Workaholism or Dedication? A Business Owner's Guide to Knowing If Your Work Ethic Has Gone Too Far
As business owners we often find ourselves immersed in our work, driven by ambition and the desire for success. We are passionate about what we do, or we wouldn’t have gotten this far or taken the risk to put our names on the door.
That passion and dedication is often what drives business leaders to tell me, “I couldn’t burn out. I love what I do too much.” Or because “I thrive on being busy and my business gives me energy.”
One of the psychologists who discovered burnout said, when asked who was prone to burnout, “the dedicated and committed.” Which makes it critical to reflect on whether your dedication and passion are crossing the line into workaholism. Understanding this distinction is essential for maintaining both your well-being and your effectiveness as a leader.
Here’s one way to know whether you’re becoming a workaholic followed by tips to take action for recovery. And of course, prevention, if you’re lucky enough to be getting in front of this.
Workaholism vs. Hard Worker: What’s the Difference?
Let’s break it down. A workaholic is someone who feels an uncontrollable urge to work, often sacrificing personal time, relationships, and even health in the process. On the flip side, an engaged worker is passionate about their job but knows how to maintain a healthy balance between their personal and professional worlds. They can disconnect and recharge, which ultimately makes them more effective.
To be clear, working long hours doesn’t automatically make you a workaholic. Working long hours could still contribute to burnout but it’s not the same as a compulsion to work, obsessing about work, or the inability to psychologically detach from work. A 2018 article in Harvard Business (Review talked more about the differences between hours worked and workaholism here).
So, are you engaged with maybe long hours but feel like it’s not a compulsion? You can “stop any time”, so to speak. Use this quiz to double-check.
Are You at Risk for Workaholism? Here’s a Test to Find Out
The Bergen Work Addiction Scale is a validated measure that you can help you identify where you are on the workaholic continuum. It has seven simple questions that you answer on a scale between 1 (never) and 5 (always).
You think of how you can free up more time to work.
You spend much more time working than initially intended.
You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and depression.
You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them.
You become stressed if you are prohibited from working.
You deprioritize hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise because of your work.
You work so much that it has negatively influenced your health.
SCORING: If on four or more statements you scored 4 (Often) or 5 (Always), you might be a workaholic, according to the survey tool.
If you want, you can take it a bit deeper and explore the 12 statements from PositivePsychology.com:
Working long hours, over and above what is expected or needed.
Constantly thinking and talking about work.
Intrusive thoughts about work when attempting to engage in other activities.
Revolving life around work, such as prioritizing or considering work schedules or commitments when making non-work decisions or plans.
A subjective loss of control, to the point where it feels impossible not to engage in work despite insight or acknowledgment of negative consequences.
Deliberately or inadvertently prioritizing work over other core basic needs, including depriving self of sleep, exercise, good nutrition, spending time with others, or engaging in hobbies or relaxation.
A lack of significant healthy relationships or hobbies outside of work.
A lack of enjoyment from tasks that do not involve work, due to feeling too preoccupied to be fully engaged.
An inability to switch off and be present, constantly plagued with thoughts related to work.
Using work to avoid or cope with discomfort associated with relationships, grief, trauma, guilt, depression, or significant life events such as death or divorce.
Perfectionistic tendencies, whereby extremely high standards are held for the self and others in terms of work effort and performance.
Obsession with work-related success, often experiencing paranoia or intense fear of work failure.
What If You’re a Workaholic? Here’s What to Do
First, know that there is a group called Workaholics Anonymous. You can check that out and see if it’s a good fit for you.
A comprehensive approach to shifting away from your work compulsion is critical and it might take both therapy and coaching. The plan often includes diet, exercise, sleep, stress management and relaxation techniques, boundary setting and enforcement training, delegation strategies, re-identification of priorities and values, and a rewriting of the definition of success. It will explore perfectionistic tendencies and self-worth.
You will also rediscover who you are outside of work, including hobbies, and building relationships that bring you joy.
Like any change, easier said than done. But worth the effort since workaholism is associated with burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, irritability, sleep disorders, weakened immune system, cardiovascular issues, headaches and stomach problems, deterioration of relationships, substance use issues, poor nutrition, and increased risk of metabolic syndrome, and decreased productivity and effective performance.
All of these are costly and I guarantee you that is not where you want your time or money to go.
Preventing Workaholism: Tips for Balance
If you’re not at the workaholic stage but feel like you are working too much or at risk of burnout, here are a few preventive measures:
Regular Check-Ins: Assess your work-life balance regularly. Is it where you want it to be? Take the above quiz a few times a year so you can monitor patterns against your baseline.
Prioritize Self-Investment: Make time for yourself. It’s not a luxury or trivial. Think of it as performance recovery.
Set Realistic Goals: Aim for achievable targets that don’t stretch you too thin.
Foster Balance in Your Team: Encourage your employees to prioritize their well-being and role model doing so. The entire team will be more productive, engaged, and satisfied with work and life.
Leverage Technology: Use tools that enhance productivity without extending working hours, including tapping into AI responsibly.
The Burnout Connection
Let’s not forget—workaholism often leads to burnout, which can leave you feeling exhausted, cynical, and useless. It affects just your performance, mental and physical health, relationships, and strips you of joy.
By addressing these tendencies early on, you can avoid the pitfalls of burnout and continue thriving in both your personal and professional life.
Burnout prevention and sustainable peak performance are my jam. So if you recognize signs of workaholism or burnout––or want to prevent them–– in yourself or your team let’s chat. Book your complimentary consultation today, and let’s explore personalized strategies that will help you reclaim control over your time and energy, health and relationships, while also kicking butt in the business world. You shouldn’t have to choose between making a living and living your life!