Workaholic or Hard Worker?

Diane Fassel, PhD, an Organizational Consultant has said,
"A workaholic will die faster than an alcoholic any day ".

Gone are the days when it was honourable to "work your butt off ", now psychologists have raised the red flag on workaholism.

But how do you know if you are a workaholic and not just a hard worker? You see yourself as being passionate about what you do and are always willing to put in your best at all times.
Yes there have been and still are debates on if being a workaholic is a psychiatric disorder, but impressions are gradually changing.

The truth is that the workaholic is actually "out of control " contrary to the impression he actually tries to portray. Workaholism  is a defensive behaviour or cover up for underlying conditions. Anxiety, depression, low self esteem, intimacy issues may not be unconnected with this disorder.

It is an addiction, an obsessive-compulsive disorder and should not be confused with working had or putting in long hours. The adrenaline surge the workaholic feels gives an illusion of a "high level of energy ".

You are likely to be a workaholic if most of these signs describe you:

• Do you feel drained of energy and purposeless when not at work?
• Do you dread vacations and find it difficult to go on breaks or dream about work even while on vacation?
• Do you have trouble delegating tasks?
• Do you find it difficult getting along with other colleagues?
• Are you addicted to power and control?
• Are you unable to maintain relationships outside of work (like family and friends )?
• Do you have difficulty loosening up, relaxing or just having fun?

Other physiological or psychological symptoms are :anger, depression, anxiety attacks, stomach and head aches. 

If you clearly see yourself in this picture then you definitely need help.

It's important to note that workaholics gradually become less productive; they take up more than they can handle, won't delegate because they feel no one is good enough and crash out of exhaustion. All they had was an "adrenaline high" and this gradually starts to tell on their bodies.

Family and friends have the responsibility of helping these workaholics seek help as most will rarely admit they have a problem.

If you feel you are a workaholic seek help from a psychotherapist. The workaholics anonymous website is also a good place to start.  

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Why this Job?

You are satisfied with your job when you achieve the fullest measure of contentment with what you do and everything about it. Do you love what you do? Do you love how you do what you do?

Job satisfaction leads to the elimination of tension and boredom in the workplace which will improve your efficiency in your organization.

How to Achieve and Maintain Job Satisfaction

1.     Ensure You are in The Right Job

What are your preferences? What are your interests? Are you an extrovert or introvert? Do you prefer dealing with people directly or dealing with things? Some Lawyers deal with people directly while others prefer developing legal documentations. They are both lawyers but with different interests and strengths.

If you love your profession but not your job, you may have to change your method and “adjust” your job description. You may even be a doctor; you love helping people, but the hospital environment is not just working for you. You may function better in a community or public health setting. It all lies within your preferences and strengths.

2. Ensure You are Consistently Improving Yourself

Probably when you got this job, it was the best fit ever. Everything just fell in place; your skills, interests and strengths…but now you feel bored and dull. What could have gone wrong? All you need is more “wood in your fire”.

To maintain your zeal you have to keep feeding yourself with information on what you’re passionate about. Study more about your career and venture into new areas. Take up new challenges and try new methods in your field. I don’t know of any top chef who doesn’t take up the challenge of coming up with new recipes.

You can’t keep doing the same things the same way, day in, day out, you’ll get bored! Try something new, do something extra. You’ll be better for it.

The brain has an instinctual urge for new experiences; learning helps your brain grow and thrive.

3.     Ensure You have Personal Retreats

The path of self discovery should be a deliberate road you choose to walk. You need to take time off to reflect; on yourself, your job and your life in general. Give yourself an appraisal! That will not happen on regular work weeks, so I’ll advise you do this during your leave. If you can take up to three breaks off work, every year, that would be great.

During this retreats you will come up with amazing ideas to improve yourself, relate with others and execute your job or business. You may even come up with a solution to that nagging issue in your office! During these times of self reflection, acknowledge also the little blessings in your life, including your workplace.

Having time to reflect helps you reason and analyze better without distractions. This job may actually be the right one for you!

In whatever job situation you find yourself you must realize that a high remuneration will never give you the contentment you so desire. Satisfaction is an inner desire that needs to be fed from inside. It comes from doing what you were born to do.

What were you born to do?

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