Workaholics: Balance Between Work and Life

Let's face it, workaholics are addicts and they need to be treated as such. Okay, so maybe it's not as serious as alcoholism or other addiction related diseases, but the fact of the matter remains that the sheer term "workaholic" is a play on words, mainly originating from alcoholic. Wayne Oats, first coined the term in 1971 in his book titled, Confessions of a Workaholic. And ever since then, the meaning of the word has been exemplified by generations of overachieving, corporate-ladder-climbing human resources who lose sight of life's meaning. But workaholics are not to blame, nor should anyone with an uncontainable urge or disease. In fact, our culture in many ways encourages and reinforces our workaholic ways.

Maybe, then it is in fact time to get serious about workaholism. There we said it. It exists therefore we say it. Although, the term is often time inaccurately and loosely used to describe an energetic person who is committed to their work, revels in their work, has good relations with co-workers and often takes pleasure on non-remunerative activities along with attending to family and social functions. So, what if you're not sure if either you or someone you love is a workaholic? Answering ‘yes' to some or all of the following questions may help to assume whether or not you're dealing with workaholism.

• If you don't work, do you believe that your world will collapse?
• Do you think that you are the only person capable of performing your work?
• Are you exhausted or fatigued by overworking?
• Is your excess work, leading to poor relationships at work or outside of work?

If you answered ‘yes' to most of the questions above, then you are most likely a workaholic. No need for wallowing in lowly self-pity. Like all addictions workaholism can be subdued so long as you recognize that it exists and that you may have it.