How not to be a workaholic
May 9th, 2008The answer is simple: Just make time for yourself.
If you’ve ever observed work-obsessed people, you will notice that one of the common factors among almost all of them is the fact that they rarely—if ever—make time for themselves. And the scariest part? They don’t even realize it.
I mean, it’s not as if they set out to make work their life. Sometimes they use it to fill a void, sometimes they just get too carried away with the illusive “future” and what they need to do today to be where they want to be tomorrow—but regardless of reason, if they just set aside time for themselves each week, many would be in far better shape (if only mentally) than they currently are. (And if you want to get technical, being in better shape mentally = more productivity, so really it’s a win/win!)
I visit both sides of the fence on a regular basis. Being a business owner, I know what it’s like to sacrifice, and I all-too-well understand the concept of delayed gratification—but the thing that most of these people somehow overlook is the fact that no matter what you do, there must always be balance. You can be successful without giving up everything, even when it doesn’t always look like it’s possible.
Being young and terribly fail at self-denial are two of the biggest things that have kept me from becoming a workaholic. I actually do enjoy going out, seeing friends, watching movies and generally participating in activities that can only be described as “time well wasted”—such activities balance out my more intensive points. But the older I get, the more I realize how easy it is to slowly separate yourself from the fun and lose yourself in the necessary—and that’s where you need to be careful.
Balance, people. It’s one of the secrets of life.
So workaholics and those at the brink of being work-obsessed: take some time for yourself. Maybe you should spend more time with the people you love. Maybe you should take a day (or week, or month) away from your work. Maybe you should spend more time doing the things you used to love before you stopped having time for them. Or maybe you should just get some sleep.
Just make time for yourself.
I’ve always had a problem with sacrificing things (maybe I’m just too greedy and selfish) so I don’t think I can ever become a workaholic… believe me I’ve tried but failed terribly. I love having free time and do whatever I want without worrying. =P
May 10th, 2008 at 2:25 amSleep? Relaxing? Excuse me? :P Just kidding. I’m not sure I’d be classified as a “workaholic” (more of a “schoolaholic” if such a thing exists) but you’re right with the empty void. The thought of finishing school this summer and then… nothingness except socialising is actually a frightful prospect. How on Earth do you occupy yourself if you’re not working? I can’t comprehend it.
You just seem so “balanced” and “sorted”, Chanel. :)
May 10th, 2008 at 2:37 amI am a “schoolaholic” thsese days, but I have realized that I need to take some time off from studying (even if exams are coming up) at least a few hours a few times a week. My head would explode if I didn’t.
May 10th, 2008 at 2:49 amI think I’m prone to be a workaholic when I start working though, wanting to do my best and everything, so I’m gonna have to keep this blog in mind so I won’t get lost :)
I have never been in the position of being a workaholic before, since I don’t have a job. But hopefully when I’m older and do have one, I won’t become a workaholic. I know people who are workaholics and it doesn’t seem to be very fun :P.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:33 amGreat points, Chanel! (I’m reading this from work, on Saturday, right now!)
May 10th, 2008 at 11:45 ami’ve got to let you know about some plagiarism. see this page
http://stfu.egoism.ee/?p=96
has copied your post (i believe that it has happened without your permission)
best wishes
Reply: You would be correct! Thanks for bringing this to my attention. :)
July 16th, 2008 at 2:30 am[…] One minute I’m snarking popular television shows, the next I’m talking about very real workaholic tendencies. If you were to average out my personality over the different social circles I frequent, this is […]
September 1st, 2008 at 12:46 amI understand this completely. While I am not a business owner, I am a mother of 5 children and I do work. So, it is easy to set the things that I want and I need off to the side to take care of my family. I used to do nothing but cook, clean and then go to work. I rarely took 20 minutes here and there to myself, I rarely even sat down. I was so obsessed with making sure my house was seamlessly sterile for my children that when I wasn’t spending time with them I was cleaning (and sometimes both at once). I have learned to not be so obsessive about it and to sit down every once in a while and do something for myself, even if it’s something as simple as commenting on your website or painting my toenails. Some things still are out of reach, I mean come on, I have 5 children and to find a sitter for that many kids (including a newborn) is difficult, especially to find a sitter I trust. But I definitely know that I have learned to sacrifice that little smudge mark on my window for 10 minutes of “me” time. :D
September 10th, 2008 at 10:41 am