Let’s cut to the chase here: public relations is not a 9-5 career. There are days you’ll arrive at the office at 7 a.m., not have time to eat lunch, and only leave your desk at 7 p.m. because you promised your spouse/child/roommate you’d be home for dinner. Before you go to bed, you’ll boot up and dig in to work once again.

You will be tired, up to your ears in email and tempted to dramatically relay your long, hard day to everyone you see. Don’t do it. Nobody likes the office martyr and you’re no different than every other one of your peers in a demanding communications position.

All PR pros will pull a late shift or five every now and then/weekly. The higher the profile your gig, the more hours you’ll be tethered to a phone, laptop and media source. Keep in mind that as a PR pro and communicator, this is what you signed up for–whether you’re the press secretary to the local non-profit or the President of the United States.

If you don’t have a gig that demands long hours, but you feel the need to show folks you’ll be the first one in the door and the last one to leave, here’s a thought: just because you declare your allegiance to your cubicle doesn’t mean you are working harder than the rest of the office. In fact, it often signals you are lacking in the time management department.

Just do whatever it takes to get the job done, take care of yourself and realize that there will always be those who work less and more than you. The bottom line: public relations is a profession where hard work and attention to detail really pay off, but that doesn’t mean we all want to hear about how the sausage was made.