Do you often find yourself the last one to leave the office?

If long hours have become more of a rule than an exception, it's time to pause. Before you charge ahead into another overtime-filled week, let's review some crucial questions that can help you assess the sustainability of your current work habits. Understanding the "why" behind your work marathon can be a guide to a healthier, more balanced experience. 

Here are questions you should ask yourself if you work long hours. 

Is this temporary or permanent?  

If it's temporary, you can live with it. Sometimes, great opportunities require significant effort. If it's permanent, something about your business may be fundamentally unsustainable.   

What's the end game? 

All this challenging work must add up to something. What is that something?  

Am I working hard to make up for the deficiencies of others? 

Being a rescuer may make the organization weaker in the long term.  

Am I propping up a system that doesn't work well to support me? 

Your long hours may result from wasteful effort, redundancies, poor planning, or insufficient resources or technologies. You should be working to fix those problems and not prop up a sketchy system.  

Am I trying to impress someone or to gain favor? 

If so, make sure there will be a payoff. 

Am I trying to avoid my personal life?  

Work is an excellent way for some to avoid a difficult or lonely home life. More time at home and a greater focus on the full scope of your life will make you an even better employee.  

Do I work long hours because I'm motivated by guilt?  

Some people just can't give themselves a break.  

Am I working long hours because it's a habit that's hard to break? 

People who work long hours for extended periods develop unproductive habits and forget how to work successfully in a more normal working environment.  

Do I go to work in the morning with the assumption that I'll be working long hours?  

If you do, you'll find that the work will continually expand to fill the time you've committed to put in.  

Is there a real and substantial financial benefit to all this hard work?  

You should get the value received for the value provided. Make sure you do.  

Are the people I work with guilted or otherwise stressed by my heroic efforts?  

If you're the team hero, you'll create negative energy with people who don't want to try to keep up with you.  

Is my relationship with technology dysfunctional? 

Try turning off a device for a while. You may find things function well without you.  

What's your takeaway from looking into the why of your work habits?

If you've noticed patterns that might not serve you well, consider this a sign to make changes. It's not just about keeping your foot on the gas pedal; sometimes, the real skill lies in knowing when to hit the brakes and refuel. 

Photo by Cris Saur on Unsplash