Randomly came across this Forbes article on workaholics..

https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/09/18/7-signs-you-may-be-a-workaholic/#140bdbdb70d7

and while i don't really want to deem myself a workaholic (maybe not now), especially with the way my work hours used to be in my younger years, i was unfortunately a workaholic through and through lol (in the past that is).

i wouldn't say i was addicted to work, but circumstances forced me into that situation when i was merely a junior associate (at the end of my first year) and my partner and senior associate (my then team members) decided to quit the firm. the firm was, i guess at that time understaffed as well, due to the turn over that year and i ended up working solo, with minimal guidance...

while some people may think that it's impressive, and it was a good chance to grow as an individual, i guess, to a certain extent it was.... until it started to take a toll on my mental and physical health.. until i couldn't take holidays in peace.. until the moment i finally have a break only to fall sick, because my body was in a constant fight or flight mode - all the adrelanine from the non-stop stress didn't know when to stop... until my MC reads not "URTI infection", but "fatigue"... and even then i couldn't take a day off due the amount of work - even with the fever (and scolding by the doctor that i MUST ABSOLUTELY go home and rest)... until my doctor's medical advice to me is "quit your job", until i broke down and cried in front of my mom due to all the stress and exhaustion... - terrible right? i don't think anyone should go through all these... it's extremely terrible.. and unless the person is some mesochist, then by all means, do not ever live like this.

besides.. there is a huge misconception.. that "The more people work, the more money they earn" - i didn't feel this was true at all back then, i didn't feel like i was getting paid more for the hours and effort i had put in - even compared to my peers in other firms - who were still junior associates and working in a team with guidance.. but i guess it depends where you work? (in Asia, i doubt you would get what you are worth lol) but one thing is right, you work so much that you don't have time to spend your hard earned money.. lol..

so what are the 7 symptoms you are a workaholic?

1. You think of how you can free up more time to work.

2. You spend much more time working than initially intended.

3. You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and/or depression.

4. You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them.

6. You deprioritize hobbies, leisure activities, and/or exercise because of your work.

7. You work so much that it has negatively influenced your health.

sadly i used to suffer from all 7 of these, although i did try with number 4 with a lot of difficulty due to my sense of responsiblity, and to be honest i became a workaholic mainly to reduce my anxiety, as the fear of being sued or getting penalties from the authorities (which could cost a million or more) for not meeting the deadlines made it so hard for me to let go.

that's why to me, it was and still is very important that when you are on your annual leave, you should as far as possible NOT BE WORKING. a thing i do my best to practise with my team over the years.

For those of you guys still suffering out there, try your best to disengage - i know it's easier said then done, because well it depends on your employer as well, efficient workers are more often than not punished with even more work, with little to no remuneration / rewards.

it's a dog eat dog world out there.. and if your boss is the kind who loves workaholics, love making his / her employees workaholics, loves to harrass you at every hour of the day, even when things are not urgent, then maybe, jsut maybe, that place isn't suitable for you, and it's time to move on.

taking a step back and looking at it from the perspective of the bosses, time = money, so of course they would be the most anxious, you would be too if you were running your own business, i guess, (i'm too altruistic and consdierate for my own good? lol) but with everything there should be moderation and at the end of the day, nothing is more important then your own physical and mental health. work towards that (note that this is not a licence to be an irresponsible and lazy worker though, yes, there is a difference! lol).

anyway, in my case, although it took a resignation letter on my part, many moons ago, but at least then it became easier to let my ex-bosses know that i was really extremely overworked, and they made the effort to make my working life less miserable. guess it was one of the reasons i could stay faithful to one firm for a decade... lol..

but that said, i personally think it's very essential that bosses and / or managers learn how to strike a balance for their employees / staff. and to respect employees' / staff's time off. i believe france has a law that employees can't be contacted after hours, and i think that's good, though it may end up as an idealistic idea, as not every employee is hardworking, efficient and responsible.... lol... but oh well... it's the same thing about the "work from home" concept that are springing up every where.. i leave this to bosses to work it out though.. lol.. signing off...

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