“I get up in the morning, and all I can think about is how exciting and challenging my day is going to be,” says Joan, a director at a not-for-profit organization. “People say I’m a workaholic, but all that means to me is that I love my work. Others think it’s a problem, but not me. It may sound idealistic, but I thrive on my work. I feel fulfilled. Why then do people consider it a problem and call me a workaholic?”

Often when we hear the term “workaholic” we think of a negative stereotype – a person driven by stress with an obsessive need to control the outcome of their job. We assume that he or she has no personal life and transfers the needs for love and affection to a career. Some workaholics disagree.

At the most positive end of the spectrum, some high performers view themselves as people with a purpose. Even though they may work very long hours, they experience their work as expanding and nourishing rather than toxic. They know how to use time wisely and, unlike stereotypical workaholics, they manage stress and chaos, juggle multiple priorities, and appear to be in the flow of their work. They are energized and engaged with little concern for the clock on the wall.

Poor performers, on the other hand, often end up managing and micromanaging details and are powerfully addicted to busy-ness. The desire for control becomes overwhelming and when it becomes impossible, poor performers are tired and frustrated. While high performers are motivated by a commitment to their work or to their mission, many workaholics are motivated by a fear of failure. The problem, then, is not long hours or a purposeful focus on work, but an unhealthy addiction.

Self-evaluation

To help you diagnose a possible work addiction, review the following questions. If you answer yes to more than one of them, it is possible that you may have an unhealthy addiction to work.

• Is work your number one priority?
• Is work more exciting than anything else in your life?
• Do you often take work with you to bed?
• Do you become easily impatient with people who do not understand your commitments?
• Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going well?
• Have your personal relationships suffered because of your work demands?
• Do you think about work while driving or falling asleep?
• Do you feel that if you do not control and manage the project, it will not have the desired outcome?
• Do you have difficulty taking time off for a vacation?
• Are you having problems with sleep, diet and/or health because of work related issues?

 

Returning to Joan, is she a fairly typical senior employee at a not-for profit-organization? When funding is limited, resources are cut back and meetings are endless, there is often little time left during the day to take care of the routine and the unexpected. Joan has been know to spend hours with electricians and painters during building renovations, to attend evening meetings for committees and the board, to visit local retailers to ask for sponsorships or fundraising gifts, deal with locksmiths and lawyers, and attend a baby shower in a single day. “When you can’t always delegate to others and when decisions need to be made, it really doesn’t matter what is in your job description or how many hours there are in a day. I enjoy seeing and making things happen.”

What is work-life balance?

From some perspectives, Joan’s work life would seem unbalanced. What is work- life balance? The classic definition of this phrase is “a state of equilibrium in which the demands of both a person’s job and personal life are equal.” And yet for many, the idea of equal balance between the two sides is not a reality or a real need. There is no measurement for the balance because happiness moves from one side of the equation to the other and creates imbalances at times. When we examine the number of hours we spend at our jobs, thinking about our jobs, or working from home, there is an imbalance for many. The enjoyment and satisfaction of working at a meaningful or challenging project can also bring about happiness and joy. If an employee believes in his or her work, and/or the mission and vision, there is no sacrifice or imbalance. If the environment provides ongoing positive stimulations and reward, an employee will continue to thrive and feel fulfilled.

But what happens when a personal side exists – with real demands, real family members, commitments and issues? The imbalance can destroy marriages, relationships, and health. In this case, one could argue that being a workaholic is an unhealthy addiction, which like all addictions, needs to be treated. Unhealthy work addictions are best dealt with by professional counselors and therapists who specialize in workplace problems.

What is burnout?

Burnout is defined by Herbert Freunden-berger as: “A state of fatigue brought about by a devotion to a cause, a way of life, or a relationship that failed to produce the expected reward.”

Today, many employees believe that feeling burnout is a normal part of daily work life. How many have also lost their vision and motivation, and feel burdened with the weight of all their obligations and responsibilities. The road to burnout is usually associated with neglect of personal basic needs, which translates into disengagement and loss of productivity. In this performance-driven economy, working hard is necessary for many employees to succeed on the job. However, when work consumes you and makes you unhappy, it is time to face your addiction.

What is engaged performance?

A research paper titled Engage Employees and Boost Performance, by Hay research, and other studies by leading business schools confirm the engagement/productivity link. The research strongly suggests that “people who believe their jobs are meaningful channel their discretionary effort into their work.” For them, “strong leadership is the ultimate perk.” Engaged performance is about instilling enthusiasm and passion for work, to the point where people find such meaning in their jobs that they no longer compartmentalize their “work” and “private” lives. Organizations seek out these types of employees and when they find them, they have a winning combination…as long as the employee maintains the state of being engaged and rewarded. If reward or satisfaction is missing, employees may move from engagement into a state of burnout.

Loving your job

On the other hand, if you love your work, your personal life is supportive, and you are able to find meaning and purpose without a strong need for controlling every aspect of your job, you are one of the lucky people whose “addiction” to work is positive. You view the term “workaholic” as an affirmative descriptor. The good news is that you can expect the emotional, monetary, and personal benefits of a happy career. There are times when life will provide you with a project you love or a longer term job that is fulfilling and it will be a time when it is acceptable to love your job. There will be no thinking about addiction or negative associations because the “flow” of work will be stronger than any other feelings. It all depends on your definition of balance.

Source: Stress and Violence Workshop, Workplaces that Work! 2004

Source: www.mentalhealthworks.ca

Source: Work-Life Conflict in Canada in the New Millennium, 2003, Linda Duxbury and Chris Higgins

Source: Engage Employees and Boost Performance, This working paper is the product of research conducted by Helen Murlis and Peggy Schubert. 2001 Hay Group, Inc.

Teresa Howe, CHRP, author and principal of Workplaces That Work!, offers human resources consulting and training. An experienced HR executive, she directed the HR function at a company that was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for a record four consecutive years. A long-standing member of the HRPAO, she also serves as president of the Board of Directors for JobStart, a not-for-profit organization that helps people overcome barriers to employment. For customized workshops or consulting information, please email Teresa at tandthowe@yahoo.ca.