Because we’re so mistakenly interested in money, fame and status, people all over the world are working too much. Work is great, and certainly deserves the lion share of your time, but overworking will lead to dissatisfaction and frustration.
You only have so much time and energy. When you put too much attention on any one thing, something else will suffer. Sadly, the first important part of your life to suffer is that of your personal relationships. Very likely, those who are overworking also sacrifice other key areas that guarantee a better life, such as getting good sleep, taking care of your body and developing your spirituality.
Even the concept that devoting more time to work will make you more money is questionable, because research shows that long office hours translates to high inefficiency. Check out this great article in The Atlantic about it. And if you’re running your own business, then it’s very likely you can work less by assigning more responsibility to employees and third-party services. Google “Tim Feriss 4-Hour Workweek” for more ideas on this.
It doesn’t take a genius or a wise sage to know that your life is much more than work. You’re a real person with family and friends (or you should have), with a mind, with a complex machine of a human body and, though you may not yet know this well, with a deep spiritual side. All these need your attention or, more precisely, your time. And if you spend 16 hours at work, that’s just not going to happen. You’re going to lose out big time. The years will flash by, and all you’ll have to show for it are divorces, estranged children and a ruined body. The money in the bank, cars, and other toys will mean nothing. Whatever status you think you achieved will dissolve to nothing when you retire or die. You will have sacrificed the real things that bring you fulfillment and joy (connection with loved ones and spiritual growth) for things that give your life no meaning (money and status).
We need a cultural revolution to get over this overworking norm and instead value more our general wellbeing and a balanced life.
Check out my video on the topic here.