I really need to explore this problem I have. I work too much. I know, I've been talking about this issue for years, perhaps my entire life. Here are all the contributing factors I can think of, in no particular order:
I like to be productive.
I like to solve problems.
I like to create.
I like to feel competent and expert.
I feel that I owe my best possible effort to my employer in return for my salary. (Of course I have felt this regardless the amount of my salary - I worked just as hard when I made $11,500 as an advertising copywriter.)
I feel I owe the best to the client.
I am desperately afraid of failing.
I have very high standards. (Perhaps I should say, I am a perfectionist.)
My work gives shape and order to my life.
My work gives meaning to my life. (Especially as my role as mother wanes, and wife ended.)
I can be myself at work and it works, usually.
I like to please people and be praised, I often get both of these needs served at work.
So you see, there are many powerful motivators to keep working, however I am finally at a place in my life where I want to try new things. Slow down the pace of work - perhaps not the pace of my life. The problem is, besides watering and tending my yard, cleaning, doing laundry, that kind of mundane and unsatisfying stuff, I don't have a handle on what else I could be doing.
I do like planning, growing, changing, looking ahead and right now, the only future I can forsee is at work!
I like to be productive.
I like to solve problems.
I like to create.
I like to feel competent and expert.
I feel that I owe my best possible effort to my employer in return for my salary. (Of course I have felt this regardless the amount of my salary - I worked just as hard when I made $11,500 as an advertising copywriter.)
I feel I owe the best to the client.
I am desperately afraid of failing.
I have very high standards. (Perhaps I should say, I am a perfectionist.)
My work gives shape and order to my life.
My work gives meaning to my life. (Especially as my role as mother wanes, and wife ended.)
I can be myself at work and it works, usually.
I like to please people and be praised, I often get both of these needs served at work.
So you see, there are many powerful motivators to keep working, however I am finally at a place in my life where I want to try new things. Slow down the pace of work - perhaps not the pace of my life. The problem is, besides watering and tending my yard, cleaning, doing laundry, that kind of mundane and unsatisfying stuff, I don't have a handle on what else I could be doing.
I do like planning, growing, changing, looking ahead and right now, the only future I can forsee is at work!