Are You Secretly Addicted to Work?

“Don’t let me catch you without your laptop this weekend,” my old Managing Director used to bark every Friday afternoon. I remember those tense banking days—where working outside of business hours was a bragging right and the MD expected everyone to mirror his own extreme devotion to the job.

He was legendary for gloating about missing his son’s soccer tournaments, skipping family milestones like his mother’s birthday, and clocking 70 or 80 hours a week as if it were the ultimate flex.

“If you’re not prepared to drop Sunday brunch for the company, then why are you even here?” he’d sneer, half-joking and half-dead serious. The guilt trips were practically a weekly occurrence. Some folks loved the relentless pace; many more quietly despised it. But the MD’s influence was so strong that nobody wanted to admit if they couldn’t keep up.

It didn’t matter that we had personal lives—by Monday morning, he expected a full account of who had been “on” over the weekend.

“Where were you when I needed the report?” he’d ask, almost proud of the weekly personal sacrifices he made for work. Missing family events wasn’t a regret—it was a badge of honor. And if your phone rang at 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday? Ignoring it meant risking your reputation as a team player.

At the time, I thought it was normal. That’s just how the banking industry in Singapore rolls, right?

But as the pressure mounted, I began realizing something more sinister was at play: the MD was hooked on this hyper-intensity. It wasn’t the usual addiction you’d associate with substances or gambling. This was an unintentional addiction to the adrenaline rush, the external praise, and even the fear of losing our jobs if we didn’t stay connected.

Fast forward to today, and it’s all crystal clear: unintentional addictions at work exist, and they’re unhealthy. Let’s explore why they’re so destructive, how to spot them, and what you can do to break free—without sabotaging your ambitions or professional growth.

1. When “Hard Work” Morphs into Unintentional Addiction

That MD in my banking days might have sounded extreme, but his ethos is more common than you think. After all, doesn’t every ambitious professional put in extra hours? Don’t we all pride ourselves on our work ethic? Sure—but where does dedication end, and self-destructive behavior begin?

The Slippery Slope

What starts as enthusiasm—going above and beyond for the team—can quickly escalate into constant connectivity, anxiety over missing an email, or an adrenaline dependence. This happens when:

1. Praise Fuels You External validation becomes a fix. You chase the “great job” and “star performer” labels like they’re the only measure of success.
2. Fear Keeps You Hooked Afraid of disappointing your boss, losing out on a promotion, or being perceived as slacking, you can’t say “no.” It’s more than FOMO—it's a deep-seated worry that stepping back even a little could jeopardize your reputation.
3. Identity Gets Twisted When your identity is tied entirely to your work, the boundary between personal and professional life starts dissolving. You might even lose sight of who you are outside that role.

In time, these patterns can reach the same intensity as more conventional addictions—only they’re sugar-coated with corporate lingo like “commitment,” “ambition,” or “team spirit.”

2. Signs You’re Addicted—Without Even Knowing It

In the same way the MD’s demands seeped into my team’s weekend habits, unintentional workplace addictions often creep in quietly. How do you know if you’re ensnared?

1. Emotional Withdrawal If you feel intense irritability when you’re unable to check emails or Slack messages (say, during a flight without Wi-Fi), that’s a telltale sign. The same jitteriness we associate with nicotine withdrawal might appear when you can’t be “plugged in.”
2. Increased Tolerance Like any addiction, you need more stimuli to get the same “reward.” Maybe you started by responding to email once after dinner, then it snowballed into checking every 15 minutes. Before you know it, your phone becomes an extension of your hand.
3. Neglected Personal Life Missing anniversaries, children’s events, or even a good night’s rest starts feeling normal. You might justify it as the cost of success, but deep down, you sense the damage.
4. Physical and Mental Drain Constant stress leads to chronic fatigue, insomnia, headaches, or stress-related illnesses. Often, you might not connect these health issues to your round-the-clock work habit.
5. Anxiety About Being Offline When you take a break (if you do at all), you feel uneasy, checking your phone compulsively. The fear is that you’ll miss out on something crucial—and your entire professional image will collapse.

Identifying these signs can be difficult because, in many workplaces, they’re not just excused—they’re rewarded.

3. The Illusion of Positive Reinforcement

Consider how my MD was lauded as a “high performer” by top brass. He pushed us ruthlessly, but the company’s leadership saw him as a go-getter who drove results. That aura of success becomes a beacon for others—“I’ll get ahead if I’m just like him.”

The Social Validation Trap

• Company Culture: When long hours and weekend check-ins are seen as normal, employees who attempt to set boundaries can be penalized or viewed as less committed.
• Peer Pressure: High-achieving colleagues can unintentionally foster a culture of competition. If everyone’s in the office at 7 a.m., who wants to stroll in at 8:30?
• Personal Pride: Overwork can feel like a badge of honor—like you’re a soldier on the front lines, sacrificing for the greater good.

But let’s be honest: chasing high praise doesn’t guarantee real success or happiness. Over time, it corrodes mental health, family relationships, and ultimately, the quality of work.

4. Cultural Underpinnings in Asia Pacific

When we zoom out to the broader Asia Pacific context—home to some of the world’s fastest-growing industries—unintentional addictions can take on unique forms. The MD I worked for was a prime example of how cultural norms around “face,” hierarchy, and fierce competition can reinforce addictive behaviors:

1. Saving Face and Avoiding Shame In many Asian cultures, avoiding shame and maintaining personal dignity is paramount. Telling your superior “I need time off” could feel like you’re embarrassing yourself.
2. Collectivist Values The emphasis on group harmony can lead to people ignoring personal well-being for the team’s sake. No one wants to be the weak link.
3. The Hustle Myth Asia Pacific economies pride themselves on rapid growth and innovation. This momentum often translates into “hustle 24/7” mentalities, especially in major financial hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo.
4. Hierarchy and Obedience In traditional corporate settings, questioning a boss’s demands can feel taboo. Consequently, junior staff adopt addictive work habits out of loyalty or fear, perpetuating the cycle.

Understanding these cultural facets is crucial for spotting how a region that values diligence and discipline might inadvertently breed unhealthy dependencies.

5. Real Consequences of Unintentional Addictions

For all the talk about “commitment” and “work ethic,” these hidden addictions carry severe costs.

Personal Costs

• Burnout Extended periods of stress without adequate rest can lead to physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, and a range of illnesses—from chronic migraines to severe depression.
• Relationships in Ruin Missing your child’s soccer game or your parent’s birthday may seem minor once or twice, but repeated absences build resentment and distance in personal relationships.
• Identity Crisis If you solely define yourself by professional achievements, retirement or even a short vacation can leave you feeling lost.

Team and Organizational Costs

• Decreased Innovation Burned-out employees might meet deadlines, but their creativity plummets. Constant exhaustion stifles the “spark” needed for breakthrough ideas.
• High Turnover Good employees leave toxic environments. Even if some thrive on that adrenaline, it won’t attract or retain a diverse pool of talent in the long run.
• Toxic Culture Other teams observe your group’s dynamics and either mimic them or steer clear. Word spreads, hurting employer branding and future recruitment efforts.

6. Breaking the Cycle: Strategies to Reclaim Your Life

Realizing you’re in the grip of a hidden addiction is a brave step. Now, how do you reclaim control without sabotaging your career?

1. Set Micro-Boundaries Instead of a drastic overhaul, start with small moves. For example, commit to not checking emails from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. or letting your team know you’ll respond to non-urgent messages the next business day.
2. Create an Accountability Squad Share your struggle with trusted colleagues or friends. Tell them you’re trying to reduce weekend work. Ask them to nudge (or nag) you if they see you slipping back.
3. Prioritize Health First Incorporate short walks, stretch breaks, and water intake into your routine. It sounds basic, but physical well-being is the linchpin for mental clarity.
4. Re-evaluate Goals and Metrics Does your performance review revolve solely around the number of hours you log or emails you respond to at midnight? Push for metrics that value quality, strategy, and long-term impact.
5. Delegate and Empower If you’re in a leadership position, learn to trust your team. By delegating, you reduce your own workload and help others develop new skills. One less reason to hover over your inbox at all hours.
6. Seek Professional Guidance If your addiction runs deep—e.g., you experience panic attacks or severe insomnia—consider consulting a coach, therapist, or mentor. An external viewpoint can catalyze sustainable change.

7. Rethinking Leadership: Setting a Better Example

Back in my banking days, the MD’s team was always on high alert, constantly running on adrenaline. While we hit short-term targets, many of us ended up leaving due to burnout and dissatisfaction. How might things have been different if he’d championed a healthier culture?

Steps for Leaders

1. Open Conversations Instead of scolding employees for not checking in, initiate open discussions about realistic boundaries. Encourage them to speak up if they feel overloaded.
2. Visible Self-Care If you’re a leader, model the behavior you want to see. Log off at a reasonable hour and let your team know you’ll handle certain tasks the next day.
3. Shared Goals, Not Shared Misery Unite teams around meaningful objectives, not just “always be online.” Recognize employees who excel in productivity, creativity, and team-building—rather than those who simply sacrifice personal time.
4. Normalize Flexibility Especially in Asia Pacific’s dynamic markets, flexible work arrangements can alleviate undue pressure. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that productivity doesn’t always require a rigid office schedule.

8. Leveraging Cultural Strengths in Asia Pacific

Cultural norms aren’t static; they evolve. And Asia Pacific has many strengths that can help dismantle unhealthy workplace addictions:

• Collectivism for Support Channel the region’s strong sense of community to create a supportive work culture. Peer accountability can become a force for good—where people encourage each other to rest, as opposed to pushing each other to grind.
• Respect and Harmony Many Asia Pacific cultures value harmony not just externally but internally too. Encourage employees to view holistic well-being as an extension of this concept.
• Innovation and Adaptability The region thrives on rapid change. Leaders can innovate workplace norms just as fiercely as they innovate products and services—trial new schedules, mental health programs, or remote/hybrid setups.

9. Looking Ahead: The Future of Work in 2025

As we race into 2025, workplaces in Asia Pacific and beyond face new realities—AI integration, shifts in global supply chains, and changing employee expectations. The leaders who stand out won’t be the ones who never sleep; they’ll be the ones who elevate performance and well-being.

Imagine an MD who says: “I expect you to deliver results, but I also expect you to protect your health and spend time with family. That’s how we’ll win in the long run.” Such a leader sets a tone that drives loyalty and sustainable performance.

To get there, we need to:

• Scrutinize our own habits: Is the reason we’re always on Slack at midnight tied to real necessity, or fear, or an adrenaline high?
• Champion healthier norms: If you’re a manager, check in with employees about workload and mental health. Adjust timelines where possible.
• Value deep work over hustle: A short burst of focused effort can be more productive than 12 hours of anxiety-driven desk time.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on my old MD, I wish I could go back in time and tell him: “Success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your son’s soccer match.” Missing birthdays and family gatherings might make you look “tough” in the short term, but the long-term toll is staggering—and it sets a detrimental precedent for everyone else.

Unintentional addictions at work thrive in silence and denial. They’re often cloaked in praise, promotions, and illusions of achievement. But once you strip away the veneer, you see the high cost: burnout, fractured relationships, reduced creativity, and a never-ending cycle of stress.

Breaking free takes courage. Whether it’s taking a full weekend off or setting clear boundaries with your team, every step matters. Instead of hurting your career, it strengthens your leadership, focus, and results. In 2025’s fast-paced Asia Pacific market, the real trailblazers will be those who say, “Enough with the hustle—let’s build something sustainable.”

So, the next time you feel the urge to brag about pulling an all-nighter or skipping a treasured family event for work, pause. Ask yourself: “Am I truly winning, or am I feeding an addiction that holds me back from living a fulfilling, balanced life?”

If you’re reading this and nodding, consider it your cue to chart a new course—one where dedication coexists with sanity and success aligns with well-being.

Because truly, what’s the point of “making it to the top” if you arrive exhausted, alone, and too burned out to enjoy the view?

#WorkLifeBalance #BurnoutCulture #WorkAddiction #HustleTrap #CareerGrowth #MentalHealthAtWork #LeadershipMatters #WorkplaceWellbeing #BoundariesAtWork #UnplugToThrive

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I’m Eric Chuah, a former banker turned social entrepreneur, now reconnecting with the corporate world with a fresh perspective on leadership, impact, and well-being. With over 20 years of experience across Asia Pacific, I’ve built products, led innovation, and launched a successful social enterprise that proved business can drive real change.

Through my writing, I explore the hidden struggles of modern work culture—burnout, boundaries, and the myths of hustle—while championing sustainable success. I believe ambition shouldn’t come at the cost of mental health, and I’m passionate about helping professionals thrive without losing themselves in the process.