Work can become the most reliable place to feel in control – which makes it very hard to step away from.
Over-investing in work happens when work consistently takes priority over rest, relationships and other areas of life – often because it gives a sense of control or worth that other areas don’t.
1 Understand the core chain
- Work offers a more reliable sense of control, achievement or distraction than other areas of life
- More and more time and energy go into work
- Other areas – rest, relationships, health – are deprioritised to make room
- The imbalance becomes the new normal, reinforced by the sense of achievement work brings
- Switching off gets harder, since work has become the main source of stability
“Work can become the most reliable place to feel in control – which makes it very hard to step away from, even when other areas suffer.”
2 Recognise how it shows up
- Body: Restlessness or guilt during time away from work.
- Thoughts: “I should be working right now”, “It’s the only area where I know I’m doing well”, “I don’t know how to stop.”
- Behaviours: Regularly working excessive hours, struggling to take breaks or holidays without guilt.
One isolated sign is not enough to define a pattern.
3 The cycle how it keeps going
- Work gives control
- More time on work
- Other areas deprioritised
- Imbalance normalised
- Harder to switch off
…and back to the start.
4 Explore questions to go further
- What does work give me that other areas of my life don’t right now?
- What would be the emotional cost of fully switching off from work during rest time?
- Which area of my life has been quietly deprioritised in favour of work?
5 Go deeper needs and beliefs
Need: A stable sense of worth and control that doesn’t depend entirely on work.
Belief: “Work is the only place I can reliably prove my worth or stay in control.”
6 Next steps where to go from here
- Pick one deprioritised area of life and give it deliberate attention.
- Practise fully switching off from work for a set period, without guilt.
- Explore what a sense of control or worth could look like outside professional achievement.
Educational use – does not replace professional support. © Nomad Mental Health