Do you put in more hours at work than required? Do you avoid going on a vacation? Do you work even when you’re sick?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may be a work martyr. 

A work martyr is someone who is so dedicated to work that they are a slave to it. They believe that it is a badge of honour to sacrifice health, well-being, and relationships for work. Martyrs get validation when they feel that they have more work than others. They feel more secure when they seem indispensable.

Other signs:

• You think (and say) that nobody else can do your job.
• You make yourself available to the boss 24/7.
• Your favorite dialogue is: “I’m so swamped with work!”
• Your main motivations are a promotion or raise.
• You never ask for help from your colleagues or your boss.
• You check in with work while on vacation, or you never take vacations.
• You’re always stressed out.
• You’re usually the first one to arrive at the office and the last one out.

Some think that being a work martyr is a good thing, especially if they came from a country where it’s the norm. Also, some newcomers feel that they have to work doubly hard to prove themselves, so they prioritize work.

But remember, you’re not in your home country anymore. You have a chance to choose smarter and healthier work habits now that you’re in Canada.

The dangers of being a work martyr

Sacrificing their physical, emotional, and psychological needs leads to stress. Stress could manifest as headaches, insomnia, or frequent infections. Sustained stress leads to occupational burnout. This is similar to severe chronic stress, which is a mental illness. It comes with depression, anxiety, anger issues, and others. This condition eventually results in a drop in productivity.

Aside from health problems, work martyrs often see their personal relationships break down. Disregarding their partner’s or family’s needs because of work often strains relationships.

How to work smarter, not harder

1. Make your work hours count
   Staying late and putting in more hours does not always translate to being hardworking. It can also mean inefficiency. They may be catching up on tasks because of an inability to plan and prioritize. Starting the day right can be as simple as making a to-do list. Prioritize and allot more time for essential tasks. It’s also important to be realistic. Don’t take on more than you can each day. Unfinished tasks can be part of next day’s to-list.

2. Think quality over quantity
   Bosses respect employees who turn in high quality work. If you need more time to finish a particularly difficult task, inform your boss. If you are bogged down by several tasks that need to be finished within a specific time, ask for help. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders! Your boss and your colleagues may even appreciate that you recognize their worth and expertise.
3. Aim to be a well-rounded human being
   Develop into a well-rounded individual who has interests beyond work. Take vacations! Studies show that employees who take regular vacation days perform better than those who forfeit their vacations. Re-charging allows us to have more focus, energy, and creativity when we get back to work. Also, don’t check in with work while on vacation (unless it is a life and death situation and you can’t avoid it). Work martyrs do this in an effort to show that they are indispensable. This shows self-importance and can be annoying to your colleagues.

Remember, the key is to work smarter, not harder. You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being to come out on top. Set reasonable limits to the workload you take on and say no when it’s too much. After all, what’s the point of working hard if you can’t enjoy the fruits of your labour later on because you’re too miserable or sick?

Sources: How can I compete with a work martyr, Kim Scott, The Muse; 5 Signs that you’re a work martyr, Renée Bacher, Monster; Don’t be a hero: Breaking the work martyr mentality, Jennifer Post, Business News Daily; Being a work martyr doesn’t help you advance your career, study finds, Rose Leadem, Entrepreneur; Burnout is a thing, doctors say. Here are the symptoms, Erica Alini, Global News. All accessed October 31, 2017.