The Hidden Downside of Burning the Midnight Oil: Thoughts for BCBAs
Going to throw this out there.
I’ve worked in a variety of leadership positions over the past decade or so, and I’m going to let you in on a little secret. This secret might not be something that you expect. In fact, it might seem to counter some of the beliefs you’ve had about work altogether.
First, let’s start with what we probably already know.
Hard work is a good thing. And your manager, supervisor, or director probably value you because of it. As a BCBA, putting your blood, sweat, and tears into your work is incredibly commendable.
Good for you.
But there are often negative consequences of working too hard. We’ve heard about this. It’s called burnout. You might have been there before. The equation is simple: If you work excessively hard, you’re likely to burn out.
But there’s something else. There’s another negative consequence to working past closing time. And it’s a negative consequence most people don’t see.
Here it is. Ready?
When you’re emailing your supervisor at 11 pm on a Friday night, it might not be a good thing. In fact, it might be a red flag for them altogether.
But, why? Doesn’t that mean I’m working extra hard? Doesn’t that mean I’m going above and beyond? Doesn’t that show them that I’m super serious about my work?
Ehh. Maybe.
Yes, sometimes it does mean all of those things. And sometimes it’s worth sending that email. However, working late nights and weekends—often seen as a badge of honor—might indicate underlying issues with your time management and prioritization. For example, if a BCBA consistently submits treatment plans or session notes late and relies on after-hours to catch up, it may actually raise concerns about their ability to manage their workload during regular business hours.
Now, a quick disclaimer. Certainly you might work for an organization that overworks the heck out of you. In that case, you may be put in that position. But, for our purposes today, let’s pretend that things at your company are pretty reasonable. Let’s pretend that most BCBAs are getting things done on time.
Read on!
Indicators of Poor Time Management
When a BCBA reports working weekends and nights, it might seem like they are exceptionally dedicated. However, this behavior may signal something different:
Procrastination: Constantly pushing tasks until the last minute.
Poor Prioritization: Struggling to focus on essential tasks during work hours.
Boundary Issues: Difficulty in setting limits between work and personal time.
I’ve been there myself. Early in my career, I found myself working up until deadlines, similar to cramming for a college term paper. This pattern was a clear indication that I needed to improve my time management skills. I was dubbed the “dude that slept at the clinic” because of this. My supervisor noted that I was a workaholic. I got the warm and fuzzies when people said this. I wore all of this as a badge of honor.
But, in reality, I was pretty unorganized. I was distracted. I wasn’t working on the things I needed to when I needed to. And I had a series of personal habits that didn’t promote concentration, prioritization, and boundary making.
Also, had I known it at the time, I would have gotten to work on fixing all of this behavior sooner.
And why didn’t I fix it sooner?
I didn’t realize that most good bosses value both hard work and the ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I didn’t realize that they recognize that consistently working outside regular hours may not reflect a strong work ethic but rather a struggle with managing time and setting boundaries. Supervisors prefer seeing tasks completed…and in a healthy fashion. This suggests that the BCBA can handle their caseload effectively without risking burnout and unhappiness.
After all, a good boss has your best interests in mind.
Achieving Balance
So, to all BCBAs out there, it's essential to become a student of time management. Here are some tips:
Set Clear Boundaries: Define specific work hours and stick to them.
Prioritize Tasks: Focus on high-priority tasks during peak productivity hours.
Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor or colleagues for tips on managing your workload.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help if you're struggling to get everything done on time. Discuss with your supervisor or peers to find strategies that work for you.
And then stick to those strategies!
Effective time management not only helps you meet deadlines but also ensures you have the necessary downtime to recharge.
Also, second disclaimer: You can do equal damage going in the opposite direction as well. Valuing your time is one thing. However, being stingy, inflexible, and completely unavailable for essential conversations is also problematic. Again, work with your supervisor to find that balance.
In the end, never underestimate hard work. Work hard. Let’s be clear on that. However, while hard work is valued, efficient time management and maintaining boundaries are equally crucial. By improving these skills, you'll not only enhance your performance but also preserve your well-being.
Martin Myers is a BCBA with a passion for helping improve the field of ABA. He is the creator of BxMastery, with over 4,000 goal ideas, sequenced, to inspire your programming. With 10+ years of experience in the field, he’s dedicated to empowering others and fostering positive change through effective leadership and communication. Connect with Martin on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more insights and updates.