Feel like you’re always working and never have time for yourself or your family?
I used to be stuck in the same cycle—working 80-hour weeks, convinced it was the path to success.
But overworking isn’t productive.
I learned this the hard way when work-related stress landed me in the hospital…
That moment changed everything.
I took control of my time, building a 7-figure business and raising a family while traveling the world.
And today, I’ll share the exact steps I took.
Want to stop overworking yourself? Read on!
Jump straight to…
- Let go of limiting beliefs
- Set clear boundaries
- Understand your goals
- Prioritize tasks
- Take regular breaks
- Avoid multitasking
- Remove distractions
- Delegate
- Take care of yourself
- Ask for help
What are the symptoms of overworking?
Overworking happens when your work takes over your life.
You’re always chasing an endless to-do list, and your self-worth feels tied to how much you get done.
Here’s the thing, though:
Just like multitasking, overworking is a productivity myth. (I’ll explain why multitasking fails later.)
A Boston University study found that managers couldn’t tell the difference between employees who worked 80-hour weeks and those who faked it.
The truth? Long hours rarely lead to better results, but they do lead to burnout.
So why do so many of us fall into this trap?
Overworking can be driven by several factors like:
- A demanding work environment
- Perfectionism
- Low self-esteem
- Workaholism
- Lack of boundaries
- Fear of failure
Ultimately, it’s often a mixture of internal pressures and external demands.
Now, how do you know if you’re overworking yourself?
Here are some common signs:
- Trouble sleeping
- Constant anxiety or stress
- Weak immune system (getting sick more often)
- Frequent headaches
- Body pain
- Irritability or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
Do these sound familiar? If so, it’s time to make a change.
Let’s explore how to stop overworking yourself and start building a life you love.
10 tips to stop overworking yourself
Want to learn how to stop overworking yourself for good?
These 10 proven strategies will help you break free and reclaim your life.
1. Let go of limiting beliefs
Ever feel like your work defines your worth? Or that everything you do needs to be perfect?
These beliefs are major drivers of overworking.
You may think, If I don’t give 110%, I’ll fail.
But here’s the truth:
Perfectionism is a trap.
You can spend hours redoing tasks that are already good enough. But this only drains your energy without adding much value.
👉 Try this instead:
Reframe your mindset.
Focus on progress, not perfection.
Before spending hours tweaking something, ask yourself, Is this already good enough to get the result I want?
Most of the time, it is.
Fear of failure is another hurdle.
But guess what?
Mistakes aren’t proof you’re failing—they’re proof you’re learning.
By treating them as lessons, you can figure out what works and refine your approach.
2. Set clear boundaries
Do you check emails during dinner? Or feel guilty for not answering that late-night message?
Without clear boundaries, work easily creeps into your evenings, weekends, and even vacations.
The result? Burnout.
👉 Try this instead:
Decide when your workday ends—and stick to it.
For example, if you choose 6 PM, treat it like an appointment you can’t miss.
Need help sticking to it? Block the time on your calendar and set reminders.
Next, communicate these boundaries to your team or clients. Let them know when you’re available and, just as importantly, when you’re not.
Learning to say “no” is key too. If a task or project doesn’t fit your priorities, don’t take it on. 🛑
It may feel awkward at first, but remember that setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s how you protect your energy for what matters.
Want to master saying “no”? Watch how Demir does it in this quick video:
3. Understand your goals
Why are you working so hard?
If you’ve never asked yourself that, you might be caught in the grind of hustle culture.
The truth is, working harder without purpose leads to burnout, not success.
But when your work supports your dreams, it stops being just a grind—it becomes meaningful and fulfilling. 🎯
👉 Try this instead:
The key to breaking the cycle of overworking is knowing your purpose and long-term goals.
Start by identifying what matters most to you.
What does success mean to you? And what kind of life do you want to build?
The trick is to be specific.
Instead of saying “financial freedom,” write, “I want to earn enough to take a yearly two-week family vacation without guilt.”
Once you know what you want, evaluate your daily tasks.
Are they moving you closer to your goals or just keeping you busy?
If a task doesn’t align, it’s time to delegate, delay, or drop it completely. (More on how to delegate like a pro in a bit.)
Finally, reaching big goals often requires new tools in your toolbox.
So, think about the skills you’ll need, and make a plan to develop them.
4. Prioritize tasks
Most people—98.2% to be exact—struggle to prioritize.
Yet mastering this one skill can completely transform how you work.
Without it, it’s easy to get stuck in low-priority tasks, where you spend your days feeling busy but accomplish little of real value.
👉 Try this instead:
Start by creating your to-do list to free up mental space.
Next, split your tasks into four boxes with the Eisenhower Matrix:
- Do First: Urgent/important
- Schedule: Important/not urgent
- Delegate: Urgent/not important
- Delete: Not urgent/not important
This method helps you focus on high-value tasks and ditch the busywork.
Time-blocking is another game-changer. ⏰
Here’s how it works:
- Divide your day into chunks of time and assign specific tasks to each block.
- During those blocks, focus entirely on that task without interruptions.
💡Tip! To get the best results, match your most important tasks with your most productive hours.
For instance, I save mornings for deep work and leave emails for later in the day.
This is what my time-blocked schedule looks like 👇
5. Take regular breaks
Most of us power through the day, thinking it’s the fastest way to get things done.
Spoiler alert: It’s not. 🚫
It might seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks actually helps you get more done.
You see, your brain needs downtime to recharge and stay focused.
Without it, your productivity tanks.
👉 Try this instead:
Make regular breaks a non-negotiable part of your routine.
The Pomodoro Technique is a great place to start:
Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat four times, then enjoy a longer break.
The trick is to use your breaks to refresh your mind.
Avoid mindless scrolling—it won’t give your brain the reset it needs.
Instead, step away from your desk, stretch, or go for a quick walk.
6. Avoid multitasking
Do you try to juggle multiple tasks, thinking it’ll save time?
Multitasking might feel efficient, but it actually reduces your productivity by up to 40%.
That’s because your brain isn’t built to switch gears rapidly—it takes time to refocus after each task.
👉 Try this instead:
Commit to single-tasking.
Pick one task, give it your full attention, and watch how much faster (and better!) you finish.
If you’re tempted to check emails or messages, remind yourself: Multitasking makes everything take longer.
Time-blocking comes in handy here too. ⏰
Take a second look at your time-blocked schedule.
Instead of mixing multiple activities, make sure each block is focused on one single task.
7. Remove distractions
Did you know it takes an average of 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction? 😳
That’s nearly half an hour lost every time your phone buzzes.
Multiply that by an average of 60 distractions a day, and it’s no wonder you’re overworked…
👉 Try this instead:
Take control of your environment:
- Turn off non-essential notifications on your phone and computer
- Create a dedicated workspace that’s clean and free of clutter
- Use tools like Freedom to block apps and websites that pull your attention away
- Let your colleagues or family know when you’re in “deep work” mode
8. Delegate
Are you trying to do everything yourself? That’s a fast track to burnout.
The truth is, you can’t do it all—and you don’t have to.
Delegating is a powerful way to free up your time for the work that only you can do.
👉 Try this instead:
Start small. Look at your daily tasks and identify what doesn’t require your unique expertise.
Can someone else handle admin work, social media management, or data entry?
Assign these repetitive or time-consuming tasks to team members or hire a virtual assistant.
💡Tip! Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to outsource specialized tasks.
At home, delegating personal chores like laundry, cleaning, or grocery shopping also makes a huge difference. 🧺
In this video, Carey breaks down how to delegate like a pro:
For an even deeper dive, check out our Outsourcing Mastery course.
9. Take care of yourself
When you’re overworked, self-care is often the first thing to go.
But here’s the thing:
You can’t perform at your best if you’re constantly running on empty.
Your health and well-being are the foundation for everything else.
👉 Try this instead:
Make self-care a priority, not an afterthought.
- Sleep: Prioritize sleep, and aim for 7+ hours of sleep every night.
- Exercise: Build exercise into your routine, even if it’s just a 20-minute walk.
- Diet: Swap sugary snacks for nutrient-rich foods that offer steady energy without the crash.
- Paid time off: Use your vacation days to recharge and step away from work completely.
- Maintain a social life: Spend time with the right people, even when life feels busy. Socializing engages your brain, helps regulate emotions, and gets you out of your head.
10. Ask for help
Do you avoid asking for help because you fear it makes you look weak or incapable?
It doesn’t.
In fact, asking for support is one of the bravest things you can do, and it requires a lot of self-awareness.
👉 Try this instead:
Reach out to your support system. Let friends and family members take care of some household tasks or lend a hand when you’re overwhelmed.
Struggling with time management? Sign up for a course that teaches the skills you need to get unstuck.
Hiring a coach is another great option. Learning directly from someone who has already achieved what you’re aiming for can fast-track your progress.
Remember, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it all on your own.
What’s next?
And that’s how to stop overworking yourself and take control of your time!
Breaking free from overworking is a journey, not an overnight fix.
Start small—pick two or three tips from this list and put them into practice this week.
Want a proven system to simplify it even more?
Our Winning the Week worksheet is your shortcut to creating a better schedule in just 30 minutes.
It’s the first step toward designing the life you’ve always wanted.
Grab it for free now and start seeing results today!
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