It’s not uncommon for tradespeople to work six- or seven-day weeks, as they juggle the two tasks of working on the tools and running a business. Rarely do they find time for the statutory 28 days holiday a year.

Behind everything, there is the fear, ‘that if you’re not working, you’re not earning.’ 

“When you run a business, it is not like you come home and completely shut off, and go back to work the next day,” said Joel Bardall, host of The Painting & Decorating Show. 

“You come home, and you go, ‘right I have to catch up on my emails and messages, and all that stuff’. It is never ending… Just trying to keep on top of things is an absolute killer,” added Bardall.

Many tradespeople struggle to stick to a regular working schedule when working onsite. Co-host Todd Von Joel admitted to occasionally working onsite for up to 14 hours a day.

“You need to get that discipline when you stick to your hours. But as a sole trader, it very rarely works out that you get up, go and do eight and half hours and come home,” he added .

During the hour-long show the pair ran through a list from Forbes magazine of the 10 signs that you’re overworked. Here is an abbreviated version of Forbes’ list.

1 – You have trouble disconnecting from work, and you feel you must always be available for customers 

2 – You are doing the work of multiple people by yourself

3 – You work overtime on a regular basis

4 – You have lost your passion 

5 – You are constantly distracted 

6 – Your productivity is decreasing

7 – You lack energy for simple tasks

8 – Your health is deteriorating 

9 – Your personal relationships are suffering

10 – You procrastinate

Press play below to listen to Joel and Todd discuss the list in detail.