ALT-2 How to Determine if you are a Workaholic
Is it possible you are a workaholic? Do you think you are a workaholic? We all dream of having a job we love; one we have wanted all our lives. One we are eager to get to every day. But how far is to far? When work becomes more important than anything else including your family, you might be becoming a workaholic.
Workaholism is defined as a compulsive need to work, similar to obsessive compulsive disorder. Someone who loves their work can function outside of work but someone who is a workaholic undermines their relationships of every kind. Here's a few ways to tell if you are going from a hard worker to a workaholic.
You only talk about work. The next time you are at a social event of any type, try monitoring what you talk about in a conversation. Take mental notes of what you bring up. Is it your job? Are you hoping someone will ask you about your job? Yes, well then that means it's the only thing you are thinking of; your family and friends will probably notice this and eventually will no longer want to be around you.
You choose work over family and friends constantly. Most workaholics are consistently choosing work for unimportant reasons instead of going to a family events, school plays or things with your children. These things go unnoticed by the person doing them. Although, their family will realize it. Family and friends can hold resentment. No matter how well the job pays it is not worth ruining relationships with family and friends.
You get anxious when you are not working. Being unable to relax no matter where you are when not working is a huge sign that you are a workaholic. If it is impossible to do simple things like going to a school play without your cell phone, if you can't have a conversation with your spouse about their day and not get sidetracked thinking about work, or if you can't watch a TV show without getting that anxious feeling that you may be missing something, then you are probably a workaholic.
You should take a step back and rethink your work life and home life, come to an agreement with yourself, keep a balance between the two. But always remember your family is more important than your job. Always make sure you make time for yourself, family and friends.
