6 Signs Youre Working Too Hard - The Muse

6 Signs Yure Working Too Hard - The Muse6 Signs Youre Working Too Hard Dedicated. Focused. Driven. Committed.Theyre all positive adjectives that you wouldnt mind having associated with your professional reputation- nobody can blame you there. However, is there such a thing as being a little too dedicated to your career?Yes, as a matter of fact there is. While its understandable- and even commendable- that you want to give your career everything youve got, that doesnt mean you should allow it to consume your entire life.Do those words hit a little too close to home? Well, here are six signs that youre giving just a little too much to your current gig. Believe me- when people say you should give something your all, they dont actually mean you should give everything. 1. When Theres No Such Thing as Free TimeYou spend seemingly every waking moment in the office. And, when you do finally manage to escape, you use those precious hours to compulsively refresh your work email. And, the tho ught of taking a vacation? Just forget about it. The effort and resulting stress involved in being proactive with your workload would completely negate the point of your time away. If your life seems totally void of any downtime you can use to recharge and relax, thats a huge indicator that you should pull back the reins a little bit and find a little more balance. If your friends cant even remember what you look like, you know youve been chained to your desk a little too long. 2. When Youre Carrying the Entire LoadHeres the thing about being a hustler and a go-getter- the lazy people in your office can spot you from a mile away. And, as soon as you prove youre willing to scoop up that extra work and ansturm with it, youre going to find yourself with more and more added to your plate.When you think about your current work situation, are you carrying your entire team and department on your back? If youre feverishly nodding yes right now, its probably time you reevaluate, speak up, an d command some fair treatment. While its good to be a team player, you definitely dont want to turn into a doormat. 3. When All of Your Goals Are Career-RelatedYoure sitting at happy hour with your close friends, when somebody poses the question of where you all see yourselves 10 years from now. Your pals all mention their careers- but they also include families, travel, and new experiences theyd love to have.You? Well, youre so zoned in on that corner office, a big promotion, and the inevitable salary increase, that you cant even be bothered to think of anything else.Yes, having lofty career goals is definitely a great thing. But, its important to remember that your job isnt your life- its really just one piece of the puzzle. So, dont let it make up the entirety of the picture. 4. When You Cant Shut Your Mind OffYour head hits the pillow at night, and you try your very best to get some quality sleep. But, no matter how hard you try, you simply cant turn off your thoughts. Your mind keeps wandering to that meeting with your boss, that big report thats due next week, or that company event thats quickly approaching.We all have these moments every once in a while- theyre totally natural, particularly when things are stressful in the office. However, if you find yourself in this situation night after night, its a sign that you need to step back a little bit. Trust me- no amount of sheep-counting or meditation exercises will help you doze off when youre obsessing over the perfect font choice for that proposal. 5. When You Cant Talk About Anything ElseIt doesnt matter if its dinner with your friends, a catch-up phone call with your mom, or a quick conversation with your next-door neighbor- whenever you open your mouth to speak, a job update, office horror story, or work-related progress report tumbles right out of your mouth. Despite how badly you want to, you cant seem to talk about anything besides work. Well, thats an eye-opening (and somewhat humiliating) remind er that your career is beginning to overwhelm your entire life. So, keep yourself in check and start shifting the conversations- even if it just means asking a lot of questions. Believe me, your loved ones will likely welcome the break from hearing about your latest job happenings. 6. When it Impacts Your Entire AttitudeOur careers make up a significant portion of our lives- theres really no denying that. But, its important to remember that everybody still has interests, passions, and entire identities outside the four walls of the office. You job shouldnt dictate how you feel 100% of the time.However, if youre letting your career hijack your entire life, it becomes difficult to leave work in the office. Pretty soon, your job is impacting your overall outlook and coloring your perception of things that arent even remotely work-related. Take it from somebody whos been there. You know your career is consuming way more than its fair share when a bad day at work quickly snowballs into y ou snapping at your significant other for no reason and crying in your car in the grocery store parking lot- multiple times per week. Devoting yourself to your career is admirable- but only as long as you dont cross a line and let it overpower the entire rest of your life. If you recognize any of these signs and symptoms in your own current situation? Well, its time to take a step back and reevaluate your priorities. Or, take a much-needed vacation- you deserve it. OR, MAYBE YOU NEED A BETTER JOBGood thing we know tons of job openings you can apply to today.ITS AS EASY AS CLICKING THIS BUTTON