If you truly love what you do, it’s easy to lose yourself in your work. Sometimes, without even realizing it, work can slowly start to consume our lives. You might be working long hours at the office, unable to switch off in your downtime, or constantly feeling like you have so much to do. These practices / feelings slowly turn you into a workaholic. The key is to catch the signs before it becomes a disaster-situation.
This slideshow presents you with a list of signs that might suggest that you’re turning into a workaholic so you can find room for balance and not let your life go off the rails.
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Constantly Thinking About Work
It’s natural to want to get the job done, but it should not consume every waking instant of your day. If you are thinking about projects or tasks when you should be relaxing, you might be struggling to turn off. Even your favorite movie may not be able to stop work thoughts from popping into your head. All that mind buzz can make it hard for you to relax and unwind.
Ignoring Friends and Family
Are you missing too many family dinners or turning down your friends because there is one more thing at work that needs to be done? Don’t miss this sign! This behavior can put a strain on relationships and make you feel isolated as time goes by. You can choose to lie to yourself that work is super important, but the truth is that healthy relationships and living a good quality life are some of the most important things in our lives.
Taking a Break But Feeling Bad
Taking a break should be refreshing, but if you feel guilty about it, then it’s a good indicator that you are a workaholic. Instead of relaxing, the guilty feeling compounds and makes it harder for you to be productive when you return. Taking that much-needed downtime from work can actually lead to increased creativity and productivity.
Working Late or On Weekends
If you have been staying late at the office every Friday or working during weekends – it’s time to re-think. Yes, occasionally you may have to put in extra hours. But if you’re constantly working late, it can be very tiring. It’s great to be dedicated to your job and getting the work done, but working overtime consistently can be harmful for your overall health. Boundaries are key because a sharper mind is a more productive one.
Difficulty Delegating Tasks
If it feels like you are the only one doing any work, you might be a workaholic. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking no one can do it like you can, only causing stress where there need not be. It’s crucial to trust the people you work with and relieve yourself from some tasks that can be done by others. Working as a team can make a big difference and work can be actually fun when everybody in the team is contributing equally.
Physical Symptoms of Stress
Did you know stress can come in the form of headaches, body aches & lack of sleep due to how you work? These physical symptoms are there to tell you that you are getting burned out. If you sweep these issues under a rug, they can result in more serious health problems later on. The morale of the story is that you must pay attention to your body and take action if you see these warning signs.
Neglecting Self-Care
It is easy for self-care to get lost in the shuffle when work takes over. You miss meals, no time to exercise, skipping out on other important routines in life, etc. Self-care should be an essential part of your day as it directly and positively impacts your energy, output and quality of life.
Using Work as an Escape
Is work the only thing that that gives you respite from life? If you’re using work as a diversion tactic to get away from other aspects of your life, then it’s time to pause and reflect. While keeping busy can be a nice little distraction while other things in life may not be going as smoothly, ultimately, you need to deal with what is wrong, not just run from it. Talking to a friend or taking up a new hobby can provide that much needed relief.
Anchoring Self-Worth to Productivity
If you constantly tie your value to how much you work, how many hours you put in, or the recognition you have received from work, it can be an unending vicious circle of misery. You’re not just valuable because you are productive.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.