The Work Treadmill

It's all too easy to fall into the daily grind. You might find yourself engrossed in tasks, only to realize hours have slipped away. If this resonates with you, know that you're not alone.

Statistics show that 59% of American employees experience burnout, while the global figure stands at 44%, according to Gallup’s 2023 State of the Workplace Report. Burnout is a genuine concern, especially when it creeps in unexpectedly. While occasionally working beyond your normal hours may be acceptable, making it a habit can have severe long-term consequences.

Here are my top five strategies for addressing workaholism:

1. Cultivate Self-Awareness

Recognizing your habits is the first step. We often think we know ourselves well, but there’s much we overlook. Why do we fall into these routines? They form over time through repetition.

It takes about 21 days to establish a new habit and approximately three months to break an existing one. If you're consistently working excessive hours, consider asking yourself some critical questions:

• Why am I putting in so many hours?
• Whose deadlines am I prioritizing?
• Are these deadlines genuinely necessary?

Conduct a time audit to evaluate your work activities and the time spent on them.

2. Prioritize Self-Care

As a strong advocate for self-care, I believe it’s essential at all levels—personal, familial, professional, and societal. Taking care of your mental and physical health reduces the likelihood of stress-related absences and enables you to contribute positively to your surroundings.

Self-care can take many forms; it doesn't have to involve traditional methods like massages or solitude. It’s about finding what resonates with you personally.

3. Reassess Your Personal Goals

How frequently do you revisit your objectives? Regularly reviewing your goals helps you maintain focus and align with what truly matters. This practice can also help you manage work commitments effectively, encouraging you to break your goals into achievable tasks.

4. Consider Coaching

Even as an Executive Coach, I have my own coaches. They challenge me and keep me accountable to my commitments. Coaches can help with:

• Self-Awareness: Understanding the motivations behind your actions.
• Goal Setting: Crafting actionable plans.
• Accountability: Keeping you focused and empowered.
• Progress Review: Evaluating what works and what doesn’t.

5. Engage in Non-Work Activities

Just as a theater's curtain call signifies the end of one act and the beginning of another, it’s crucial to transition from work to personal life. Embrace your personal interests with the same enthusiasm you bring to your job.

Remember, your career is just one facet of your life. Striking a balance between work and personal wellbeing is vital. Cultivating hobbies and spending quality time with loved ones enriches your life outside of work, fostering a sense of fulfillment and resilience.

Parting Thoughts

Learn to make time work for you, rather than the other way around. Adding buffer time to your schedule can prevent work from encroaching on personal time. Many individuals struggle with guilt over not spending enough time with family or on self-care, but it is essential to recognize that you are the best judge of your needs. Achieving a balanced work/life dynamic yields significant benefits both now and in the future.

Thank you for your time. For more insights, feel free to follow me.

Pervin

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