I used to be a huge workaholic. I had a 50-hour-a-week analyst job, was working towards my Finance MBA full-time (taking 12 to 14 credits each semester, including summers), and freelancing online. This added up to working around 80 to 100 hours a week.
Before that, I was a full-time retail manager, double majoring in college (taking about 24 credits each spring and fall semester, and 12 to 14 in the summers), and involved in school clubs. This meant I was busy for around 80 hours each week.
For about 6 to 7 years, I consistently worked between 80 to 100 hours a week, and it definitely took a toll on me. I rarely took breaks, except for a one or two-week vacation each year. I hardly saw my friends, didn’t make any new friends in college, and barely took care of myself. Everything was about work.
While I’m happy with how my life turned out, I sometimes wonder if I pushed myself too hard. The bags under my eyes are proof of many sleepless nights. I also know that I buried myself in work to avoid dealing with my dad’s passing when I was 18, which wasn’t healthy. Being busy 100 hours a week meant I never gave myself time to process my feelings.
Being a workaholic isn’t always bad. It means you’re a good worker and want to succeed. But is there a line between being successful and being a workaholic?
You might be a workaholic if:
– You always work during lunch breaks.
– You take work home.
– You work on vacation.
– You work a LOT.
– You never see your loved ones.
– You do nothing but work.
– You can’t sleep because you’re always thinking about work.
– You have no hobbies except making money.
– Others say you work too much and complain about it.
Here are some things to consider if you’re a workaholic:
**Do you know why you’re a workaholic?**
First, think about why you’re a workaholic. If it’s to get out of debt quickly, a little workaholic behavior might be necessary. But if you’re trying to escape life problems or are obsessed with job security, you need to reevaluate and find a healthier solution.
**What’s more important to you in life?**
Is there something you’d rather be doing instead of working all the time? Maybe you want to spend more time with family and friends, focus on your health, or volunteer. Find a way to include the things you love in your life.
**Have a schedule.**
If you don’t have a schedule that includes other activities besides work, create one. Make it realistic. Set a time to stop working each day, like 6 p.m., and then enjoy yourself, have dinner with family, read a book, etc. Scheduling fun activities might be the only way you allow yourself to do them.
**Think about outsourcing.**
Is there something you do that you could outsource to save time? Maybe someone else can do it faster, or you could focus on other things to increase your revenue. Outsourcing can help you find more time for yourself because you can’t realistically do everything on your own.
**Work more efficiently.**
When working, try to eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV, avoid distracting music, work in an office, and close your social media accounts. Also, if you’re not good at multitasking, stop. Most people aren’t, and it usually just wastes time. Switching tasks repeatedly means some time will always be wasted.
Are you a workaholic? Or have you been one?