Why Workaholism is a Serious Problem, and How to Overcome it
This video takes a funny approach to workaholism, but it is a fairly serious problem for some. According to Wikipedia.org:
A workaholic is a person who is addicted to work. The term generally implies that the person enjoys their work; it can also imply that they simply feel compelled to do it. There is no generally accepted medical definition of such a condition, although some forms of stress, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder can be work-related.
Workaholism is not the same as working hard. Despite logging in an extraordinary amount of hours and sacrificing their health and loved ones for their jobs, workaholics are frequently ineffective employees.
As you can see, workaholics can sacrifice their health so it can become very dangerous. Here are 5 ways to balance your work life with the rest of your life (from savannahnow.com):
1. Get the support you need.
Counseling will help you focus on the bigger picture and shift your energy from work to other important things, like your health.
2. Schedule non-cancelable leisure activities.
Put your leisure activities in your calendar and consider them appointments, the same way you would for work appointments. Most importantly, schedule blocks of time like holidays to wind down.
3. Get to the source of the underlying issue.
Does anxiety or a lack of confidence drive you to prove yourself? Low self-esteem and the need to overachieve are often at the core of this addiction.
4. Set boundaries.
Leave work at a reasonable set time and leave your work at the office. This requires focused self-discipline and the help of someone to keep you accountable.
5. Learn to delegate.
Most workaholics believe they are the only ones who can do the job right, and are perfectionists. Eliminating the need for control will help solve the dysfunction of workaholism. But as the video demonstrates, sending your assistant to a workaholics meeting is futile. What’s most important is that you recognize when you need to work less.
Overcoming workaholism requires putting yourself before your work, and taking the time to realize what you truly desire. Nobody truly wants to work 20 hour days because it leaves you mentally and physically exhausted. For more advice on relieving work related stress, see:
