Do you catch yourself and other designers cribbing about how overworked they are? Our generation is becoming obsessed with work, busyness and productivity. We feel, being busy makes us look important and mighty. Glorifying extra working hours is viewed as true dedication towards work. With this mindset “hustle and bustle” is applauded in the world of designers.

As a society, are our values shifting more from one to the other? Where did this obsession with work come from? Do we reward overwork differently than we reward rest? Do we prize rest, or do we wear a golden badge of exhaustion?

With the outbreak of work from home, the trend of never clocking out has reached its limit. It has become important to break this ever-going cycle, and look at factors that fare the glamorization and habit of overworking!

1. Overtime is a short-term solution, not an everyday expectation

‘Overtime’ was a clause that was first introduced for workers to complete their required weekly hours in case of other commitments during working hours. But in the current times, it is exploited as a symbol for employee devotion, that all professionals seek to attain. Research has proved that a person can work efficiently for a maximum of 6 hours a day, the extra time afterwards does not prove to be productive in the long run.

2. Overwork as a measure of success or social status

Bragging about sacrificing sleep and personal welfare in exchange for long working hours to advance careers is one of the key factors. The busier the person is described, the higher their social status is perceived to be. The hours of work have left behind the output of work. Rather than success achieved, employees who work longer are glorified and set up for promotions.

3. Promoting hard work as a means to productivity and efficiency

Instead of hard work being celebrated as a professional and students aspiration, it has turned into a necessity for productivity and efficiency. A professional working smartly and getting the same amount of work done in fewer hours is frowned upon as an underworking employee. ‘Time management’ has just turned into a necessary skill in the resume instead of it being used.

4. Work as a proxy for success

In this work-obsessed culture, as long as you’re working hard, you’re on the right track. Even if you are not attaining any success through it, ‘the hustle’ has become the proxy for success. The feeling of guilt, when we aren’t dedicating every waking minute to work, has distracted professionals from assessing their career path. They have fallen back on the reassurance that hard work will eventually pay off in the end.

5. Normalising the trade of time for money

The craze of overwork has grown so large that regular people look up to people that willingly exchange their time for money. The stars of the team who overworked and did not have time for their family and friends are boasted. This never-ending marathon to earn money every moment of the day can lead to disappointment, health problems, and burnout.

Whatever the reason, next time you find yourself claiming to be too busy, ask whether you’re really too busy or you just want to look important. In the current pandemic times, with heightened anxiety and depression, spending time with self and family is utmost important. Before you take on an extra assignment that you don’t have time for, ask yourself whether perceived social status is more important or a night off and your wellbeing.

Always remember “A healthy life, is a wealthy life”