Are You a Workaholic?

It’s the Monday after New Years which means I can safely assume you’re probably headed back to work today. Whether you’re working from home or working from the office, you might be very excited to go back to work today for a plethora of reasons.

Being passionate and/or excited about the work that you’re doing is a beautiful thing. But as we all know there’s a fine line between being passionate about your work and being addicted to it. A workaholic is someone who works excessively and compulsively and is unable to detach from work. Workaholism is an addiction that can prevent people from maintaining healthy friendships and relationships and can also take a toll on someone’s health.

The ultimate question you can ask yourself to find out if you’re a workaholic or not is—

What drives your desire to work?

If you’re being driven by passion, excitement, and eagerness to help, you’re probably not a workaholic. But if you’re driven by a constant need for validation and have a sense of emptiness, then you might be a bit of a workaholic.

Workaholics have very unrealistic expectations for themselves and sometimes even others in the work place. They bite off more than they can chew which in turn can cause them to feel overwhelmed, depressed and not good enough. Workaholics also think that they will be perceived as weak or less than if they do take a break. If you also tend to make yourself available during non work hours or off days it might also be a sign that you need to re-evaluate your work life balance.

What if I might be addicted to work?

If you think you might be someone who is or is becoming a workaholic, take some time to re-evaluate and re-prioritize your goals. If you think you might be addicted to your work one of the first things you can do is try to take a break and see how you feel. When taking a break, try to focus on the present and keep from having thoughts that just focus on your work life. If you are unable to stop thinking about work and have an overwhelming sense of guilt when you do leave your work it might be a good idea to seek a healthcare professional to talk with who can help you refocus on your life.

Look at yourself in the mirror and say—

I will work because I’m passionate about what I do—not because I’m afraid of what might happen if I rest.

I do not need to be afraid to take care of myself.

I am good enough and the amount that I work does not define my worth.

Self-care is non-negotiable for me.

I was not created to just work and work and work.

If I take care of myself first, it will make me better at the work that I do.

Just like all of our electronic devices we too need to take time to recharge or we will in fact burnout. We can’t effectively pour into our loved ones and our responsibilities if we are not taking the time to pour into ourselves. Creating a healthy relationship with your work will help every area of your life, it might take time but it is well worth it.

Do you have work, life balance?

‍