The paradigm that the harder you work the more money you make can definitely be true if that is what you choose to believe in. Working harder in terms of longer hours, fewer breaks, few days off, making work a priority over time with family – depending on your situation, this could totally work.
But it isn’t the only way.
The paradigm also exists where we can optimize our productivity by doing things from a more mindful perspective. Where we take off site lunch breaks instead of working while we eat in our office. Where we leave work early occasionally. Where we take vacations to relax and unwind and replenish our creativity.
Where we prevent burnout by taking the best possible care of ourselves, both physically and mentally.
Where we create a situation for ourselves that allows us to feel less stress, and therefore contribute to a more positive atmosphere at work.
Where we clear our mind so that we can make better decisions.
Where we allow ourselves to laugh and play while we work, creating positive energy around what we are trying to accomplish.
How Overcoming Workaholism Changed My Life
Take it from me. I spent the first four years of my life after undergrad working harder, not smarter.
I had a bad case of imposter syndrome and was a serious workaholic. I actually thought all of this was a good thing. I loved the fact that I could remain focused at work for 12 hours and get “so much accomplished”.
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I prided myself on not taking time off, skipping lunch breaks, being the first one in and the last one out.
I was missing the whole point.
Sure, I had some great results and quick promotions. But honestly? I would have had those if I chose to relax and live a little, too. The funny thing is, I never even realized how stressed I actually was. I assumed everyone with a demanding job was in the same boat. I had no idea what I was missing out on.
Mindfulness – learning to relax, clear my mind of clutter, and release negative thinking – has completely changed my life.
It has made me more joyful. More pleasant to be around. A better boss. A better employee.
I create positive energy now, and I bring it to the office with me every day.
I also bring it to sales meetings – and voila – we are landing more deals.
I used to work 12 hour days, come home in a bad mood, bring negative energy home to my husband, and release the stress with a glass of two of wine.
Not saying I gave up the wine….
But I don’t have the urge anymore to drink to release my stress. Now I drink a glass of wine or champagne to celebrate life.
Do stressful events still happen at work? Absolutely. Do I flip out? Yes. But it is limited now.
I learned to quickly snap out of these moods by shifting my thoughts. Now I don’t carry the stress from a meeting or angry customer around with me. I solve the problem, fix my mindset, and move on.
We are sacrificing more than just our time when we choose to work harder than necessary. We sacrifice our health. Stress causes between 75 – 90% of all doctor visits. It can cause anything from brain fog to death. And when you are a workaholic – it feels like you can’t stop.
Learn To Be Mindful
Being mindful is to be living fully in the moment, without being distracted or disturbed by the things going on around us.
This is, of course, something all humans naturally have the ability to do. So why is it so hard?
Meditation is a great way to train your brain to move on quickly from the negative. Read more about the benefits here.
Mindfulness can also take place in a warm bath with some lovely lavender bath salts and a sweet candle burning.
Implementing mindfulness during the work day can be as simple as taking a few deep, long breaths. This is one of my favorite Apple Watch features – it alerts me throughout the day and reminds me to breathe deep!
Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular, 38mm) – Space Gray Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band
When stressful things happen at work, focus on how to resolve the issue. If it can’t be resolved, or there isn’t anything we can do about it at the time, take a step back. Head outside for a 5 minute walk.
What if instead of taking smoke breaks everyone took a “mindful” break instead?!
Find a space to be alone for a few moments – or put in some headphones – and blast a favorite high vibe song!
Mindfulness should truly start and end your day, too. Before going to sleep, in my journaling, I write 3 things that went well today and 3 things I am excited for the next day. When I wake up, I think about these 3 things again. Don’t allow yourself to wake up and automatically start dreading your day!
Find Your Joy
Once you are able to start off your day in high vibes, good vibes, positive vibes, you now have the opportunity to carry these with you. Why bring negative energy into the workforce? Your energy affects your job just as much as your hard work.
Take a few minutes to write a list of all the things that bring you joy. Is it listening to music? Playing with your kids? Walking your dog? Dancing around like a crazy person? A hot cup of tea? Laughing?
Try to find a few things you can incorporate into your work day. How can you incorporate more laughter? Is there a way you can build in a funny story or video into your morning staff meetings to get everyone in a good mood? Wouldn’t that boost productivity and improve customer interactions?
Splurge on lunch out with a coworker or friend. Can that be arranged once a week? This can give you something to look forward to.
Once we begin implementing our joy into our workday, we’ll reap the benefits of lowered stress and anxiety, higher productivity, better energy, and an overall sense of positivity that will rub off on everyone we interact with.
Don’t forget to schedule some of that joy in your time off. Live a little! Heck, live a lot!
Sleep!
Did you know the average person would actually be happier getting one more hour of sleep per night than getting a $60,000 raise? According to the Huffington Post, many people would sacrifice upwards of 2.5 hours of sleep a night to get ahead financially, but this is actually backwards.
Getting the right amount of sleep significantly boosts health, reduces stress, cuts down on anxiety, increases energy and improves happiness.
Try a sleep experiment on yourself. Adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep to feel their best, and it is different for everyone. I personally feel my best when I sleep 7.5 hours. When experimenting, pay close attention and maybe even journal how you’re feeling with the amount of sleep you got.
Establishing a great bedtime routine can help your quality of sleep and make it easier to doze off. Meditating, deep breathing, peaceful music, journaling, and reading can be great things to put into your nightly routine.
Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration
Make sure to count your blessings and end your day with thinking only positively about the day tomorrow! No sense in stressing over what hasn’t even, or may not even, occur.
I used to lay in bed dreading all the things that could go wrong the next day. Worrying and stressing. I simply choose to not allow that into my life anymore. I am not available for that.
For me, my bedtime routine involves between a 3-10 minute meditation, followed by gratitude and manifestation journaling. I get myself into such good sleep vibes that I’m ready to relax!
It is hard to believe I was ever an over-stressed, anxious, negative person. You can change all of these things for yourself too. It just takes choosing your health, happiness and energy over anything else – and knowing that it can only boost your success.
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