In contrast to last week’s video on the importance of hard work, I talk about going overboard with work and the problems with being a workaholic.
VIDEO SUMMARY
Last week I made a very passionate video on the importance of hard work. So I thought it would be fitting to make a video about workaholics. The main point is this: hard work is important. You need hard work in business, but there is a healthy way to do hard work and an unhealthy way. The unhealthy way is being a workaholic. And I really want to talk through what this means. This is one of those things they don’t teach you in business school, but is so useful to understand. Because you will meet workaholics all the time in business.
So what is a workaholic? Very simply, it is someone obsessed with work to the exclusion of everything else in life. So a workaholic will be so focused on their job, that they will push everything else out of their lives, including family, friends, hobbies, and leisure time. The important thing to realize here is being a workaholic is a neurosis, similar to an obsessive-compulsive disorder. And when you meet people who are workaholics, you see a personality pattern. And this pattern is almost exactly the same every time. This individual felt unloved as a child, and this developed in them an intense desire and drive to become successful. And so they turn to work. And they work, and work, and work. Because they think that if they become successful than they will feel like they are worthwhile. Another important facet of this, is that workaholics are almost always super talented people. That’s why this all works. You are good at something, and working at it, and making accomplishments makes you feel great. It’s just like a drug. You are pushing this button again and again, because every time you are successful at work, you get this high. Now I am not a psychologist, and I cannot diagnose this kind of thing. All I can tell you is how I have seen it impact businesses. Because you see workaholics all the time in business, and in fact they usually thrive in business.
And so the question people always ask is “what’s so wrong with being a workaholic?” Working is doing something good, right? Aren’t they just providing for their families? Aren’t they creating value for society? And so people always give workaholics what I call a free pass. Well I am going to explain to you the problems of being a workaholic.
The ultimate problem is that a workaholic is just not as productive as someone who approaches their work in a healthy way. And I am just talking from what I have seen in my own experience working in business. And some things you commonly see with workaholics is perfectionism, trouble working with others, trouble delegating, inefficiency, high stress, health problems. So ironically, they could be reaching higher levels of productivity if they were not workaholics. But the person who gets hurt the most in all of this, is the workaholic themselves. Because they end up being unfulfilled, unhappy, and lonely. And this is very important to realize. You might love your job, but your job will not love you back. Your job doesn’t care about you. So at some point in your career, your job is going to majorly disappoint you, and a workaholic finds that devastating.
The opposite of being a workaholic is approaching your work in a healthy, well-rounded way. And this doesn’t mean you have to work less hours. This just means work is a part of a well-rounded experience. I love my job, and I work a lot of hours. But the older I get, the more I realize how important other things are in combination with work: relationships, hobbies, experiences, having time to relax and regenerate. These things all produce a lot of meaning in life. When I am at my most productive, I am coming into work refreshed with new ideas and new experiences, and I am able to bring that fresh perspective to my job.
So this is just some food for thought. I wanted to put this idea out there, because this is something that no one in business talks about. And don’t get me wrong. I am a huge advocate for hard work. Go out there and work! But just like everything else in life, you will be better off if you approach work in a balanced and well-rounded way.
I realize I have a different perspective on this from a lot of business people, so if you agree with me or disagree with me leave a comment down below.
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Neither Zach De Gregorio or Wolves and Finance Inc. shall be liable for any damages related to information in this video. It is recommended you contact a CPA in your area for business advice.