Is it only me, or have you also felt the pressure to “suck it up and keep going” at work when you are not feeling well? Even when you are very sick?
Sometimes, I have felt it because of the circumstances with projects, goals, deadlines and teamwork spirit. Sometimes because of the abusive workplace culture and demands. But also because I put pressure on myself, even when it is not needed.
With modern technology, our life has crazy demands and impossible timelines that can make us forget why we work so hard in the first place.
As a result, we let aside family, personal, leisure and fun time in the name of efficiency and productivity. Well, we do that until we hit some severe illness or burnout and discover that leisure time makes efficiency and productivity (healthily) possible in the long term.
Also, from a young age, we internalize the idea that if we “work hard,” we can compensate for our insecurities or get our needs met.
For example, if I work hard and do well at school, my parents will give me positive attention, which means they love and value me. If I work hard, I will be someone important and successful. But, if I don’t work hard enough, I am looser. (Spoil alert: it may never feel like we work hard enough until we collapse.)
Moreover, insecurities about not being “good enough,” “valuable enough,” “worthy” are handy tools for “motivation” in workplaces. If you work hard enough, even if it is a soul-sucking job, you may get recognition, prize, bonus, a promotion that makes you feel important or valued – for ten minutes.
If I don’t check with myself, my ego either likes to think I am so important that the world will fall apart if I am not “doing certain tasks in a way that only I can do it.” Or, my ego feels afraid of being judged, shamed or punished for not “keeping up with everyone else who appears to be rocking it.” Both of which are BS.
The world, job and life will go on just fine if I am not here. And, when we have an honest conversation with “everyone who appears to be rocking it,” we find out that they are also struggling.
It is insane the pressure we take in!
But, something (relatively) simple can change it and be the revolution—the revolution in our lives and, I believe, in our sick culture of overwork.
Please take a look at the article I wrote about it.
If you are the overwork or workaholic type, we can work together to:
- Sort out this pressure about having to work (too) hard
- Set healthier boundaries in personal and professional life
- Define a plan to take steps towards a better work-life balance
