Why do we often feel we never work enough?
photo credit: Dawit
There are several interconnected factors in our modern world that contribute to the persistent feeling of never having worked enough.
Always-On Culture and Blurring Boundaries
Technology and connectivity: Smartphones, laptops, and constant internet access have blurred the lines between work and personal life. We are often expected to be reachable and responsive at all times, making it difficult to truly switch off.
Remote work: While offering flexibility, remote work can also lead to working longer hours and feeling like you should always be “available” since your office is now your home. The commute time saved often gets absorbed back into work.
Pressure of productivity and optimization
Emphasis on output: Modern work culture often heavily emphasizes measurable output and constant productivity. There’s a pressure to always be doing more, achieving more, and maximizing efficiency.
Hustle culture: This glorifies relentless work and often equates busyness with success and importance. It can create a feeling that any time not spent working is wasted.
Fear of falling behind: In a competitive globalized economy, there’s a pervasive fear of being left behind if you're not constantly pushing yourself and upskilling.
Economic instability and job insecurity
Need to prove value: In uncertain economic times, employees may feel the need to constantly prove their worth and dedication to their jobs to ensure job security. This can translate to working longer hours and taking on more responsibilities.
Stagnant wages: For many, wages haven’t kept pace with the cost of living, leading to the necessity of working more or taking on extra work to make ends meet.
Social comparison and the ideal worker norm
Social media: While often curated, social media can create the illusion that everyone else is achieving more, working harder, and being more successful, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
Ideal worker myth: This ingrained societal expectation portrays the ideal employee as someone who is completely dedicated to their job, always available, and prioritizes work above all else. This unrealistic standard can make anyone feel like they aren’t doing enough.
Psychological factors
Internalized beliefs: Some individuals may have internalized beliefs about their worth being tied to their productivity, leading to a constant drive to do more.
Perfectionism: The desire to achieve flawless results can lead to spending excessive time on tasks and feeling like the work is never truly ‘done’ or good enough.
Zeigarnik effect: This psychological phenomenon suggests that we remember unfinished tasks more than completed ones. This can lead to a feeling of having a never-ending to-do list and focusing on what’s left undone rather than what has been accomplished.
Productivity guilt: This is the feeling of guilt or anxiety when not being productive, even during leisure time. It stems from the societal pressure to always be doing something ‘useful’.
The nature of modern work
Knowledge work: Many modern jobs involve complex, ongoing projects with less clear start and end points compared to traditional manufacturing roles. This can make it harder to feel a sense of completion.
Globalized teams and time zones: Collaborating with colleagues across different time zones can lead to expectations of working outside of traditional hours.
The feeling of never working enough is a complex issue rooted in technological advancements, economic pressures, societal expectations, psychological factors, and the evolving nature of work itself. Addressing this requires a conscious effort to set boundaries, challenge ingrained beliefs, prioritize well-being, and redefine our understanding of productivity and success.
