Strategies for Exerting Effort Without the Anxiety

Strategies for Exerting Effort Without Anxiety

In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to succeed can often lead to long working hours and high stress levels. However, a growing number of young adults are starting to question this approach, as they grapple with the consequences of overwork.

Many young adults find themselves chronically overworked, stressed, and exhausted due to long work hours, skipping lunch, and taking work home at night. This gruelling pace is often driven by financial stressors such as unpaid school loans, high rents, and the cost of living. These pressures can put people in a not entirely unreasonable panic, leading them to work hard and do overtime to make ends meet.

However, it's important to recognise when work is taking over one's life. Working in overdrive can have negative effects on one's health, relationships, and self-esteem. Stress, a creation that can be managed, contributes to several health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, autoimmune diseases, depression, and anxiety.

Being strategic about tasks can lead to increased efficiency and less stress. Lean Principles, a methodology that focuses on eliminating waste within a system while delivering customer value, can help achieve this. By prioritising tasks and working smarter, rather than harder, individuals can maintain a healthier work-life balance.

Moreover, the key to getting ahead in many workplaces is to be observed going the extra mile. However, this doesn't necessarily mean working long hours. Recognizing when work is taking over one's life is important, as burning out is a potential outcome of overworking and maintaining a crazed work pace may not lead to long-term success.

It's possible to be successful without being overworked and crazed. Taking it down a notch may help achieve goals without a breakdown along the way. People do need people for love and companionship, which require time. Scheduling regular time for friends and family without agendas can help maintain these relationships.

Comparing oneself to others and feeling like opportunities have been missed can lead to unnecessary stress. It's crucial to remember that everyone's path is unique, and success doesn't have a one-size-fits-all definition. Being successful in a job often requires working hard, but it's also important to consider one's out-of-the-office life.

In conclusion, while financial pressures and the desire to succeed can drive young adults to work hard, it's essential to prioritise self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. By being strategic, recognising when to take a step back, and making time for loved ones, young adults can achieve success without compromising their health and wellbeing.