Do You Have Workaholic Habits? Isn’t it time something changed?

There is a clear difference between enthusiastic, energetic work towards a highly valued goal and workaholism. That difference lies primarily in the emotional quality of the hours spent. Workaholism has a treadmill, joyless quality, not the bouncy, fun energy of a trampoline. And while working long, hard hours may help you accomplish a primary work goal; it likely will leave other areas of your life—family, friendship, intellectual stimulation, etc.—in shambles.

“Workaholism is an addiction,” Julia Cameron says in her book, The Artist’s Way, “and like all addictions, it blocks creative energy.” Take the following quiz, adapted from Cameron’s book, to help you figure out if you have workaholic habits. Even better, ask a few members of your family, or a few friends, to answer these questions for you. You may be surprised by what you discover.

1. I work beyond normal office hours. 

2. I cancel dates with friends or family members to do more work.

3. I postpone outings until my deadline project is done.

4. I take work with me on vacation.

5. I take my laptop with me on vacation. 

6. I take work home with me on weekends.

7. I rarely or never take vacations.

8. My family and/or friends complain that I always work.

9. I seldom allow myself free time between projects.

10. It’s a challenge for me to finish tasks.

11. Procrastination often keeps me working longer.

12. I set out to do one job and start on three more at the same time.

13. I work in the evenings during family time or time I could be reading for pleasure.

14. I allow calls and email to interrupt—and lengthen—my workday.

15. I don't make time for creative work/play a priority in my day.

16. Work always comes before my creative dreams.

17. I always take calls on my cell phone; it is never off. 

18. I rarely allow myself downtime to do nothing.

19. I use the word “deadline” to describe and rationalize my workload.

20. I often take a notebook or my work numbers with me when I go somewhere, even to dinner. 

How many did you say yes to? What about your family, did they agree? If you answered more true than false, you might benefit from exploring your attachment to work. For people with workaholic tendencies, work is often synonymous with worth, so the more, the better.

If you would like assistance fighting your workaholic streak, please don’t hesitate to call. You can always reach out to me at [email protected] or directly book a free Clarity Call with me on my calendar at https://calendly.com/hmittelman/ontrack-clarity-call

Henry Mittelman advises, coaches, and mentors CEO's, senior executives, and founders (including SHARK TANK winners) to more effectively manage, operate, scale, and overcome the challenges they face every day.

Henry is a certified professional business coach, a member of the invitation-only Forbes Coaches Council, the author of the Amazon #1 Bestselling Book, UnSTUCK for Good!, a Keynote Speaker, and proud to be a Top 1% Most Viewed Profile on LinkedIn.