The Time Management Training Institute

Work – The Respectable Addiction

Time management is good for a lot of things. It can help you identify your most important tasks and can help you plan your life so those most important things get done. Time management can help you delegate more effectively, work more efficiently, and become more productive; all while helping you to balance all aspects of your life in a more satisfying way. Time management is great for a lot of things, but it can only help you if you are willing to be helped. I run into plenty of people these days that seem to prefer their lives stay jam-packed with high stress, late hours, multi-tasking, and work- related activities. If they take time management training at all, it is only so that they can squeeze more efficiency out of their already hard-driven days. They believe living this way is not only necessary; it is normal. These people are sick.

The dirty little secret about the corporate world is that it is largely populated by workaholics. This problem goes unrecognized most of the time because, even though workaholism has a serious impact on the mental, emotional, physical, and relationship health of people who suffer from it; this disorder initially produces remarkably productive people. In a country founded on the Protestant work ethic, what company isn’t thrilled to have employees who come in early, work late into the evening, take home work at night, and pretty much never quit thinking about ways to work harder and faster than they did yesterday? Also, these employees are generally rewarded with good salaries, bonuses, and promotions, which – in effect – reward them for obsessive compulsive behavior!

Unfortunately, workaholism soon begins to take its toll. Many workaholics are adrenalin junkies who only feel really alive when they are in the middle of high stakes, fast and furious action. This keeps them in a constant state of stress as their “fight or flight” response stays active 24-7. It also elevates blood pressure, disrupts sleep patterns, and makes them more vulnerable to heart disease, cancer, and certain autoimmune disorders.

But that’s nothing compared to the damage workaholism does to relationships. Most workaholics genuinely love their families, but anyone observing their behavior would easily assume they love their jobs more. The amount of time and energy devoted to working or thinking about work – at the office, on the road, at home, during the weekends, late at night, during vacations, and unfortunately, attending to work instead of keeping important promises to spouse and children – leaves very little time to focus on nurturing important relationships. Even when they do make time for a date with their spouse or to attend a child’s school activity, they may be checking their Blackberry frequently.

What factors contribute to workaholism? The roots may stem back to childhood issues; but closer to the surface, there are five different issues that combine to drive this behavior -- a need to feel important, a need to be needed, fear of failure connected to anxiety about financial security, adrenalin addiction, and perfectionism. However, the first step is not identifying the cause, but facing the problem. Below is a list of possible workaholism warning signs:

1. Do you get more enthusiastic about your work than about family or anything else?

2. Do you have this nagging feeling that you should be working, even when you don’t have to be working?

3. Do you take work with you to bed? on weekends? on vacation?

4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?

5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?

6. Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures?

7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts?

8. Have your family and friends given up expecting you on time?

9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't otherwise get done?

10. Have you had to miss an important family activity or break a promise more than once in the past 3 months because of work?

11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing?

12. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?

13. Are you afraid that if you don't work hard you will lose your job or be a failure?

14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?

15. Are you by nature a highly energetic and competitive person?

16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?

17. Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?

18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others are talking?

19. Do you work or read during meals?

20. Is making more money a central focus in your life?

You don’t think you have a problem? I knew of a guy once whose family held an intervention to help him face his workaholism. Finally, he agreed to check into a treatment facility. He showed up at the hospital with his laptop, a portable fax, and his Blackberry. He assumed that he would be able to at least work a little between sessions. Don’t be that guy; that’s all I’m saying.