July 5th is officially National Workaholics Day. Why do we have such a day? Today is not necessarily a commemoration per se, but rather it serves as a reminder. National Workaholics Day is a reminder that having that work/life balance is essential. It’s a reminder that our health is at stake, as are our relationships, family life, mental health, and so many other things.
Workaholics are those for whom work really is everything. Their single-mindedness when it comes to their career or job can disrupt all other aspects of their life. National Workaholics Day was thus devised to bring recognition to the fact that for some people, things need to change.
Characteristics of a Workaholic
Do you know someone who is a workaholic? Or perhaps are you yourself a workaholic? Consider if the following describes you or someone you know:
- You stay late at work pretty much every night.
- You have a difficult time trusting coworkers to do that which is a part of their job description.
- You work straight through lunch.
- You miss key family events and outings in favor of working.
- You can’t sleep because you’re thinking about work and even when you do sleep, work is still on your mind.
If these describe you or someone close to you, then perhaps you may be a workaholic. And while certainly having a strong work ethic and being dedicated to your job is not a bad thing, if you allow it to interfere with other facets of your life, it can start to consume you.
The Consequences of Being a Workaholic
Now that we understand some of what characterizes a workaholic, it’s important to know what being a workaholic can do to you. This in part, is why National Workaholics Day was created. So that we actually stop and recognize the signs. And also so that we are perhaps encouraged to do something about it.
1. Anxiety and stress are part and parcel of a workaholic’s life. Because you are so preoccupied with your job, that is all you see. This is all you focus on day in and day out. As such, stress and anxiety are bound to be an everyday part of your life. And as we all know, anxiety and stress can lead to major health issues both in the short term and the long term.
2. Your social and/or family life diminishes. Being a workaholic means putting everything else to the wayside. This largely includes your relationships with both family and friends. Before you know it, people stop asking you to do things. They stop depending on you because they know you will not show up. Make no mistake about it, for workaholics, relationships do suffer.
3. You may be successful but are you really happy? This is a fundamental question for a workaholic. You may climb that corporate ladder faster than anyone. You may make a great deal of money, and with that comes power. But are you truly happy? Ask many workaholics, and the answer is likely to be no. Unhappiness seems to be the hallmark of a workaholic’s life.
4. You suffer from sleep deprivation. As earlier mentioned, for many workaholics, sleep is not easy in coming. Sleep deprivation of course can lead to a whole host of health problems, both physical and mental. Sleep is key in our lives, but for workaholics, it may be something that is out of reach.
What Can Workaholics Do on National Workaholics Day?
National Workaholics Day is a great time to stop, reassess your life and career, and figure out how to change course. It’s not easy. When you’re so immersed in your work life, it can be difficult to see any other way. But for your health, your relationships, and your mental stability, it’s important that you do try to see another way.
One thing that you could certainly do is to talk to a professional. Therapy and counseling particularly for workaholics can be highly beneficial. The important thing is to take the time out of your day to actually go and speak with someone. You have to make it a priority.
You might also rethink your career. For some people, their workaholic tendencies are directly related to the fact that they may not actually be in the right job and are thus overcompensating. Really take some time to evaluate where you currently are in your career, where you hope to be in the future and the course that you need to get there without having to sacrifice your life.
Dedicating yourself to more healthy activities is something else that you might do. Is there a sport or recreational activity about which you might be passionate? Commit yourself to become involved in this activity. Get others in your life to participate with you.
As a workaholic, the important first thing that you must do is to see where the problem areas are and commit to fixing them. Only then will you be able to find a path that involves not just work but so many other facets of your life as well.
First Union Lending is Here to Help
We work with a variety of small businesses across the United States. With short-term loans, lines of credit, and SBA loans among other financing types, we have a solution to fit just about every company. And all of our products are custom-tailored. There is no off-the-shelf approach with us. Even if your credit score is less than ideal, we might still have a financing option for you. Call today and let’s get started.