Take your hands away from the keyboard. Close that laptop. And go home.

Yes, I know, you love your work. And yes, there will be times when you work until the wee hours to finish something that’s really important, or work a little bit longer to finish up something for your colleagues on the other side of the planet. I understand all that.

But really! You should go home. Those little ones of yours — the furry four-legged kind, and the young human ones? — they really would like to see you. You should really see them. They won’t be there forever.

And that other one? Remember, the one that fusses at you when you work overtime? That one is going to be there when the company is just another line on your resume. That one is going to be there when you’re sick and can’t work. That one is going to be your playmate on vacation and when you retire. And let’s face it, that one fusses at you because they want to be with you. That one loves you.

So go home.

Don’t argue with me. You’re no good to that company or project that you’re so dedicated to if you burn yourself out. And if you’ve overcommitted yourself, you’re not helping the company — not in the long run. In the long run, Life is going to strike. You’ll get sick. Some family emergency will come up. Or worse, you’ll end up in a situation where you can’t deliver no many how many hours you work. Or even worse than that, that sweetheart I talked about — the one that loves you? — will give up on you, walk out, and you’ll be a basket case for a very long time.

So go home, my friend.

P.S. Yeah, I know that talking to yourself can be a sign of mental illness. But this self-talk is the good kind.