Are You Working Too Hard?
Are You Working Too Hard?
If you are asking that question, the answer is quite likely “Yes”. Consider the signs you are overworking, so that with awareness, self-compassion and hope you can take steps to thrive again.
Many cultures speak about a ‘good work ethic’, or of ‘hard work’ as a virtue. You may have grown up hearing well-meaning advice like, “If you work hard you can achieve anything,” or “You won’t get anywhere without hard work.” But what happens when the principle of ‘hard work’ is skewed? What happens when a strength, like working hard, is overdone? How do we know if we’re working too hard?
How Much is Too Much?
I can’t define how much work is healthy for you and your situation. We each have different circumstances relating to our health, family and other responsibilities. We each have different interests and activities outside of our business or workplace. Yet, if you’re reading this, you probably at least suspect that something is out of balance and needs to change. There could be subtle signs or there might be a few that are blatantly obvious (if not to you, then to your partner, friends, or colleagues). For instance, are you showering and brushing your teeth?
Whether your basic self-care has dropped away or other signs indicate you are working too hard, show yourself compassion. If you are like the clients I work with, your desire to work hard is linked to your desire to serve others, provide for loved ones, and to make a meaningful impact. It is critical to understand (and truly believe) that to accomplish your purpose and achieve important goals like these, you need to work in a way that is healthy and sustainable in the long term.
What Are The Signs?
Let’s consider eight signs of overwork. Note that some of these could also indicate underlying health conditions. Please always seek medical advice from your Doctor if you have any concerns relating to your physical or mental health.
YOU SUSPECT YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD - If you are asking yourself, “Am I working too hard?” the answer is probably ‘Yes’. What does your intuition tell you? If you are finding it hard to access your intuition, ask someone close to you. They are sure to have noticed whether you are burning the candle at both ends.
SKIPPING VACATIONS - When was the last time you took a proper holiday? Skipping or continually putting off holidays is clear evidence of working too hard. Also consider when was the last time you stopped work (that includes emails) for at least two full days in a row?
NEGLECTING PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS - Has it been a while since you caught up with your best friend? Has date night all but disappeared? Do you find you are cancelling, or worse, forgetting about, social engagements? As we mentioned earlier, it is likely you are in business to serve and support people. You no doubt believe that your close relationships are a vital part of a whole, healthy and joyful life, but does your day to day social interaction align with this value?
‘CHECKING OUT’ OR NOT BEING PRESENT - You are probably overworking if your mind keeps thinking about work even when you are supposedly ‘off duty’. Rather than being present you might find yourself ‘zoning out’ when you’re playing with your kids, or socialising with friends.
A DROP IN PRODUCTIVITY - A key objective of working harder is to produce more or achieve more. Interestingly, reduced productivity is a sign that you are pushing too hard and working too much.
NEGLECTING BASIC SELF-CARE - It should raise red flags if the intensity of your work is causing you to neglect looking after your basic self-care needs, like showering and brushing your teeth, or regularly skipping meals.
MOOD CHANGES - Another indicator of overwork is if you are getting impatient or frustrated by things that didn’t bother you before. On the other hand, you may have noticed the passion you once felt for your business is waning, or you could be losing interest in the parts of your work you once enjoyed. It is ok that your passion for your business shifts from time to time, but if these shifts seem different to what is usual for you, or are in combination with other signs, working too hard is likely part of the issue.
SLEEP DIFFICULTIES - Experiencing trouble sleeping can also be a side-effect of working too hard.
There is Hope (and Help)
If you see yourself in even a few of these signs you might be feeling overwhelmed or dejected. You may even wonder how you got here, or how to turn things around. You are not alone. I and a number of my clients over the years have worked too hard and experienced its consequences. Encouragingly we learned (or relearned) practices and strategies that helped us turn things around. Wherever you are in the continuum of hard work, you have agency over how you want to work going forward.* There is hope and there are many resources to support you to shift back into a more healthful, enjoyable and productive way of working. Show yourself compassion and take action.
If you would like reminders for simple actions you can take to restore lost energy, increase productivity, and reclaim a work life that works, read the follow-on article “Reclaim Your Wellbeing After Working Too Hard”. Along with practical tips, there are links to relevant resources.
* This is true not only for those who work for themselves. If you work for someone else assess the behaviours you control, and the ones you can influence. Speak with your boss, and others in your workplace who can help you. This is an opportunity for you to lead and model a way of working that actually works, and is better for you, your colleagues and the company’s bottom line.
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