Am I a workaholic?

[Th1onein]

I sometimes feel as if I work a lot of hours in the day. Like from morning to morning. I am a partner in a business where I handle most of the work, or I see to it that it gets handled, or I put out the fires as they flare up. I work in my various offices and then when I get home, I work some more. Sometimes, I stay up night after night, until one, two and three am, working, because I have to get something done for a deadline. I always have three or four or even five projects going at any one time, and I "knock them off" one by one, but each one is replaced by yet another project. And--this is what is bothering me--I ALWAYS feel guilty that I am not working enough.

Am I a workaholic, or am I just someone who has a job cut out for them and is trying to get it done? It seems like my whole life revolves around my work. And I realize that when you run your own business, this is supposed to be the norm, but I am beginning to wonder if this is the way that it should be. I don't really mind that things are out of balance like this, but what bothers me is the guilt that I am not working enough. Why is that there when I seem to be working almost every minute of the day?

[Nicole]

1. You sound like a control freak.

I don't mean that as an insult, I'm one myself.

[Th1onein]

2. Well, yeah, there's that, too.

I like being a control freak. I think it makes for good business, sometimes. But it's the guilt about not working enough that is bothering me. How do I get rid of that?

[Nicole]

5. Absolutely!

I like being a control freak also, I know I can get more accomplished that way.

I don't know how to get rid of the guilt. To be honest, I've never felt that way about not working enough. :shrug:

Good luck.

[SPKrazy]

3. Hmmmm....

I think that if you are questioning it, there is reason to look at trying to find some balance, especially the part about feeling guilty about not working enough. Is there something that would happen if you worked less?

what happens (besides guilt) if you were to take a vacation? what feelings other than guilt do you think would come up?

I think that it is possible that you are? it is possible that you are just using work to avoid some unpleasant feelings... it is possible that you are just fine.

since this is the lounge, i'll add "only your hairdresser knows for sure" but seriously it may be that someone to talk to about it isn't a bad idea, whether it is your hairdresser or someone you trust, or a professional.

:shrug:

:hi:

[some guy]

4. hello my friend,

I apologize I haven't been around for awhile.

If you have to ask, you're probably a workaholic. :hug:

Is that a bad thing? I don't know. It depends on what drives you. You do realize you can't change the past, yes? If that's what's driving you, you need to let go, at least a little bit. How are things in your life today? If all you have going for you is your work, I am sad for you, even though I know the work is rewarding. :hug:

Will you save lives by working yourself to death? Or can some of the things you're spending time on (instead of taking time for yourself) be set aside, at least for a day or two?

I admire you tremendously. I would rather not think, "Ah! M______ C_______. She was insopirational, pity she worked herself to death..."

:loveya:

edit: spelling

[Th1onein]

6. Hmmmm.....

I don't ever remember a time in my adult life when I wasn't consumed by something; some goal, and just ripping up the ground to get there. And that doesn't bother me. I don't think I would be happy if I were not doing that.

It's the guilt that's bothering me. Finally. I've always felt it, but it's just recently that I've realized that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. How can someone be working all the time and feel guilty for not working more? Maybe what I feel guilty about is not working HARDER; with more intensity?

Yes, I think that's what it is.

[some guy]

7. "...HARDER; with more intensity."

Nah, that would actually be feeling guilty for the work you're doing not producing the results and sense of satisfaction you desire from the effort you've given.

Maybe you want to hurry time along, and think that if you work 20+ hours per day that will happen. It won't, of course. Time moves at its own speed and will neither be hurried nor delayed.

I would suggest you look more deeply into what inspires the felings of guilt. :hug:

[crispini]

8. It doesn't sound like a very well-rounded life to me, if you want the truth.

I understand the deep satisfaction that comes from working and getting the job done, but you should also consider that there are many wonderful things in this life that call out for your appreciation -- new things to see and do, music to hear, art to see, places to go, sunsets to enjoy, roses to smell.

Why don't you try just taking a half day off some Saturday afternoon and writing it in your calendar -- then, go to the museum, or a movie, or whatever floats your boat.

The guilt, that doesn't sound good. I'd take some time to think about that, too.

[The2ndWheel]

9. One way to fix that guilt

Work more.

Still feeling guilty?

Work more.

Never stop. Add a 6th or a 7th project. If you stop, you can't get there. If there is one thing you absolutely have to do, it's get there, as quickly as you can. The quickest way that I know of would be to do more of whatever it is that you're doing. If you do more of it, and do each one faster, you're bound to finally get there. Unless you feel guilty again. Then you need to do more, and do it even faster. You will get there, you have to.