The second most reported regret that humans express on their death bed is, "I wish I hadn't worked so hard."

Yet there is something intoxicating about dedicating yourself to your job. Perhaps we're trying to impress others; or ourselves. Maybe we're competing; or wanting to be the best.

There's nothing terribly wrong with any if this, as long as you remember the first most reported regret that humans express on their death bed, "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."

Thousands of workplace and military studies have proved that efficiency, productivity, leadership abilities and job satisifaction are markedly increased by a home life that is filled with things that truly allow your mind to step completely away from all that work entails.

And then there is sleep. You may be one of those people who can exist on six hours sleep. But if you're constantly waking up tired or feeling sleepy during the day, this can be for one or both of the following reasons:

1. You could be underestimating the time you need to recuperate.
2. You could be forcing yourself to wake in the middle of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

The last 30 minutes of each of your nightly 90 minute sleep cycles is REM, so set your alarm clock with some sensitivity to this (6hrs, 7hrs30mins, 9hrs). And don't forget to tack on 30mins to allow yourself enough time to fall asleep.

So, if you are giving your job more than thirty-five hours per week, make sure there is something at work that is truly nourishing you, otherwise you run the risk of habituating behaviour that might end up being a regret.