ALT-1 Personality Traits of a Workaholic
Dictionary.com defines a workaholic as: “at the expense of other pursuits.” Other pursuits could be family, free time or even a social life; things most people need to feel healthy and whole. Do you think you know someone like this? Maybe it’s a friend or family member who just can’t seem to turn off work when they come home for the day. Perhaps it’s a co-worker who can’t seem to delegate.
Regardless of your suspicions about the overworked people in your life, workaholism is a serious problem, and a legitimate addiction. To spot it, become aware of the most common personality traits of a workaholic.
No. 1: Preoccupation with work.
Workaholics can’t turn work off. They will pick up working from home, checking emails, obsessively staring at BlackBerrys or even get on instant messaging chats with coworkers, about work.
For workaholics, work dominates their conversation in social settings. Work defines them, and in this way, consumes them.
Workaholics are also uncomfortable using sick days or vacation days. When unable to get to work, workaholics might experiencephysical withdrawal symptomssuch as depression and headaches.
No. 2: Unable to delegate.
Manyare poor delegators. They need to feel in control at all times. Workaholics convince themselves that only they can handle the tasks at hand, and refuse to trust anyone else with the responsibility.
No. 3: Neglect other areas of life.
It is common for a workaholic to put work before having a personal life or eventheir family in favor of their work. They will miss dinners and other important events regularly, always using work as an excuse.
No. 4: Make everything about work.
Workaholics may try to turn personal relationships into business endeavors. Suddenly, a workaholic will tie everything in his or her life back to work, without even realizing it. For example, if a workaholic was an author, he might say to a friend, “Let’s write a book together,” when he already has too many unfinished projects on his plate.
No. 5: 'Sneaking' work.
Workaholics (just like most other addicts) try to hide their addiction. They will lie about what they are doing - saying they are playing a game while they are working - without realizing that the lying is hurting their relationships as much as their workaholicism is.
Final Notes
In this day and age, it is extremely difficult to confuse workaholics with hard workers. However, the biggest telltale sign that helps you tell a hard worker from a workaholic is that hard workers maintain an appropriate work-life balance, workaholics don't. Workaholics do not necessarily love their work, nor do they try to excel in their field; workaholics believe that their company (or department) will "fall apart" if they aren't constantly working, so that’s all they can do. If you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from workaholism, check out theseresources.
