How To Tell If You’re A Workaholic … And What You Can Do About It
The lines between work life and personal life are increasingly blurred. GiphyNews that is entertaining to read
Subscribe for free to get more stories like this directly to your inboxThere’s certainly nothing wrong with hard work — but just like anything else, too much of it can lead to trouble. That’s why it’s important to understand the warning signs so you can avoid the potential negative consequences associated with becoming a workaholic.
Defining the term
In the broadest sense, workaholics are identified by their compulsion to keep working even at the detriment of other aspects of their lives. We all get busy sometimes, but workaholics never seem to shake the urge to work regardless of the circumstances.
Researchers estimate that about 15% of all people who work fall into this category. It is most commonly associated with people who fall into one of three categories: perfectionists, extroverts, and those with a “Type A” personality, exemplified by a high level of ambition.
As with other compulsive behaviors, workaholism should be considered an addiction with all of the risks thereof.
Causes and cures
With the advancement of technology, tools like email and Zoom have made it difficult to create a clear barrier between our work and personal lives. But if you love doing your job and still make room for family, friends, and self-care, you’re probably not a workaholic … even if you spend a considerable amount of your life focused on work. But if you’re worried that you might be at risk, consider the following questions:
- Are you driven by an internal and uncontrollable motivation to work?
- Are your thoughts almost exclusively focused on work?
- Are you plagued by negative thoughts and emotions when not working?
- Are you trying to accomplish more than is reasonable or rational?
If so, try creating a firm schedule to ensure you’re spending enough of your day recovering from work. Therapy might be able to help you shift your thoughts toward a healthier relationship with work.