Have you ever wondered if some of your work habits might predispose you to acute workaholic-ism? I have. Often accused, yet never diagnosed, I have always wondered whether my peculiar work habits and my slightly fastidious demeanor might make me a prime candidate. My friends and family seem to think so. Although this is a banner proudly worn by many of my friends, and while Investopedia contributor Katie Adams once wrote that if America was a person, she would be a workaholic, the fact that people are comfortable with this title actually points to a cultural acceptance of what some might label unhealthy or even unsustainable workplace habits. After all, ’workaholic‘ denotes someone who is thoroughly addicted to working, perhaps to such an extent that work or one’s career is put ahead of all other commitments. In light of this, I recently put myself to the test and took an online assessment intended to help diagnose workaholic-ism. The result?
After taking an assessment recently posted on CNN called “Are you a Workaholic” I learned that one, workaholic-ism is a range, extending from “mild” to “highly,” and two, that I am straddling the line between two categories of workaholic-ism. Scoring a “63” on the test, I am only four points away from full blown workaholic-ism, though as I am a “mild” case, the assessment notes there is still “hope” for me. Noting that, “with acceptance and modifications, you and your loved ones can prevent negative lasting effects.” What of full-blown workaholics? A bit more grim, the test indicates that “highly workaholic” persons may be “headed toward burnout, and new research suggests that family members may be experiencing emotional repercussions as well.” However, do not despair! There are things workaholics can do to stave off workaholic-ism and its ill effects, which will be the focus of this week’s second post, “What’s a workaholic to do? Part II.”
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