to share a different side of the story—one that often goes unheard. If any of my words come across differently, know that they come from a place of reflection, not criticism- son of a selfless father.