Am I a Workaholic? Learn 6 tips to Overcome Workaholism

A Client Example of a Workaholic

Recently a client confessed to me, “I find myself working 70 or more hours each week. I have no time or energy for anything other than work. I don’t see my family, I don’t have time for friends or hobbies and I feel completely overwhelmed. I want more time and fulfillment in my life. I would rather divide my time between work, nature, people in my life and travel as opposed to oozing out meager samplings of these between work.”

This is a common concern. People are working more hours than ever. They make a good income and are able to afford more material possessions, but at the expense of their happiness and satisfaction.

As the client above stated, she’s unhappy, exhausted and creatively starved.

Am I a Workaholic? Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do you make work top priority?
2. Does work invade your personal life?
3. You lack any free time?
4. Do you show signs of burnout?
5. Is your job your identity?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you are most likely a workaholic and would benefit from the tips mentioned below.

If you think, “I am a workaholic” then leverage these 6 tips to overcome workaholism

1. Begin by simplifying your life.

   Look at all of the things that you tolerate that only serve to limit you and drain your energy. Make a goal to systematically eliminate them all from your life.

2. Make an appointment with yourself.

   This week make an appointment by marking your calendar and keeping the appointment with yourself as you would an appointment with your most important client.

3. Examine what you want from your life and what is standing in your way.

   Look at what unwanted energy drains you need to remove from your life to make this happen. Do you need to pay off credit cards? Do you need to simplify your living situation? Can you incorporate a more flexible schedule so that you can have more time for fulfillment? Can you take a time management or organizing seminar so that you use your time more effectively? Brainstorm and see what comes to mind. Make a plan with concrete action steps with deadlines and follow through.

4. Get support.

   Talk to friends and colleagues to see if they are going through the same situation and help each other brainstorm solutions. Enlist the support of a coach to help you set and achieve practical goals and regain balance.

5. Celebrate even the small triumphs of your life.

   We often become so absorbed in accomplishing tasks or to-do lists that we overlook opportunities to experience joy and satisfaction.

6. Notice where you focus your attention.

   Carlos Castaneda once said, “The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.” Take this quote to heart. Write it down and tape it to your computer screen or bathroom mirror. Then, every morning, ask yourself: “What am I going to emphasize today?“