How to Avoid Becoming a Workaholic
Posted in Productivity
There is nothing like working with someone who is productive. That person is dependable, an employer’s dream come true. You enjoy doing business with them. You know you’re getting your money’s worth from their work.
However, there is a fine line between someone who manages their time efficiently and someone that is a workaholic.
Are you a workaholic? Here’s a series of questions help you decide. Answer yes or no to the five questions.
- Are you constantly preoccupied with work?
- Do family and friends complain they hardly get to see you?
- Do you take work home with you, when you do go home?
- Is it difficult to find time to relax and have fun?
- Are your eating habits off schedule?
If you answered yes to all the questions, you are a workaholic. If three of your answers were yes, you are not safe. There is still danger if only one or two answers were yes. Ideally, none of your answers should be yes.
Focusing only on your job is not a good thing. You are not one-dimensional. Your life have many facets: interests and drives which should be developed.
Workaholics often unconsciously use work to avoid intimacy. Working long hours can make them feel important. Realistically, living a balanced life enhances well-being and increases your energy.
Being a workaholic is not about meeting deadlines. We all have deadlines and there are times when work piles up in the office: an annual audit or special project. These should be temporary phases.
Work is important in life. We need to provide support for ourselves and our families. Successful work gives us a sense of accomplishment. However, work is not the only important thing in life.
Being efficient with time is not the same as being obsessed with time. The reverse is true. If you efficiently manage your time and are focused on getting things done, there is little chance you will end up a workaholic.
Being a workaholic is about missing out on the good things in life. Workaholism is counter productive. If you think working too much is a problem for you, here are some steps you can take to keep things under control.
- Write down an weekly plan that includes family time, social time, leisure activities and personal time.
- Set regular work hours and stick to them.
- When you say “yes” to something, consider what you will have to say turn down to in order to keep your commitment.
- Learn to delegate work.
- Say “no” before you become over-committed.
- Make sure your goals are reachable; avoid trying to be perfect.
- Exercise regularly and stay active.
- Eat and drink healthily.
- Get enough sleep.
- Spend time outdoors.
- Take some quiet time each day.
- Learn to savour the moment in order to enhance your level of satisfaction and happiness.
Working a lot is not a bad thing as long as it is temporary and there is an end in sight. By incorporating life-enhancing practices into your daily routine, you become more productive and produce better quality work.
What steps can you take to bring more balance into your life? You will not regret it.
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I also think it’s important to figure out (if you can): why exactly are you a workaholic? If you sit and down and really analyze this issue, you may discover that you’re efforts are in vain and what you’re really working on is sending yourself into an early grave.
Not so long ago, I used to see myself as a workaholic, but lately, I’ve just been working on being content with what I have – sure does make life easier and more enjoyable.