Workaholism

Most workers spend eight or nine hours on the job. They work because it’s unavoidable. They need to make enough money for necessities: food, rest, clothing, transportation, tuition, and so on. They spend about one-third of their lives at work, but they hate it. They complain and count the minutes until quitting time each day – or the days until their next vacation.

By contrast, there are some people who actually enjoy – in fact they love to work. They spend many extra hours on the job each week and often take work home with them. These workaholics are as addicted to their jobs as other people are to drugs or alcohol.

Workaholism can be a serious problem. Because true workaholics even don’t know how to relax; they enjoy movies, sports, or other types of entertainment. This inability to rest may cause health problems, such as heart attacks. In addition, typical workaholics don’t pay much attention to their families. They spend little time with their children, and their marriages may end in divorce.

Is workaholism always dangerous? Perhaps not. Some studies show that many workaholics have great energy and interest in life. Their work is so pleasurable that they are actually very happy. For most workaholics, work and entertainment are the same thing. Their jobs provide them with a challenge; this keeps them busy and creative. Other people retire from work at the age of sixty-five, but workaholics usually prefer not to quit. They are still enthusiastic about work – and live ― in their eighties and nineties.

Why do workaholics enjoy their jobs so much? There are several advantages to work. Of course, it provides people with paychecks and this is important. But it offers more than financial security. It provides people with self-confidence; they have a feeling of satisfaction. Psychologists claim that work gives people an identity. In addition, most jobs provide a way to meet other people.

Test

Here is a list of ten characteristics of workaholics. Which ones apply to you? Tick (√) the box. If you answered “yes” to eight or more questions, you might be a workaholic.

1. Do you get up early if you go to bed late?

2. Do you read or work while you eat?

3. Do you make lists of thing to do?

4. Do you find it unpleasant to “do nothing”?

5. Can you work any time and anywhere?

6. Do you prefer not to take vacations?

7. Do you usually have a lot of energy?

8. Do you work on weekends and on holidays?

9. Do you think you probably won’t want to retire?

10. Do you really enjoy your work?

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A NATION OF SHOPAHOLICS –