Hazards of a workaholic life - Actifit: January 2 2020
I will be honest: I am not absolutely certain of the definition of a workaholic. Does it mean you want to stop working so hard, but you can’t? Does it mean you take in extra work that you don’t have to do? Does it mean you are incapable of “calling it a day” when the main tasks are done and everyone else has left the office? Well. I may not actually be a workaholic, but I know one thing. I work a lot. And it never feels like I’m done. One thing runs into another and I feel stressed that the next day a new pile of stuff will pile onto the existing pile and I will be even more buried!
Image source: Pixabay.
The good news is that I love the work I do. But that is almost beside the point, isn’t it? The point is that the day should end at the end of the day.
Here are some of the costs of my over-work lifestyle:
- Exercise. I love exercising—biking, walking, working out—but there is not enough time in the day.
- Enough time with friends and family.
- Time to cook anything more than a quick meal.
- The time I need to go after my creative pursuits.
It's not that I'm not doing those things. Heck, this is my 355th Actifit report! So I am active. And I get exercise almost every day. I am also blogging daily, writing fiction, and participating in two writing groups, two book clubs, my "house girls" group and a walking club. And I have wonderful friends and a great family.
Plus, I really do love the work I do.
So, what's the problem? I'm glad you asked. The problem is that I don't feel I can achieve greatness. I mean there are plenty of opportunities to do small things in a small way -- the short stories I write, for example. Also, quick coffee dates. Fast walks. Short trips. Podcasts. Tweets.
But what if my overworked lifestyle means that I will never do more than skate across the surface of opportunities? What if novel ideas pop into my head, but they are gone before I can somehow find the time to sketch them out?
This is what is troubling me. So. One of my New Year's resolutions is to set a hard stop for my work day at 5:30. I will need to find ways to be more efficient and on task. I may even have to (oh my stars - perish the thought) give up on getting everything done. I may have to leave a mess on my desk, or leave myself notes about where I left off in a half-finished project.
Tonight was the first night of trying to follow this new regimen. I was not successful. I won't mention how late I worked. I will just say that tomorrow is a new opportunity to get it right!
Thanks for reading!
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Some things just are never done and from experience I know that that kind of work would not suit me very well. When I start something, I like to work on it as long as it's finished. No matter how long I've done that or what time is it. After I'm finished, I can move on.
I ques the answer if one is a workaholic could be found from these things: recognizing if you are working too much, admitting if you do, knowing when it's time to stop, actually stop working when you do work too much. Also being able to let go of the thought of working so that your brain can rest too. But of course things never are this simple.
My opinion is that if you or someone else is miserable due to the fact that you work long hours, then it's a problem. But if you work a lot and enjoy it and also you are able to rest when you don't work, I think that's not a problem then. But as you said, you are somewhat troubled with the fact that as you work so much, you don't have time to do other things that you would like to do.
But is it workaholic(ness)? You are just passionate about your work. Is it more about the fact that you are one of those people (like I am) who would love to do so many things in life that it just isn't possible to do everything? And that you also don't like to leave things hanging? But as work and life is what it is, you have to choose and you have chosen. So the tricky part is not getting guilty conscience after choosing.
My way of doing things is (whenever I can) to do that thing I started without thinking what time is it. I start doing it and finish it when it's done, not earlier. Because I don't want to loose my drive. And then off to the next task or rest if needed. But as I sometimes work long hours, I also have more days off and more vacation days than what I had when I was younger. Days when I do nothing work related. Because I know if I start, I can't and I don't want to stop.
So my advice is, do what you love, do it the way you do it best and stop having a guilty conscience about the stuff you didn't do or did differently that how you think it's supposed to do. :)
Great thoughts, @geekdancing! I like the idea of assessing whether any harm is being done to identify whether it’s an actual problem. And I think it’s not terrible, especially because my kids are older now and I’m not leaving my husband to manage dinner and kids. But it’s not great. So I do want to get back in the driver’s seat and feel like I am working intentionally. And I do want the other things. I want more from my life than a pile of finished work and checked off tasks. So I am setting my intention for this year to get better at that elusive work-life balance thing! Thanks again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful reply!
I'm sure you can keep your decision and get more time for other things than just work. :)
Good job on your 7682 @actifit steps @jayna! I completely understand what you are talking about. several years ago, I was in management at a big box retail store in another state. We were required to work 48-52 hours per week, and I had been known to work up to 72 hours per week. I pretty much at the time, traded my family for work. It was not a good thing. I just couldn't seem to let go of the 'work' and redirect my attention where it needed to be. I no longer have that job (thank God), but I still fight the workaholic syndrome. I've gotten better at saying no, at leaving it until tomorrow, if I can't finish it. If I feel out of control, I'll make a list of what's on fire and what isn't and go from there. I'm pulling for you as I do know what you're going through. Take one day at a time. You will find the peace you seek. Have a lovely evening.
Saying "No" is key and discussed in the book The One Thing. I mentioned it another reply to @jayna.
👍
Not my strong suit, but I do need to get better at it! Even my boss says so! 😁
NOt mine either, but 2020 is a year I really plan to apply it.
Good luck to us both!
Thank you for that inspiration, @elizabethbit. I actually did that very thing last — made a big list of all the things that are on my plate, listed the critical items in a hot list and then tiers of priorities below that. It’s one of the reasons I stayed so late at work! But it gave me peace of mind to know what all the things are and what absolutely needs to get done. Running around like a headless chicken is certainly not effective! I just do t want to have to quit my job to get my life back.
I ended up “retiring “ but it wasn’t really. I took another optical job that was a disaster and then shortly after that, got the job I currently have as a licensed optician/office manager/insurance biller/ merchandiser/ jack of all trades, lol. I only work 3 days a week and am VERY happy in this job. Bonus is it’s 10 minutes from home. I know that sounds like a huge slice of work on my plate, but it works out as I have Thursday’s all to myself. No appointments-just me, myself and I so I get a chance to sort of catch up. Best wishes to you as you find your way. You will-you know and things will mellow out. Have a wonderful evening 💕
I too love my work and had the same challenge, especially since I telework a lot. I recommend. It has helped me a great deal:
Thank you very much, @joebrochin! I am going to read it. Believe it or not I “read” at least two books a month via another do-more-with-less-time tactic — audible books. This might be just exactly what I need! At the end of the day (both literally and figuratively, I suppose), I just don’t know how to say: “Even though I’m not done with a stack of priority to-do items, I’m going to stop working and go home.” So I look forward to hearing what this author has to say!
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