Do you worry that everything will collapse when you take time off? It might be a sign of work addiction. In this episode, Mari-Liis and Laura from Powerful Marketers explore the increasing problem of work addiction in society and how technology has allowed us to be connected 24/7, essentially leading to feelings of disconnection. They provide insight on how to identify work addiction and how to help yourself if you are struggling with it.
Work addiction is a real problem that affects up to 30% of the population. It can be identified by two main symptoms: not wanting to go to work when at home, but not wanting to go home when at work; and constantly thinking about work related things even when on vacation. This can lead to feelings of guilt and a need to be in control. It is important to recognize these signs and take steps to address them.
The first step is to learn how to take time off. When you are on the verge of burnout, it is important to plan a vacation of at least 21 days and commit to not doing any work-related activities during that time. This can be difficult at first, as it is natural to worry about what will happen in your absence. However, it is important to remember that everything will not collapse without you and that balance is key.
The second step is to follow the rule of 8-8-8. This means that 8 hours of your day should be spent sleeping, 8 hours spent with loved ones and engaging in hobbies, and 8 hours spent working. It can be difficult to stick to this rule, but it is important to remember that working too much can lead to burnout.
Taking time off regularly is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It can be difficult to break the cycle of work addiction, but it is possible. By following the rule of 8-8-8 and planning vacations in advance, you can ensure that you get the rest you need and enjoy life to the fullest.
Quotes:
- "Are you constantly checking for work updates even during the weekend or on your evenings or on your time off?" - 00:00:13
- “You feel guilty even for not working, being at home, so you have this constant need to control." - 00:02:07
- "Rest regularly, work regularly, don't go crazy, don't work yourself to almost dying as a result because then it can lead to you burning out and you will never want to go back to work again." - 00:03:41
- "The 8-8-8 rule means that 8 hours of your day should be spent sleeping. 8 hours of your day should be spent with your loved ones, you know just relaxing or with your hobbies, and the last 8 hours should be spent on working, no more." - 00:04:19
- "We want you to encourage you to take some time off regularly to break this cycle of work addiction and to enjoy life because time goes by so quickly and if you don't do things that fill your soul with happiness and with joy then sooner or later you will break down and we don't want that for you." - 00:05:02
Timestamps:
- [00:01:03] Work addiction.
- [00:03:45] The importance of taking time off.
- [00:04:14] The 8-8-8 rule for work-life balance.
- [00:05:02] Enjoy life.