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Are You A Workaholic
Are You A Workaholic?
From cell phones to emails to 60 hour work weeks. Working long hours to achieve is a part of the American culture. But for many people work becomes all consuming and can ruin their relationships and their lives. We talk about people being workaholics and rarely draw the analogy to the seriousness of the problem. It can be quite serious and can destroy a life much like being an alcoholic or having an addiction of any type. Being a workaholic is associated with greater rates of depression, substance abuse, divorce, and stress related illnesses. So what is the difference between a workaholic and someone who is just a hard worker?
Here are a few of the characteristics of workaholics. For a more detailed description as well as a wealth of information and resources on workaholics visit: www.workaholics-anonymous.org.
1. Find it difficult to relax. Always, feel the need to get just a few more tasks done
2. Often unable to know what it is that we really want to do and need to do for ourselves.
3. Judge self by accomplishments so must always be in the process of accomplishing something worthwhile in order to feel good.
So how does some one decide if they ore a loved one is a workaholic? Some simple questions you can ask. Again for more details see: www.workaholics-anonymous.org.
1. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?
2. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
3. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
4. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't otherwise get done?
What can you do if you think you may be a workaholic?
1. Prioritize your activities. Decide which are the most important things to do first. Sometimes that may mean doing nothing.
2. Substitute. Do not add a new activity without eliminating from your schedule one that demands equivalent time and energy.
3. Underschedule. Allow more time than needed for a task,
4. Schedule time for play. Refuse to work non-stop.
Having a good work ethic is a notable characteristic. Working to the demise of your life and the life of others is not…
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I am not a workaholic but I am married to one. He just works and works and works. When he is not working, he is worried about work. When he is not worried, it's because he is drinking to forget work.
agree- the key is the degree to which your working "behavior" impacts others around you. If you are enjoying work to the demise of your family, friends etc. then it may be a problem. Ideally we all could see our jobs as "fun". It's a great goal to shoot for..
I think that for a lot of people work is their main priority in life. Personally, I feel that a job should be a means to LIVING life and not life itself. However, I've recently been told about this idea where if you find a way to make your work pleasurable, enjoyable, and, in a way, a leisure activity then you can be at leisure almost all the time. But for most I feel like they work long hours for more stressful reasons. I don’t know how much this relates to the blog it talks about how workaholic habits can hurt others around you as well. Drinking alcohol is considered a leisure activity, but too much of it can bring pain to those around you. I just thought it was an interesting idea.
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