The goWholesale Blog

Are you a workaholic?

January 21st, 2008

If you are starting a new business, chances are that you aren’t getting much sleep, much exercise, or much free time to do anything. This kind of dedication to the business is necessary and understandable in the start up years–even expected. Almost like earning your entrepreneur “stripes” or paying your dues. I mean, you’ll want to have some good stories for your grandchildren right?

But there comes a time when some people, for whatever reason, cross the line between hard work/dedication and slip into the “workaholic” zone. If you are single and childless and plan on staying that way for the rest of your life, then by all means, go for it. But if you are like most, you have a spouse and/or children (and if you don’t you’d probably like to have one or both someday) and will need to learn the importance of balancing your work life and your personal life. If you are struggling with this and feel like your personal life is suffering due to your addiction to your work then you may want to reevaluate your routine.

While some of you reading this may find this post amusing or even a bit ridiculous, for others, it is truly an issue. So for those of you who think you might be a compulsive worker here are a few questions straight from the Workaholics Anonymous webiste that may help you figure out if you are working too much:

  1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else?
  2. Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when you can’t?
  3. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?
  4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?
  5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
  6. Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures?
  7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts?
  8. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
  9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won’t otherwise get done?
  10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to complete it?
  11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing?
  12. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?
  13. Are you afraid that if you don’t work hard you will lose your job or be a failure?
  14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?
  15. Do you do things energetically and competitively including play?
  16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?
  17. Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?
  18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others are talking?
  19. Do you work or read during meals?
  20. Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life?

If you answer “yes” to three or more of these questions you may be a workaholic. Please visit the Workaholics Anonymous website for more information.

If you don’t think you are a workaholic, but would still like some tips on maintaining a healthy work/life balance you might want to check out “Achieving a Work Life Balance Wherever You Work”

Oh, and Happy MLK Day!

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