5 Signs You’re Suffering from Work Martyrdom
If you’re like many employees, then you devote a lot of time and energy to what you do — but it’s worth it.
Those projects just couldn’t get done without your expertise.
Besides, the thought of going away for a break is too much of a hassle. You would feel completely guilty, leaving your coworkers in the thick of it.
All of this effort will be worth it in the end when you get that promotion. Or will it?
Everyone wants to do work that they find relevant and meaningful. However, what happens when that dedication goes too far, and you suffer from work martyrdom? This condition is when you sacrifice everything, including even your health and sanity, for your job.
Here are five signs that you’re suffering from work martyrdom.
1. You Never Take a Break…Ever
One telltale sign that you struggle with work martyrdom is that you never take a break from work.
A great example is a vacation. When was the last time you took a week off and went somewhere? If you are scratching your head, unsure of what to say, there’s your answer.
Yes, your work is essential, and what you do fulfills a critical role for the team and your organization. However, everyone needs to take a break. It’s not possible to keep going on and on without time to recharge and refresh. Forgoing breaks makes you less capable of doing your job well in the long run.
2. Having Poor Remote Boundaries
So many people work from home. Although it is convenient, skipping the daily commute into the office often blurs the boundary between work and home considerably.
What happens is that you are always logging into your computer or working late every night. Granted, there are some times when it is necessary to put in a long day at work. However, not every day or even every week. Working all the time isn’t healthy for anyone.
3. Feeling Guilty for Missing Work
One issue that occurs for work martyrs is guilt. You feel guilty for missing work. This mindset is true even if you deserve a well-earned break. Some reasons for why this happens to you include:
You believe that you need to be at the office all the time.
Things cannot get done without you.
You don’t want to disappoint or let down your coworkers.
Or, you don’t want to let down your boss or the company.
Guilt is a compelling emotion. It drives your decision-making process. You might make specific choices that increase your productivity at the office. In the end, however, you only harm yourself.
4. Getting Nowhere Despite All the Effort
Have you been putting in long hours at work every week for a couple of years now? Were you hoping that your efforts would be recognized? What happened when you put in for that promotion and didn’t get it?
The result is that you are spending a lot of effort and not seeing any results. This situation makes it seem like you are “spinning your wheels” or are “stuck” in a dead-end job. Your supervisors may even think that you like what you are doing so much or are so good at it, they don’t want to promote you out of your current role.
5. When You Sacrifice Everything for Your Work
Sacrificing “everything” means exactly that — everything. For example:
Your health suffers from a lack of exercise and a poor diet.
The kids are always missing you at soccer games or recitals.
You and your partner are drifting apart from one another.
By devoting everything to your work, you leave little time or energy for other things.
Your work is not and should not be the only defining characteristic of your life. It ought to be one part of a larger picture of who you are. Having meaningful relationships, positive experiences, and living a healthy life are all part of that picture.
If you are interested in getting help from a career counselor, please reach out to my office today.
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