Being dedicated to your career, and having a sense of urgency for getting your to-do list accomplished are two extremely admirable traits — but is it necessary/healthy to work 100+ hour work weeks?
Let’s take a look at some of the effects your workaholic mentality is having on you, and how to address this mindset moving forward.
You’re always available.
Mobile devices, tablets, and a number of other advances in technology have given us all complete access to our documents and email accounts, as well as any other work related information we might need. While this is a huge step forward in terms of convenience and accessibility, it is actually a step back in our attempts to formulate a healthy work-life balance. Making yourself available 24/7 in any type of career will not only be exhausting, but will take away from the downtime and other activities that you should be enjoying in life. It is just as important that you give yourself leisure/relaxation time, as it is to hit that 5 P.M. Friday work deadline. Work hard, but don’t forget the importance of downtime.
Health problems.
Not only does overworking yourself take away from your much needed free time, but can also have many negative effects on your health. Overwork has been linked to depression, diabetes and even heart disease.
Being tired hinders work performance.
Lack of sleep/exhaustion can have negative impacts on efficiency, burnout, and even cause injury. It is important that you make sure you’re getting between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. While it may seem like this isn’t possible with your schedule, figuring out how to manage your time efficiently enough to make this possible will show a number of positive effects over time.
More harm than good.
Studies have shown time and time again that overworking is linked to detrimental effects on our productivity and ability to execute at our highest level. Are your excessive work hours helping you meet deadlines, or pushing you closer and closer towards burnout? Food for thought.
Let’s chat.
Burnt out and looking for a career change that will give you the freedom and flexibility you desire? It could be time to take a look at business ownership and the numerous benefits that being your own boss could create for you. FranNet has a great track record of assisting individuals on their path to entrepreneurship, and one of our franchise experts would love to provide you with guidance free of charge. Sound like something you might be interested in? Get started here.