SO YOU MIGHT BE A WORKAHOLIC

By Terry Orr

Monday’s article Social Wellness (http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2013/07/social-wellness.html) mentioned finding Balance in our lives that also applies to those who are workaholics.

10 Clues That You’re a Workaholic

1 – Whenever you delegate a task, you can’t let it go because “nobody can do it like it I can?

2 – When asked the question, “Who are you?,” you immediately think of five work-related qualities to describe yourself, and virtually none that aren’t related to your job.

3 – There is no specific time when work ends.

4 – Even if you are “off” from work, you’re restless and even anxious, thinking about what you need to do when you get back in the office.

5 – You replay work conversations in your head all the time, even when away from the office.

6 – Work excites you more than anything you have going on in your personal life.

7 – You haven’t been in touch with family members in weeks, or months. You haven’t been in touch with once-close friends for months, or years.

8 – Your family members/loved ones no longer act surprised or disappointed that you cancel time with them, or are hours late for events.  Or get on the smart phone to put out an office fire when you’re with them.

9 – You think about solving work problems while driving and trying to get to sleep – and while someone else is talking to you about something completely unrelated to your job.

10 – Whatever you do, you’re constantly being told it’s not good enough.  But it’s not a boss or customer saying this.  It’s you.

So, how many of them apply to you?

Four Ways to Help Yourself

1 – Gravitate toward work that you do for your own fulfillment, as opposed to doing it to gain someone else’s “approval” or simply to make money/advance in position.

2 – Establish clear boundaries between your work and private life.  Set aside “no work zones” within your home physical space, as well as during certain times of the day. (And that includes calling up your work emails)

3 – Leave work at work.  Spend time with family, friends discussing other topics instead of office “war stories.”

4 – Build a fulfilling life away from work. Volunteer, join activity clubs that interest you, set personal goals to achieve non-work related “life milestones” – anything to get you productive, occupied and happy doing something that has nothing to do with your job.

 (Photos from Google)