A “workaholic” is a person who is an achievement-addict. For the workaholic, the drive to achieve is so compelling that the job is more important than all other areas of life, such as social life, and sometimes it is even more important than health concerns. While workaholics may have a lack of work-family balance, and there are some evidences that workaholics may have health-related problems due to stress and lack of exercise, they do tend to be successful at work and financially stable.
Based on Interviews with workaholics, a number of attitudes and behaviours that are related to workaholism have been pointed out. One of the most powerful motives that humans can possess is the drive to achieve. Typically, we consider high achievement to be a positive sign. We should usually encourage ourselves and our children to be high achievers. But sometimes we may turn into a-too-achievement-oriented people which could result in workaholism.
As we mentioned before, workaholism is when a person’s drive to achieve becomes so obsessive compared to other life aspects; family, relationships, health, and leisure, and all could be neglected for the sake of more accomplishment. As you might imagine, many workaholics are financially successful, but money, for the most part, is a by-product of the desire to succeed and win. It is important to note that workaholism is connected to the Type A behaviour pattern, the hard-driving, competitive, and coronary-prone people.
How can we tell if we are workaholics? Here is a simple test:
1. Do you regularly use to-do lists and time-saving devices?
2. Do you take quick meals in order to get back to work?
3. Do you often have a sense of lack of time, not enough time in the day to get things done?
4. Can you work just about anywhere?
5. Do you combine work and leisure, or take work with you on your vacation?
6. Do you need little sleep and could wake up ready to go?
7. Do you have difficulty enjoying your free time?
8. Do you have intense energy?
9. Do you have a strong desire to excel?
10. Do you have a fear of retirement?
11. Do you have long work days, or continue working at home?
12. Are you acutely aware of what your own work can accomplish?
If you answered “yes” to ten or more of these questions, undoubtedly you are a definitely workaholic!
Workaholism is difficult to run away from, particularly because workaholics tend to enjoy work, be successful at it, and prioritize work above all else!
So What should you do about it?
Schedule some “time off” and work to enjoy your leisure time.
Turn that energy toward other areas of your life, your family, friends, and hobbies. Make sure that you are achieving a work-life balance.
Appreciate the progress you are making, but take time to reward yourself with some downtime.