Each and every one of us has whined at some point about doing overtime, having a non-existent work-life balance, or about the big bad boss cracking the whip. But despite our grumbling, an analysis of the Household Labour and Income Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey data shows that we actually kind of like it.
The researchers found that the average overworker rates their job satisfaction at 7.1/10, which is a pretty high score considering that the overall average is 7.9. At first glance it might seem like Aussies have a really bad case of collective masochism, but it comes down the payoff you get for grinding hard.
For starters, jobs that require long hours are usually either fun (in the loosest sense of the word), or will have you raking in some serious dough. Staying back at the office might highlight your work ethic and result in a pay rise later down the track – as long as you make sure your boss takes notice.
Only about one in a hundred of the dissatisfied overworkers stuck around in their crappy job for more than two years. Now that’s self-care, 99%!
Speaking of self-care though, it’s probably not worth compromising on your own health for the sake of a few extra dollars. These things always require a delicate balance, but if you’re really just climbing the corporate ladder for the gold and glory, it might be time to rethink your priorities.
Aussies are lonelier and sleepier than ever before, and the daily grind can be a big contributor. That means you might want to find some alternatives to the insane workload, stat – before your body and your social life start to suffer.
If you’re the kind of person for whom working from home is an option, take advantage of it as much as possible. Less time commuting is less time wasted, after all. And if home is too distracting, you could always set up a ‘coffice’.
To keep your work-life balance in check, you’ve also got to make the most of those hours on the train or in the car. If downtime is what you need, shove on a bangin’ playlist or an interesting podcast, but if you haven’t spoken to your BFF in so long they’ve probably forgotten who you are, then give them a call! When meeting face-to-face isn’t an option, you must adapt. Survive. Overcome.
And if you’re in a position of authority (and responsibility) at your workplace, please – for the love of your sanity – DELEGATE YOUR TASKS. Having to pick up the slack of your underlings is no-one’s idea of a good time. Teamwork, y’all. It’s important for everyone.
So next time you find yourself falling asleep at the desk, ask yourself: is your fantasy of swimming in cash like Scrooge McDuck really worth the pain?