In Brief: Many men unknowingly allow work to define their identity. This article outlines ten warning signs and practical ways to restore balance while preserving ambition and legacy. There’s nothing wrong with work. Honest labor has always been part of what makes a man feel solid in his boots. Work puts food on the table, sharpens skills, earns respect, and—at its best—builds something that lasts beyond you. But there’s a quiet line most men don’t notice until they’ve crossed it: the point where work stops being something you do and starts being who you are.