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What most of us think is that we have to work hard to succeed. Americans are regarded as workaholics to the extent that excessive and obsessive labour has become the norm.
Many of us don’t stop to consider the toll that putting in so much labour has on us. However, research indicates that overworking oneself can have detrimental effects on one’s physical and emotional well-being.
As you read through these early signs of stress from overwork, keep in mind both you and your staff. If they seem familiar, think about how you might start changing the standards so that everyone in your company may continue to be productive without compromising their health and well-being.
persistent irritation. Cranky behaviour is a symptom that something is wrong and frequently indicates an imbalance within. Are expectations and workloads making people unhappy and irritable?
feeling that your efforts are never sufficient. Do you have a persistent feeling that you’re not doing enough? Do you feel like you can’t even take a moment to enjoy your accomplishments or realise what you’ve accomplished because you’re constantly pushing yourself to do more? If so, your job and personal lives need to be rebalanced.
needing to be on all the time. People who are overworked frequently experience pressure to be productive all day long and to be glued to their computers and other gadgets. Consider how much needless stress you’re putting yourself through if making an attempt to unwind, even for just one night, makes you feel guilty and anxious.
separating oneself from your private affairs. It will be difficult to undo the harm if you find yourself using work-related excuses to avoid doing the activities that are important to you and spending time with the people who are important to you. The time you miss out on with the people and causes in your life is something you can never get back.
sacrificing self-care. You have an issue that will seriously affect your health and well-being if you rarely leave your desk, eat junk food and takeaway, or can’t recall the last time you worked out, had a decent night’s sleep, or even went for a stroll. You need to maintain your physical well-being in order to be productive over the long run.
You already know what needs to be done if overworking yourself is negatively impacting your relationships, life, and physical and mental well-being. Now stop it. Sayings like “I’ll start taking care of myself after this project is complete” or “I’m only working this hard until my promotion comes through” should not be tolerated. Take the necessary actions to ensure that you and everyone in your organisation have a happy and balanced life. Start today.
It’s never wise to put your health at risk in the hopes of doing something wonderful.
