Are you addicted to work?
Addiction to work is real. I witnessed it growing up, I’ve experienced it myself and I’ve seen friends, colleagues and clients impacted by it, too.
It cuts across industries and overwork is particularly pervasive in the start-up world, small to medium business, corporate and non-government sectors, and in academia. It’s a personal malady and, often, a workplace cultural conundrum — a hangover from the modern industrial era.
The “hard work” ethic has been hammered into us — it’s the Aussie way. Being productive comes with a certain sense of pride. And, let’s face it, who wants to be accused of being lazy, or a bum? But excessive and compulsive work can be detrimental to your peace of mind, health and relationships, and ironically, your finances, too, if you’re struggling in business.
I found myself on the hamster wheel in my mid-20s, shortly after establishing a business for the first time. It was then that the compulsion to work became deeply ingrained. I was passionate and my life became enmeshed in work. It was hard to switch off. That was until I had a wake-up call from the universe.
Being purposeful, industrious, and committed is commendable. It can even provide many positive and protective health and personal benefits — including confidence, a sense of achievement, happiness and financial security. But when left unchecked, work dedication can quickly morph into unhealthy levels of addiction.
The term “workaholism” was made prominent by American psychologist Wayne Oates in the 1970s. He used it to describe his own obsessive and compulsive need to work.
What leads someone to become a workaholic differs, from person to person. Though the motivations are usually based on internal triggers. Some of these might be low self-worth, feeling a need to prove yourself, escapism, not wanting to deal with painful personal, family or relationship issues or external pressures, such as responsibilities and finances.
Past, unresolved trauma, personality traits, learnt behaviours and clinical behavioural conditions may also contribute to overwork. Though it’s important to distinguish workaholism from being driven and working long hours at times.
Research by Malissa Clark at the University of Georgia found that people who are addicted to work often experience negative feelings of anxiety, guilt and stress. They feel like they “should” be working, and their thoughts are constantly occupied by work, though their efforts often exceed what is reasonably expected of them. Some of the drivers are conscious and easy to articulate. Others can be deep seated, and unconscious wounds, carried forward from earlier experiences, or childhood.
Being told that you work too much is never easy to hear. Often, it can feel like an accusation, and that others, including your partner, spouse or children, don’t understand. But the first step to recovery is accepting that you have a problem. It’s good to chat about it with someone you trust — a confidant, psychologist or coach. It will go a long way to get to the root of your issues, and create healthier habits, and boundaries.
Sounding boards are helpful, and trained professionals are non-judgemental, and understand human behaviour well. They can provide advice and strategies for dealing with your work, health and personal challenges. And there’s no shame in it.
Work is what you do, it’s not who you are — it’s replaceable but your health and important relationships are not. Your identity, worth and purpose should not, solely, be attached to your work. You are so much more, and if you don’t yet realise this, it might be time you gave yourself the space to figure it out. Before the universe makes you.
This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 2 April 2022.
