Working Overtime = Regrets

Why does an employer expect you to work hundreds of hours more than they pay you for?

Why do employees feel that they have to work overtime just because it is expected of them?

This unhealthy relationship of demand and supply = Problems

I cannot believe I committed this sin!

I worked overtime on my first ever job in the real world. I saw my co-workers getting better benefits than me, and so to stay competitive while still living with some semblance of dignity, I worked extra hours.

But it wasn’t the paycheck or the commute that got to me — it was what I lost when working overtime. The people who mattered most never had a chance to see me anymore, not even at night. It was as if I was coming home for six-seven hours.

I know that some people genuinely enjoy their job and want to put in the extra effort, but most of them are just trying to prove something to their boss or themselves, like me!

Working more hours than you’re supposed to be is a waste of time, and it’s honestly a disgrace. Very soon in my professional career, I realized that you’re not going to get any recognition from your boss for working late every night, and you’re definitely not going to make any more money by putting in extra time.

So, what’s the point in working overtime!

Working Overtime Means Trading Life

Overtime is the antithesis of living your life to the fullest.

You’re not doing anything that will enrich or otherwise add meaning to your life. Instead, you’re pouring all your time and energy into a job that doesn’t even matter because, in all fairness, work has been getting more and more irrelevant with every passing day.

According to research, 70% of individuals do not enjoy their jobs.

There are very moments in the world where you can pause and enjoy being human beings instead of going full-throttle down a rat race where it’s a constant struggle to get ahead one step at a time while trying not to let others pass by on the way up. Overtime is one of those things you should try to stay away from as much as possible if you want to enjoy life.

When you work too much, not only are you exhausting your body, but you are also missing out on life outside of work. Think about it — all the date nights with your significant other, time at the playground with the kids, vacations to exotic places…all missed because of work!

It’s also important to note that you lose time to devote to your hobbies and various passions, and you often sacrifice sleep quality. It’s not always easy to make life choices like this, but many people find it worth the tradeoff by using lunch hours or getting up earlier in the morning to squeeze in more free time.

Ultimately, however, you should work overtime if it’s something you’re passionate about doing for a long period (note how “long” is subjective) without regrets!

Working Overtime Means Losing Worth in Your Everyone’s Eyes

Working overtime is a selfish act.

It hurts not only you but also the ones who depend on you— loved ones, family, friends, spouses, etc.

You’re also putting your co-workers behind in their tasks and duties because they need to pick up the slack when you stay late and arrive early.

I know what people will say: “If I’m doing my job well, why would my company not want me to put in extra hours?” That’s an acceptable statement, but do you honestly think that working more than necessary will make anyone at your company look twice at you?

The sad reality of things is that working overtime makes it easier for employers to replace you with someone willing to work the hours they’re allotted without putting in any extra time.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t work hard, but working long hours for consecutive weeks only to prove a point diminishes the value of your time and effort.

In addition, it also makes it look like you’re desperate for attention or approval, which most employers see as a sign of weakness.

It’s important to maintain a healthy relationship with your boss where they see you as an asset and not just someone who is expendable.

Working Overtime Means Losing Self-Worth

Humans need meaning and purpose from their work.

Regular income from a job can give us that as it provides a sense of control, having a hand in generating goods or services that other people need.

In this way, our self-worth, competence, and worth as human beings are tied up with generating value for other humans through altruistic work.

However, overtime comes at the cost of wages. It represents a loss of one’s sense of self-worth — they might feel undervalued by their employer (which could easily be an extension of their own low opinion on themselves), they miss out on family time with loved ones (which again ties in with feelings about oneself), and most importantly they feel as if they are not in control of their life and are instead at the mercy of an employer.

There is growing evidence that working excessive hours damages your mental health, as you feel a constant sense of guilt for not spending enough time with your loved ones or working when you should be resting. This can result in depression, anxiety, and burn-out syndrome.

Before You Go

I would like to hear from you…

Do you have a hobby or an outside interest?

If not, focus on one. It’s too easy to spend your whole life working and never getting to see the world around you.

How many times has your boss urged you to work late to do the tasks he promised he’d do himself?

Those late hours are nothing more than incompetence and unfulfilled promises.

Working overtime once in a while is good for morale. However, overtime should not be taken for granted; it takes away your life for free.

The benefits of working overtime are short-lived; you might feel great after finishing the task, but the following day when the normal routine resumes, all good feelings dissipate, and you’re left exhausted.

There’s a saying — “The speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack” — so it’s not about convincing people to go against their instincts on this issue.

You must care for yourself first!