Overworking isn’t merely a byproduct of ineffective time management or inadequate work-life balance. It’s a profound, systemic, and economic issue that carries serious repercussions for the health and mental well-being of millions. In 2016, almost 750,000 individuals globally died from heart disease and strokes directly linked to extended work hours.
In spite of these alarming statistics, workplace culture continues to romanticize exhaustion. Overwork has become a badge of commitment and professionalism in a job market characterized by precarity, the gig economy, and a scarcity of stable contracts.
The pandemic and the shift to remote work exacerbated the situation. The line between personal and professional time has blurred, leading many workers to be perpetually available. Research indicates a significant increase in burnout: 52% of U.S. workers report feeling burned out in the aftermath of the pandemic, with Millennials and Gen Z being the most affected.
Moreover, financial insecurity impacts not only low-income employees; even top executives are compelled to work excessively, driven by the fear of losing income or status. Overworking serves as a coping mechanism in a world where economic or health threats can jeopardize one’s existence.
This issue is comprehensively addressed by executive coach and leadership trainer Amina AlTai in her latest book, The Ambition Trap. Through a blend of empirical research and personal insights, she illustrates how relentless ambition, survival instincts, and societal expectations create a vicious cycle that culminates in burnout.
She offers a self-assessment questionnaire for those wishing to evaluate whether they’ve fallen into the overwork trap:
- Have you grown pessimistic or defeated at work, even regarding things you once valued?
- Do you find that getting to work demands more energy and effort than it used to? Are you struggling to focus or start your day?
- Are you less patient with people you used to care about (clients, colleagues, supervisors)?
- Do you have difficulty concentrating?
- How often do you feel overwhelmed by work and commitments? (Rarely, often, very often)
- Do you still feel motivated? Have the things that inspired you lost their significance?
- Do you resort to avoidance strategies to escape discomfort (e.g., shopping, alcohol, food)?
- Are you experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or alterations in sleep and appetite?
- Do you criticize yourself for needing rest or for having unproductive periods? If so, why?
- What insights do you have about your experience with overworking and the pressure to rush?
AlTai underscores the importance of rest, asserting that we cannot sustain ourselves without it. Recognizing the underlying reasons for our incessant striving is the first step toward personal and societal change. As she articulates:
“We exist in a society designed to keep us perpetually busy. Yet it is only in moments of rest that we can recall why we began this struggle in the first place.”
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