We all face internal and external pressures to overwork. But to be fulfilled in your life and career, you need to push back against those forces. <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Understand that overwork is not necessary for professional success; if you find yourself triggered by others who believe it is, remind yourself of the truth with positive self-talk. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Be clear on your values and follow them. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus not on hustling to get ahead but on deeper goals and your craft. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Find positive role models who have secured their achievement without overworking. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Learn to ignore unreasonable requests, even when they come from the boss. </li></ul>

Pressure to Overwork: Key Ideas 

If you buy into that thinking, even just a tiny bit, you won’t be able to resist triggers, like others telling you about their overworking. This social pressure will activate your anxiety, with all the attendant emotional and physical reactions.You need to radically reject the idea that such behavior is required or even beneficial.

Understand that Overwork Is Not Necessary for Success

It’s important to specifically identify your values. Sure, most of us can agree that things like equality, justice, efficiency, generosity, bravery, autonomy, challenge, cooperation, adventure are good. However, we differ in our priorities — our most important values — and what makes us feel most like our lives and careers are meaningful and on track

Be Clear on Your Values

The behaviors and language associated with hustle culture don’t typically lead to great accomplishments. What does is the pursuit of deeper, more personal goals like knowing and understanding important phenomena, solving complex problems, or making a positive impact in society.

Reject Hustle Culture. Instead Focus on Deeper Goals and Your Craft

Simply look inside and outside your professional niche. Who inspires you by doing well without overwork, hustle, or burning themselves out? What are their approaches? Can you adapt any of them to fit your values, goals, personality, and circumstances?

Learn from Role Models

Here’s a very basic law of psychology: When behaviors are reinforced, they increase. When you ignore them, you might see an “extinction burst” — a short-term rise in the problematic behaviors — but then they will stop.If your boss is the one pressing you to overwork, that’s one of the most basic signs of an abusive work culture. Make your boundaries clear, and, if the behaviors don’t stop, consider roles on different teams or in different organizations with managers who have more realistic expectations.

Ignore Requests to Overwork

We all face internal and external pressures to overwork. But to be fulfilled in your life and career, you need to push back against those forces. First, understand that overwork is not necessary for professional success; if you find yourself triggered by others who believe it is, remind yourself of the truth with positive self-talk. Second, be clear on your values and follow them. Third, focus not on hustling to get ahead but on deeper goals and your craft. Fourth, find positive role models who have secured their achievement without overworking. And, finally, learn to ignore unreasonable requests, even when they come from the boss.