At first glance, the answer appears obvious: we work tirelessly because life demands it. Bills are relentless, housing is expensive and basic survival isn’t guaranteed without constant effort. From adolescence, we understand that hard work is simply part of responsible adult living.

Beneath these practical necessities lies a more intricate truth, one we conveniently overlook or intentionally avoid.

So why do we truly push ourselves beyond necessity?

We work so hard because deep down, we’re driven by fears and insecurities we seldom acknowledge openly. There’s a persistent anxiety about not being enough: successful enough, influential enough or valuable enough. Work becomes a way to earn approval, from others and from ourselves. It is a means to silence the constant voice questioning our worth.

We labour intensively as a distraction from uncomfortable truths about our lives and ourselves. Endless work provides an escape from loneliness, unresolved conflicts or dissatisfaction in our personal relationships. By keeping busy, we avoid facing the parts of ourselves and our lives that feel painful or incomplete.

There’s also societal pressure; the implicit cultural expectation that our value correlates directly with productivity. We equate relentless effort with virtue, working ourselves tirelessly to earn respect and acceptance within our communities. This striving serves as proof, to ourselves and others, of our seriousness, dedication and worthiness.

Understanding these deeper motives helps us confront the reality behind our relentless work ethic. Perhaps in recognising our hidden drives, we can begin to approach work differently… as an activity that, ideally, could offer meaning and genuine fulfilment.