Work Hard. Go Home.

3 suggestions to detach from workism

Introduction

In our modern age, a new religion has emerged, gradually capturing the hearts and minds of millions of people. Its temples are skyscrapers, its scripture is the professional CV, and its followers are ceaselessly devoted to the pursuit of accomplishment and status. This phenomenon, known as 'workism', is an intriguing cultural shift where work is no longer just a means to earn a living, but has become the centerpiece of one's identity and purpose in life.

Workism is rooted in the sociocultural evolution of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly in the developed world. The second half of the 20th century marked a significant shift from manufacturing-based economies to knowledge and service-based industries. This evolution, coupled with advancements in technology and communication, blurred the lines between work and life. Jobs increasingly demanded intellectual and creative inputs, becoming less monotonous and more intertwined with personal identity and self-worth.

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The rise of workism has been dramatically amplified by advancements in technology, particularly through smartphones, instant messengers, and email. These tools, initially hailed as innovations designed to optimize productivity and facilitate communication, have inadvertently become instruments of a 24/7 work culture. Smartphones have transformed every space into a potential workplace, obliterating boundaries between professional and personal life. The 'always-on' slack culture (whose slogan is the inspiration for the title of this post) ensures that employees are perpetually tethered to their jobs, responding to work-related messages at all hours, even during vacations and family time.

These tech-driven changes have led to the expectation of constant availability and immediate responsiveness, intensifying the impact of workism. The once-clear demarcation between 'work' and 'life' is increasingly blurred, with individuals finding it difficult to disengage from work, leading to burnout, stress, and a deterioration of mental well-being. This ceaseless interconnectedness, while a testament to our technological prowess, poses serious questions about the sustainable balance between work and life in our digital age.

In an effort to challenge this modern dynamic and resist the excessive glorification of work, consider the following suggestions to create a new paradigm that values your time more than your office does.

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Step 1: Ask/Get A Work Number

As we grapple with the culture of workism, establishing solid communication boundaries becomes vitally important, both for our mental health and overall quality of life. One effective method to reclaim personal time is getting a separate work phone number (or asking your job for one). This strategy enables us to physically manifest the demarcation between work and personal life. By turning off the work phone once we leave the office, we're sending a clear message that our personal time is ours alone. This proactive boundary-setting acts as a safeguard against the encroachment of work into our personal lives, allowing us to disconnect from work-related pressures and responsibilities when we need to. In this way, we're not just erecting a barrier, we're creating a sanctuary of personal time, where we can refresh, refocus, and live a more balanced life beyond the office walls.

The advantages of this boundary-setting exercise extend well beyond mere time management. The clear distinction between 'work' and 'personal' provided by the separate phone numbers facilitates a mental shift in how we perceive and engage with our work and personal lives. When we switch off our work phone, it's not merely a physical act. Rather, it symbolizes an intentional transition from our professional roles to our personal identities. It's a cue that reminds us that we are more than our jobs, that our value isn't solely derived from our professional achievements, but also from our personal experiences, relationships, and passions outside of work. This, in turn, can foster a healthier relationship with work, where it occupies a significant yet not all-consuming place in our lives.

Taking this idea a step further, consider the liberating choice of using a 'dumbphone' as your personal device. In doing so, you further insulate your personal time from the digital tether of work. A dumbphone, being devoid of email capabilities and modern company-related apps, makes it impossible to succumb to the temptation of just "quickly checking" your work messages during your off hours. You'd be amazed at how this seemingly small step can create a significant shift in your mindset, helping you truly disengage and unwind.

Moreover, make it a point to remove all work-related apps from your personal devices. This idea ensures that your personal time and space remain sacred, undiluted by the constant ping of work notifications. It sends a clear message to yourself - when you're off work, you're truly off work, allowing your mind and body the time to rejuvenate. By disengaging from work-related technology for the rest of your personal day, you're not only setting a boundary, but you're also allowing yourself the opportunity to indulge in life's simple pleasures away from the screen - be it reading a book, spending quality time with loved ones, or simply soaking in the tranquility of nature. This form of lifestyle-centric planning can significantly improve your mental well-being and offer a sense of peace and balance in our increasingly digital world.

Step 2: Don’t Track. Make a Plan.

One of the cornerstone principles of workism is the relentless tracking of hours, believing that more time equals more productivity. However, this approach doesn't necessarily translate into increased output or satisfaction. Instead, consider setting a well-defined work schedule ahead of time. Take some time on Sunday, plan your week in advance, and set a clear limit on your working hours. This approach sets a precedent for the rest of your week, ensuring you are not only mindful of the time spent working but also cognizant of when to call it a day.

The strategy of scheduling working hours helps you resist becoming a "yes person" to work demands that encroach on your personal time. This requires discipline and a degree of assertiveness. It's all too easy to offer up our free time in pursuit of professional goals, believing that extra hours will lead to recognition or promotion. However, this often comes at the cost of our mental health and personal relationships. By setting firm boundaries around your work schedule, you're prioritizing balance and well-being over the ceaseless demands of the workplace.

Finally, remember that you're not just a worker, you're a human being with a variety of needs and interests. This doesn't mean that you have to renounce ambition or stop seeking professional growth. On the contrary, by setting clear work boundaries and allowing for quality downtime, you're likely to find that you're more creative, more focused, and more efficient when you are working. This approach challenges the workism ethos, shifting the focus from mere hours logged to the quality of work and the fulfillment it brings. And most importantly, it leaves room for the other essential aspects of life - rest, relationships, and personal passions - that enrich us as individuals and enhance our overall sense of being in the world.

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Step 3: Go Home

Leaving work behind at the end of the day is not just about turning off your devices or stepping out of the office. It's about consciously making space in your life for the moments that truly matter. One of my most cherished memories is of the simple, unhurried moments I spent with my abuelita, who sadly, just two days ago, left us. Her comforting presence and the warmth of her kitchen, filled with the aroma of freshly cooked pancakes, remain etched in my heart. Those mornings weren't about accomplishing tasks or meeting deadlines; they were about savoring food, sharing stories, and fostering an intimate bond that no amount of work could ever replicate.

Our modern lives are filled with a never-ending list of errands and chores that seem to demand our attention as soon as we step out of the office. But it's essential to remember that there's more to life than just ticking off to-do lists. Making a conscious decision to prioritize experiences over tasks can make a significant difference in how we perceive our time. Instead of rushing home to plunge into another set of duties, take a moment to breathe, and consciously decide to invest in experiences that enrich your life. Remember that the time you spend with your loved ones, the laughter, the shared meals, the conversations - these are what truly enrich your life and provide a sense of fulfillment that no job can offer.

In the end, the most memorable and meaningful experiences often lie not in grand gestures or major life events, but in these simple, everyday moments of connection. Every day, when we leave work behind, we have a choice: to get consumed in the hustle of errands and chores or to prioritize creating meaningful experiences with the people who matter most to us. Let's remember to choose wisely, for it is these choices that eventually shape our lives. Let's strive to make these shared moments of joy and connection a cornerstone of our daily lives. Remember being connected doesn’t mean having a connection.