Here's the truth about overworking

99-SECOND READ

'Do not overwork the mind any more than the body; do everything with moderation'

Francis Bacon

A 'lazy' person doesn't end up in a busy job, do they? They take an easy job, or a job where they can take it easy...

Consider the opposite of a 'lazy' person (a very hard-working person) - what kind of jobs and situations would they end up in?!

Realise that we all unconsciously create the situation and patterns in our life. So, if you overwork, it's because of your attitude, which informs the actions you take.

If you find yourself overworking, and you want to break out of this pattern, you need to understand the real reasons why! 

If you, your friends or your partner are overworking, here are the top four reasons why: 

1. They have a tendency to please people - unconsciously feeling that others won't like them if they: disagree with them, say no to their requests, challenge them, ask them to do things they won't like, ask for more (time, money, attention). Ultimately these behaviours stop people from managing others' expectations, delegating effectively, pushing back or asking for support. Because of this, their workload stacks up. 
2. They have a 'work-hard' mentality. Some people focus more on putting the work in than getting the results. In my sales career, some colleagues used to have 10 meetings a day, 20% of them resulting in a sale. I learned to have 5-10 meetings a week, with 90% resulting in a sale. I learned to qualify the leads before going to the meeting. You can end up focusing on being busy without focusing on the results - the results are what count.
3. They derive their sense of self-worth and value from their career. Some people learn as they go through education, and life, that the better they do, the more they will be loved, valued and respected. One of my clients got four A's at level, now he's a 30yo CFO. He was on a quest to prove to himself that he was good enough, working all hours, towards the next achievement. Now he knows where his self-worth really comes from. 
4. They don't have passion, meaning, learning and growth outside their career. People need to learn, grow and be passionate about things, so if they don't have that elsewhere, naturally their career takes over. If they don't have hobbies, meaningful time with their friends or partner, side projects or activities that excite and engage them, of course, they will seek that in their work. 

If you recognise these in yourself or someone else, you or they can create big change through even small actions.

Do you want to make time for important things? Do you want to feel healthier and more fulfilled in your life, and your relationships? 

If so, what is one step you could take? 

Subscribe to Work-Life Harmony Wednesdays to receive a free weekly email that will help you live a more healthy, balanced and fulfilling life.