For many busy academics, the constant feeling of being overworked and under pressure leads to the decision to spend more time on the problem. You convince yourself that you need to work longer hours as a temporary solution – just until you get over this hump. But the truth is, there’s always another hump and this way of thinking becomes a self-perpetuating cycle that’s hard to escape.

The core problem is not the number of hours you’re working, but rather an unsustainable workload or inefficient workflow. Simply piling on more hours doesn’t fix those underlying issues. In fact, it exacerbates the problem by normalising overwork as your default behaviour. The more you work extreme hours, the harder it becomes to break that unhealthy habit.

Read: Design your academic workflow to do less.

Addressing the real problem

Instead of resigning yourself to perpetual overwork, take an honest look at what’s really driving your time scarcity:

• Are you taking on too many commitments and responsibilities? Prioritise ruthlessly.
• Are there processes or tasks in your work that desperately need streamlining? Look for opportunities to increase efficiency.
• Are you struggling with perfectionism, procrastination, or other productivity pitfalls? Identify and overcome those bad habits.
• Do you have sufficient support resources? Explore options to build capacity.

If you’re not getting the results you want and you’re already working hard, then putting in more time and effort isn’t likely to be the answer. You may need to change what you’re doing, which may involve a change in identity. Are you the kind of person who works late to get things done, or works on the weekend to make sure you don’t start the week in some kind of productivity debt?

The key to better outcomes is not to work longer hours. The key is to do something different.

The solution isn’t in working harder – it’s working smarter. Commit to maintaining reasonable working hours, and use that constraint to prompt positive changes in how you approach your workload. Overwork leads to burnout, mistakes, and compromised personal wellbeing. Break the cycle and invest in calm productivity practices.