5 Signals That You May Be a Workaholic

amazing-person-istock-photoWho loves a Workaholic? Another Workaholic. Career Journal’s “Five Signals That You May Be a Workaholic” by Dana Mattioli discusses a serious matter of ”the best dressed addiction,” causing unhealthy side effects such as fatigue, sleep disorders; and stress-related ailments, such as heart attack and stroke. While the possible health effects are serious. Some of us choose to be a workaholic and are able to function because we’re in a relationship with another workaholic. But is this good in the long run? No, of course.

Five Signals of Workaholics

Below are Mattioli’s five signals of dysfunction for hard working people who are workaholics. I’ve added my commentary, since I found the list interesting from my perspective.

  1. Preoccupation with work: “Workaholics typically have difficulty leaving the office while home or in social situations and are unable to “turn work off,” says Dr. Robinson, who says he is a recovered workaholic.” I do try to be present in the moment when I’m with friends. But I find creative ideas or can solve problems all the time. I frequently have the thoughts on the back burner that can arise anytime. I’m an entrepreneur, so I’m always on. When I worked for others, I was able to maintain some boundaries.
  2. Discomfort in delegating: “Many workaholics are poor delegators because of their need to control.” As an entrepreneur, I don’t have anyone to delegate to! When I was a VP, I delegated the things I need to and some things I’d have to keep. I enjoyed training and reinforcing tasks that I thought my direct reports should learn and master. Again, I think my workaholic tendencies are when I’m working for my own company, not others.
  3. Neglect other aspects of their life: “Often workaholics put work before their families and personal lives.” My personal life and my work life are overlapping circles, except with my family. I only see my mother and brother a few times a year so nothing gets in the way of my time with them.
  4. Merge other parts of their lives into work: “Because work is constantly on the brain, workaholics may try to create businesses based on their hobbies. There is no demarcation between leisure and work for a workaholic.” My hobbies include things that challenge my mind or help my business ideas. When it’s your own startup, it is your life, especially if you have a burn rate. Of course, this doesn’t work if you have kids.
  5. ‘Sneaking’ work: “Workaholics, like other addicts, when confronted about their addiction, often try to hide it. Years ago, a big briefcase was difficult to hide, but today smart phones can let people practically hide their cubicles in their pockets.” Fortunately, I don’t have to hide it. And fortunately, I also have a tendency to be a sloth, by doing marathons of watching DVDs or boxed sets like Friends, X-Files, Golden Girls, or all Star Wars movies. I don’t sneak. I just work. Then not work.

3 Tips for Warding Off Workaholism

For those of you who are seriously worried about becoming or being a workaholic, Mattioli provides three tips for ”keeping your zeal for your job from becoming unhealthy from psychologists and researchers.” Here’s her list with my thoughts:

  1. Set boundaries: “After work hours, leave your BlackBerry in the car or turn it off. If you must check your work email, limit your log-ins. Eat lunch away from your desk, and don’t bring work on vacation.” I do remember being on vacation, driving on sunny Cape Cod, then received a phone call from my VP. Let’s just say that call didn’t go over well, since I didn’t respect the set boundaries. The VP could hear the uncomfortableness in my voice, then left me alone the rest of my vacation.
  2. Reframe your identity: “At social events, practice introducing yourself and conversing without talking about your job or work.” Hopefully, we’re all active listeners and listen to others talk.
  3. Track your habits: “Keep a journal of daily activities, work and personal. Evaluate it once a month, looking for imbalances. Identify areas of your life you may need to dedicate more time to.” Between the Moleskine and David Seah forms, I’m tracking.

In all seriousness, I know this addiction is a real problem in the workforce. For more information, check out Bryan Robinson’s book, Chained to the Desk (Second Edition): A Guidebook for Workaholics, Their Partners and Children, and the Clinicians Who Treat Them or Diane Fassel’s book, Working Ourselves To Death: The High Cost of Workaholism and the Rewards of Recovery.

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