Working hard and wanting to do well at your job is important, However, many people tend to glorify overwork, immersing themselves completely in their jobs and pushing themselves too hard.
Harvard Business Review offers the following strategies to help you intervene if you find yourself compulsively overworking.
- Reflect and acknowledge. Ask yourself: How clear and focused is my mind when I have been working long and continuous hours? How tired am I? How is my mood being affected? How are people in my life being affected?
- Listen to your body. It is ideal to work for no more than 90 minutes at a time and then take a rest. Pay attention to the signals your body is sending you regarding whether you need to recharge.
- Focus on sleep and exercise. It is crucial to renew your energy through sleep and exercise. Be sure you get enough sleep every night to feel fully rested and commit to at least 20 to 30 minutes of brisk exercise during the day.
- Pursue a nonwork activity that makes you happy. Whether it is a sport, hobby or creative project, schedule the activity at designated times each week and be sure to stick to your schedule.
