A friend commented to me the other day that he thought I was a workaholic and it prompted me to think about the veracity of that statement. I do certainly work many many hours so I was very curious to see if I actually fall into the category of having an addiction to work. I looked up the definition of “workaholism”. I found two definitions.
Workaholism is a compulsiveness to work.
Workaholism is an obsessive need to work.
Now, I look at these two definitions and try to be as objective as anyone can be about themselves (that’s a challenge) and weigh whether or not I fall into the dreaded “workaholic” category. I will admit that I am compulsive about work, therefore, the first definition fits. However, I don’t feel an obsessive need to work, just for the sake of working.
My question is this. When you are an entrepreneur or trying to advance your career is it necessary to be a workaholic to be successful?
As an entrepreneur, my passion and drive propels me to work and build my business. Most of the time, it does not even feel like work. I am in a creative zone and the adrenaline takes over. Hours go by and I actually lose track of time. I am very fortunate that my work is stimulating and aligned with my passion to assist professional women to be successful. It is true that I end up working many extra hours each week, but it doesn’t feel obsessive to me. The primary force behind the long hours is my love for my business.
There is nothing wrong in having the drive to succeed. One would be foolish to think that you can start a business or advance your career without putting in much time and effort. Successful careers and businesses don’t happen by chance. The danger is perhaps in consistently choosing work over other options such as family, friends, exercise, recreational activities. It is easy to lose track of how important it is to balance your life. In fact, stepping away from work every so often can also contribute to your success. The break allows you to be even more creative and productive and gives you a new perspective on your business and career path.
Here is my answer to the above question on whether you need to be a workaholic to be successful. Hard work is unquestionably an important factor in success. Yes, you need to work hard and work smart to be successful. Smart working habits that include time well spent in other activities that nourish your body and soul are other important components for a successful life and career. When you recognize that you are consistently choosing work over everything else in your life, beware. An obsession with work can be as dysfunctional as other types of addiction and just as unhealthy.
I am interested in hearing your comments. How much time do you feel you need to devote to work to be successful?
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That’s a good question. I think that the number of hours isn’t as important as the amount of focus and uninterrupted productivity you can put in. So if I’m “at work on something” for 8 hour days, I might not get as much out of it as I could if I just sat down and finished one thing in one or two hours.
I’m personally working on developing some good rituals and focused blocks of time for this type of focused work. I don’t consider myself a workaholic, but then again I’m currently away traveling. Who knows what will happen when I really buckle down! 😉
I think that’s a good point too. I think we get into some difficulty when we always choose to work over other things.
Hi Bonnie,
Good questions. Two years ago, my husband said the same thing to me. At first I reacted, denying it, and secretly thinking to myself that he just needed more attention. But, the more I observed myself throughout the day (and evening), the more I realized he was right.
I made quite a few changes over the next two years, selling one of my companies, delegating (which is really hard for me) certain tasks, and limiting the time I was spending on work. I really have to say now I get a lot done with a little time, and the company is no worse off.
Nothing is better than being in that creative zone or doing work you love, but you need to take regular breaks, for many reasons!
First of all, thank you women! When I googled “women and workaholicism” I only found you guys! (This is not something only men struggle with!) I would love to hear more about how the changes above effected any changes in thought patterns. I have found myself tripping into some wierd thought patterns like when it is weekend, I stopped and worry that maybe I haven’t earned a weekend, even my bosses try to tell me that I am not meant to get everything done each day, but I still feel frenzied, frustrated, incomplete, not at peace, anxious about all that is outstanding. There are times when I get a better sense of joy out of trying to shorten the to do list then spending time with loved ones. I have a real problem with feeling like I am behind in something, it depresses me, therefore the longer the to do list, the more behind I get in something then it is hard for me to get motivated. I wanted to reach out to see if anyone else could relate to this, has overcome this, and was a little dissappointed that my initial search brought out several articles from the male perspective……I want to hear and learn from some women!
Thanks Again,
KCC