It can be easy to say you’ve finished for the day and you’re not going to pick that laptop up again until tomorrow morning, yet before you know it, you have decided to reply to just one more email. Before you even realize it’s time for bed and your evening has completely gone. Does this sound like something you can relate to? Because if the answer is yes, then chances are you are probably a workaholic!
- Work late
If you are often finding yourself taking work home and working late, then the chances are that you need to take a step back and evaluate what you are doing. It is important to set clear boundaries over work hours and ensure that you stick to them. You must have these boundaries to ensure you get time away from work; you need time for your brain to switch off from work and let your brain reset.
- Checking
If you are actively checking your emails and messages at times, such as in the middle of the night, you’re really not switching off effectively from work. You should switch off from work and not go actively checking emails because you know you won’t be able to resist replying at times when you should be relaxing with your family, watching a movie, or simply doing anything that you find relaxing.
- Holidays
If you have a stack of holidays ready to be taken but keep putting them off because you’re “too busy,” then this is a certain sign you need to take some of your holiday days. It is important to take extended periods of time away from work; even if you have a staycation, it can allow you to fully reset your mind and prepare you for when you find yourself returning to work.
- Sleep
Sleep is essential for the body and the mind; you cannot reach your full potential when running on empty. Sleep helps to effectively charge and reboot your mind and body, which is important if you want to be at your best and reach your full potential at work. You mustn’t wake up and check your emails in the night, something will inevitably get under your skin, and you will find yourself wide awake and replying to an email at 4 in the morning.
- Definition
It would help if you always remembered that there is more to life than work. You are defined by more than just your work, the amount of money you earn or the amount of praise you get for working so hard. Whilst this is great, it is important to have more balance in your life if you focus on and are defined by your work the other areas of your life will get impacted. You may find yourself sacrificing valuable time with people to meet deadlines or spend time focusing on more work.
