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Business & Life All Work and No Play
Business & Life All Work and No Play
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It’s the time of year when we start to think about slowing down a bit and easing into a more relaxed summer schedule mode. Locals take to the lake, go camping, plan long motorcycle trips or travel for weeks at a time. For some, although they have the time to do these things, they simply won’t. It’s not a matter of money, vacation time, or job security. It may be something more serious called “workaholism.” According to Thomas C. Stebbins, MSW, BCD, a Spokane psychotherapist in private practice, workaholism is a particular issue with Americans. “We tend to see a much better balance between work, family and play in other countries,” says Stebbins. “It seems our culture is one of competition and the notion of the ‘early bird gets the worm.’ We see a lot of people who think they have to work, work, work to get ahead and be successful in their professions. Many companies create an atmosphere and culture of overworking, so people feel peer pressure to spend more and more time at the office. In the current economy, we see even more pressure as people are simply trying to keep the company running and competitive. There is also increased competition for each available position, so this ups the pressure to spend more time at the office.” Workaholsim, says Stebbins, is not new. It’s been an issue since well before the current economic turmoil. “People who are more compulsive and are perfectionists have a hard time letting go of the job because it is ‘not quite right.’ They are fearful of making mistakes and being criticized, so they will spend extra time to make things more perfect because they are never quite satisfied with themselves and their work. Therefore, they continue to work more than the person who is tolerant of a ‘good enough job.’ This attitude creates greater stress and leads to more illness.” Stebbins goes on to say that others find work as a source of success and esteem, and this can be very addicting, particularly if someone is not experiencing a lot of success elsewhere, such as in relationships with family, marriage or friends. Those situations, says Stebbins, fuel a desire to focus on an area where one feels successful and in control. Sometimes these individuals find themselves creating work to substitute for their family and social life. According to Stebbins, workaholsim, like any other addiction, has many causes and sources. But like any addiction, it serves to numb or avoid thoughts and feelings about areas of life that are not going so well. It results in an imbalance in the areas of life such as family, health, and play. What can be done if you or someone you know is a workaholic? “The ability to turn work off and try to find balance is a great starting point,” says Stebbins. “If that does not work, try counseling with a professional, an Employee Assistance Program or a support group like Workaholics Anonymous for coping tools and resources.” Signs that you may be suffering from workaholism:
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