How Do I Know If I AM a Workaholic
Submitted by Elisabeth_Davies on
A workaholic should not be confused with a hard worker. Working lots of hours is quite common in America. Approximately 63 percent of Americans work more than 40 hours per week, and 40 percent exceed 50 hours per week.* Working so many hours that we do not have the time or energy for other things or people in our life, is only one indication that we may be a workaholic.
A workaholic works beyond what is required to provide the necessary needs for themselves or their family. They have an irresistible impulse to continue working, despite the negative consequence it causes with their relationships, health, family, or outside activities. This is what determines a workaholic over a hard worker.
What drives one to be a workaholic, can be rooted in a distorted belief system. Beliefs such as:
• “I’m the only one who can do the job right.”
• “My worth is based on status or possessions and I have to work more to get more.”
• ”My worth is based on how much I do and I have to do more to prove my worth.”
Changing distorted beliefs can be very challenging, because our ego thinks what we believe is right and we justify our behavior. Changing our distorted beliefs would require us to be willing to accept truth and perspectives other than our own. This can be effectively done in a group type setting, where many outside perspectives are shared that challenge our current beliefs. Workaholics anonymous is one group setting that may be a helpful place to start. http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/
Like many things we do compulsively, whether it be overeating, over working, over spending, over drinking, over smoking, etc., the consequences have to be painful,and deeply important to us before we consider managing the problem. Emotional or physical pain get our undivided attention and can provide a willingness on our part to problem solve as a means to decrease our pain.
Some effective problem solving strategies for workaholism include:
• A balanced lifestyle: see the ‘Life Balance Grid’ above. Check mark off each of the 9 catagories you do daily, to keep track of daily life balancing.
• Redefine your worth, based on your inherent qualities, not on how much you do. ‘Even if I didn’t work, I have value as a human being because…’
• Be a part of a group that gives you perspective on how your choices are effecting you and people who care about you. Be open to feedback.
• Read articles and books, or listen to information that specifically addresses balancing life and work. Apply what you learn.
• Staying busy working can be a distraction from an unresolved problem we feel helpless to solve. Take time to journal a few minutes a day to self-reflect about this. Seek counsel to gain effective coping strategies to manage the unresolved problem.
• Ask yourself each day, When I get to the end of my life and I account for my time on earth, did I spend it in ways that were most meaningful?
• Do 5 minutes of daily meditation to slow impulsive thoughts and be present ‘being’, rather than ‘doing’.
Many of us work hard in jobs that still don’t pay all our bills each month. Fortunately there are numerous churches, charities, programs and generous people who donate food and shelter to those who are unable to provide for themselves.
Work that is meaningful serves others. It is important to let people know that they are more important than ‘tasks.’ We can do this by giving them our undivided attention.
May you be truly blessed in all your work that benefits others
Elisabeth Davies, MC