Sometimes we must ask ourselves…are we living to work or working to live?
For centuries we have been pushing the idea of the American Dream on people by authors, educators, and entrepreneurs. You can achieve anything if you work hard and put the appropriate time and energy into professional development.
While this is theoretically correct – the nature of the American business world makes it achievable for anyone to find monetary success – the notion of chasing the dream has eventually raised an extensive problem: workaholism.
What is Workaholism?
Work was never supposed to be the most fulfilling part of life. The objective of work is to give back to society, earn money to maintain a livelihood, and save for future expenses. Over time, the American idea of work has become corrupted.
Standard 40-hour workweeks have turned into 50, 60, or even worse 70-hour workweeks. But the long hours aren’t the only problem. Many people often attach themselves to their jobs and look for their optimum value and purpose. Everything they do focuses on their work, which often leads to workaholism.
According to American Addiction Centres, anyone who exhibits a high rate of four of the following seven criteria is supposed to be a workaholic:
- Extremely focussing on ways to make more time in one’s schedule to work.
- Consistently working longer hours than initially anticipated.
- Using work as a coping mechanism for managing guilt, anxiety, the feeling of powerlessness, and depression.
- Disregarding the concern of family and friends about the amount of time spent working.
- Feeling stressed if one is not able to work.
- Routinely compromising mental and physical health at the cost of working.
5 Ways to Beat Workaholism
Perhaps you’ve never contemplated the fact that you might be a workaholic, but the signs are not deceptive. Whether you are just coming to terms with the fact that you suffer from workaholism, or you’ve known that it is an issue for several years, here are some practical action steps you can take:
1. Bring The Real Issue to Light
What is the real issue you’re facing? Workaholism isn’t the principal cause – it’s anxiety, fear of rejection, craving for approval, etc. Until you figure out the root, you won’t be able to accurately approach the issue of your addiction.
2. Pay Attention to Your Personal Life
A way to conquer workaholism is to find meaning in other things. When you begin to find value in relationships, hobbies, and personal health – to name a few categories – the importance of work will vanish. This doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly terminate to work hard – just that your priorities will be straightened out.
3. Set a Regulated Schedule
If you talk to people who have successfully overcome workaholism and now enjoy a healthy work-life balance, you will find that most of them are good at setting a regulated schedule and sticking with it. You should learn to follow the same. Set your work hours and stand by them, no matter the repercussion.
4. Don't Bring it Home
The hardest test of all! When you’re on your job, be the best lawyer, doctor, athlete, mechanic, programmer, etc. that you can be. When you’re off the clock, be the best that you can be. To do this, you must be determined about unplugging from work. when you go home, make sure to log out of your email, turn off your work phone, and do not focus on work until you clock back in. Make an agreement with yourself that you will not work past a certain time, and honor that time to shut everything off. Learn to walk away. It's time to be the person who might just be unavailable to work for a little while.
5. Use Your Time Off
Here’s an unconventional idea: use your vacation time and days off instead of accumulating them for a rainy day! Individuals who take vacations are proven to be happier and have a better outlook. Don’t dissipate this gift!
Don’t Suffer Alone
You aren’t alone in your workaholism. Chances are you have family members, friends, and coworkers who are suffering from workaholic behavior and its repercussions. The more vocal you are about your struggles, the more support, encouragement, and lucidity you will find. Therefore, talking about it will eventually help you and someone who is suffering from the same problem in a righteous manner, just like you, many people are suffering in silence, totally unaware of this problem and its negative effects of it. Being a workaholic doesn’t benefit anyone – not you, not your team, not your company, and not even the world. You’ll be much more efficient – not to mention happier – with sufficient rest, sleep, breaks, and time to nurture relationships and interests outside of work. Taking care of yourself keeps you on the top of your game and in the game.