Are you a Work Addict?

When I was working in BT my boss Brian Pinder would ask me to take more time for myself and not take on so much work/projects and look after my health. My doctor even said I should visit a graveyard and see that nobody's tombstone would say "he did a great job at BT"

Does your life look picture perfect on the outside but you feel that something is missing on the inside?

When I went away of holidays, I would invariably get sick.

When I left BT I had over 60 days of accrued leave. It wasn't BT's fault and I just thought I was focused, driven and ambitious. (so many "high performers" are so single minded at the expense of their health, relationships etc).

Outwardly I had all the manifestations of success in terms of income, house, promotion and career progress but I wasn't looking after my health, family and finding a balance. I thought I could wait until I succeeded....

Burnout isn't the mark of success and it will happen at the most unexpected time and when you are least prepared to deal with it.

Often we are the last to see the problems that are brewing in our life as we are chasing things like impact, money and "success" without really looking inside on the real reasons on why we were chasing money, promotion, recognition etc.

Don't confuse drive and ambition with work addiction. A good and successful person understands the meaning of balance and it is something one cultivates.

Flying recognises that a good pilot needs to be rested to give their best to their job and look after the passengers in their care.

Often we "get away" with it in the short term but it only takes one crisis in our personal or work lives for it to spiral out of control.

Self Care is not being selfish.

As the emergency card on a plane says Remember to put on your own mask before putting on the mask for other people.

We will all have times where we need to put the extra work and this is fine so long as it is not an ongoing long term behaviour. Every job has its period of overwork but if if you are going through a period of needing to rest and sleep to catchup every weekend then something is wrong. Like a battery running it to empty is not good for battery life.

We often think that overwork is manifested by looking like a person who is struggling at work but this only starts to show much much later. The trick is to spot the signs earlier before the result of burnout.

Work Addiction is the other side of the Work/Life Balance coin..

Often, we rarely realise we are addicted to something especially something like work and in our culture hard work is often seen as a good and virtuous thing.

Work Addiction Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Instructions: Please read each statement and mark how often you feel the statement applies to you according to the following scale:

0 = Never,

1 = Rarely,

2 = Sometimes,

3 = Often,

4 = Always

Part 1: General Work Habits

I work hard because I find my identity in my job. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

I work because I feel the need to earn more money than I reasonably need. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

I work because I want recognition from my peers or superiors. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

I work because I fear losing my job or falling behind my colleagues. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

I feel driven to achieve status or advancements at work, even when it's at the expense of my well-being. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

I work because it gives me a sense of personal achievement that I don?t find elsewhere. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

I work to escape from my personal life issues. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

I find that I?m chasing the adrenaline rush from overcoming work challenges. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

Scoring:

0-14: Low likelihood of work addiction

15-28: Moderate likelihood of work addiction

29-42: High likelihood of work addiction

43-56: Very high likelihood of work addiction

Reflection Section:

What are the three highest scoring questions for you? What does this suggest about your relationship with work?

Are there underlying motivations (e.g., money, status, identity, recognition, adrenaline) that are driving your work habits? How do they impact your life outside of work?

Can you identify any patterns or triggers that lead to excessive work?

Please remember, this self-assessment is for personal reflection only and is not a diagnostic tool. If you find your score concerning or if your work habits are affecting your health and happiness, consider seeking professional help.

Work/Life Balance and Lifestyle Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Instructions: Please read each statement and mark how often you have felt this way in the past month according to the following scale:

0 = Never, 1 = Rarely, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often, 4 = Always

Part 1: Feelings and Emotions

1. I feel tired even after having a full night’s sleep. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
2. I feel disillusioned about my job. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
3. I find myself feeling irritable or impatient with co-workers and family. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
4. I feel detached from my work and the people around me. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
5. I have difficulty concentrating on my tasks. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
6. I have lost interest in activities that used to bring me joy. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
7. I feel hopeless about the future. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

Part 2: Physical Health

1. I have experienced changes in my appetite or weight. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
2. I have been experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, stomach problems, or muscle tension. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
3. I find myself using substances (like alcohol, prescription drugs, caffeine etc) to help me manage my emotions or to stay awake. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
4. I often skip meals or eat unhealthy food due to time constraints or stress. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
5. I neglect exercise or physical activities because I’m too tired or too busy. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

Part 3: Work/Life Balance

1. I work longer hours than intended and bring work home. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
2. I have cut back on socializing or spending time with family and friends due to work demands. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
3. I feel guilty when I am not working or I am taking time off. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
4. I feel overwhelmed by the demands of work and personal life. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]
5. My work or lifestyle does not leave me enough time for rest and relaxation. [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

Scoring:

• 0-17: Low likelihood of burnout or chronic stress
• 18-34: Moderate likelihood of burnout or chronic stress
• 35-51: High likelihood of burnout or chronic stress
• 52-68: Very high likelihood of burnout or chronic stress

Reflection Section:

• What are the three highest scoring areas for you? What might this indicate about your current work/life balance or lifestyle?
• Are there specific changes you could make to reduce your stress or improve your well-being?
• Consider areas in your life where you can set boundaries or say no to reduce overload.

Please note that this questionnaire is for personal insight only and does not replace professional evaluation. If your scores suggest a high likelihood of burnout, chronic stress, or depression, consider seeking support from a healthcare professional or counsellor.

Please do share your thoughts and opinions and if you think this article is relevant to anyone you know, share it with them.