It is very easy to become workaholic in today’s fast-paced world.
Workaholic tendencies can be a big problem for us. It can lead to lower quality of work, damaged relationships, and can even rob us of the joy we have for life.
If you want to change . . . here are some ideas – based on a recent article in Harvard Business Review.
First – a definition. Being a workaholic is not just working a lot of hours. One definition is that it is a “deleterious inability to disconnect from your job.” If you think this may be you, here are some strategies to use.
1. Redefine “Urgent.” Everything is not urgent! It might give you a rush, but “frantic multitasking” is not a healthy or productive way of working. Prioritize and delay things that can actually wait for another day – or more.
2. Reinvent Your To-Do List. Check out Steven Covey’s Big Rocks video here. List the three most important things you need to do each day and then let other “to dos” fill in as needed.
3. Delegate! We know that you are the best at doing everything. But guess what – everything does not need to get done to your standard – and – you do not allow your team to grow and develop if you do not delegate. Learn more here about delegation.
4. Reset Your Work Estimate Clock. Start slowing down when you make your estimates of how long it will take you to get something done. Carefully look over what it is going to really take. Add 25% to your time estimate and start tracking how often your estimates are correct. You may need to add even more time.
5. Control Rumination. It is good to be passionate about what you do, but you need to figure out how to let go. Adopt some hobbies that will take your attention away from work. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises, can help.
6. Embrace Rest and Recovery. Here are things you know but that you may not do: get your sleep, workout, and take vacations. And when you take a vacation, unplug.
You deserve a happy and joyful life. Give yourself the freedom to do well at work and to be able to indulge in fun, family, and friendships. Your work will actually benefit from this as well. But more importantly, you will have the life you really want.
*Ideas for this blog taken from: Clark, M. “A Workaholic’s Guide to Reclaiming Your Life,” Harvard Business Review online, September 10, 2024.
