It’s the addiction that no one frowns upon. With so many other bad habits out there, like drugs, binge eating, and alcoholism, can being addicted to work really be all that bad? After all, those are the winners, right? They’re the ones who make the big bucks, claw their way to the top, and receive the promotions, raises, and praise from the Powers That Be. They’re the ones we look up to.
While that may be true, those same 5-Star employees are working themselves to ruin.
Workaholism has become a national identity, not just confined to a few law firms in select cities like New York or Los Angeles. Americans put in more work hours than any other industrialized nation, and we also get the least vacation time—just two weeks annually, if we’re lucky (with over 40% of us getting no paid vacation at all). In contrast, most Europeans enjoy four to six weeks of vacation time. In fact, the initiative Take Back Your Time claims that the average U.S. worker now works more than medieval peasants did. Just chew on that for a minute.
This increased time spent at work is not paying off either. We’re not the most efficient workers when compared to other nations such as France or Belgium. Many doctors believe this inefficiency is due to our high stress levels. Since we take less time off than workers in other countries, we’re actually accomplishing less overall because we’re so burnt out. It’s not getting better; our work hours are increasing each year while most other industrialized nations are seeing theirs decline. So, year after year, we’re working more and getting less done.
Defining “work addiction” takes some thought. Most of us, even while working hard, are not truly addicted to our jobs. We might be working overtime due to company policies, passion for our work, or pressure from our bosses (think “Office Space”). There is a clear separation between our work and home lives. When we go home, we engage with our kids, talk to our spouses, have dinner, and enjoy some personal time. We don’t obsess about work when we’re not at the office.
For a workaholic, however, there is no distinction between personal and work time. They work incessantly because they feel they “need” to, not because they’re forced to. When they’re not working, they feel restless and constantly think about work, even during other activities. To a workaholic, their job defines who they are and dictates their self-worth.
The negative effects of work addiction can be devastating, particularly in personal relationships. Imagine if your spouse consistently worked 80 hours a week, year after year. When they finally took time off, instead of spending it with you or the kids, they’d be distracted, thinking about work or making phone calls. How long do you think you’d stay?
Health is another major concern for workaholics. They often put themselves under extraordinary amounts of stress, which can lead to issues like obesity, high blood pressure, ulcers, and other conditions. Many workaholics work themselves to an early grave due to heart attacks or strokes.
So what causes a workaholic?
Bryan Robinson, PhD, author of “Chained to the Desk” and other books on workaholism, believes many workaholics come from perfectionist families that expect extreme success from their children. Others may have parents with other addictions, such as alcohol or drug abuse.
It’s important to realize that you don’t necessarily have to hold a job to be a workaholic. Many stay-at-home parents have been diagnosed as such, spending excessive time working on the PTA, Scouting, or leading their kids’ sports teams. If what you’re working on leaves you with no time for relaxation or personal growth, then you may be a workaholic.
So, what are the signs? Asking yourself the following questions may help you discover if you or someone you love is addicted to work:
- Do you get more excited about work than anything else in your life?
- Do you take work to bed or home on the weekends?
- Do your friends and family give up on you arriving anywhere on time?
- Do you think it’s okay to work long hours if you’re passionate about what you’re doing?
- Are you afraid of being a failure if you don’t work hard?
- Do you get irritated when friends or family interrupt your work time to spend time with you?
- Are your long work hours harming other relationships in your life?
- Do you take on extra work because you don’t think it will be done properly otherwise?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, how do you get help? Unlike drug users and alcoholics, people can’t simply quit cold turkey from their jobs (although, wouldn’t it be nice if we could?). Barring quitting and becoming homeless, how can you reasonably stop working so much?
Joining Workaholics Anonymous (www.workaholics-anonymous.org) is a great way to find support from others facing the same addiction. Talking to those who understand your situation can significantly aid in recovery. You can also try these tips:
- Schedule playtime for yourself and stick to it. Whether it’s golf, swimming, or taking your kids to a baseball game, write it into your schedule just as you would a meeting. Leave your cell phone and PDA at home.
- Value yourself. By taking time off, eating right, and getting some exercise, you demonstrate that you respect your life and are committed to a healthy lifestyle.
- Remember that life is meant to be enjoyable too. Allow yourself a few indulgences—a day at the spa, ice cream on weekends—and do it without guilt. Learn to have fun again.
