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WORKING
WITH PASSION OR WORK-ADDICTED?
Dear
Mary Lyn:
I am very
focused on my work and there are some things about it I do enjoy.
But, I spend a lot of hours at work and wonder if that’s just
normal if you’re passionate. I
have a hard time leaving at the end of the day because there always
seems like there’s more to do.
Therefore, I don’t have much else going on in my life.
Is this simply the price I pay for focus?
I have been told this is unhealthy, but I don’t know.
Am I passionate or work-addicted?
Signed,
Confused Energy
Dear
C.E.:
This is a
great question! Workaholism
is one of the few completely legal and accepted forms of addiction.
Unfortunately, our work world actually co-signs this disease as
a “societal norm”.
Yet the
effects are devastating as with any other dysfunction, resulting in
exhaustion, physical illness, limited interpersonal relationships,
depleted spiritual lives and lack of quality in life.
According to
Anne Wilson Schaef and Diane Fassel, researchers and authors of
“The Addictive Organization”, we are addicted “when any
process or substance takes over our lives and leaves us powerless.
If there is something we are not willing to give up to make our
lives fuller and healthier, it can probably be classified as an
addiction.”
Focus is
fabulous! Dedication is
an asset! But if you are
concerned that you are crossing the line from passion to addiction,
here are the 5 questions to ask yourself:
1.)
How do I feel after working hard?
A:
Passion – Fulfilled, Rewarded, Proud, Encouraged,
Positive
B:
Addiction – Drained, Depleted, Exhausted
2)
Am I balanced?
A:
Passion - I work hard, I’m dedicated, but I lead a
multi-dimensional life; I maintain healthy relationships, feed my
creativity and hobbies, and take care of my health.
B:
Addiction – I can’t seem to tear myself away; I am
immersed and work compulsively to “get it all done”, even though I
know it never will be; I get tired or sick but still keep at it; I am
“hooked”.
3)
AM I EXPERIENCING A BROAD RANGE OF EMOTIONS?
A:
Passion: In order to feel passionate, you have to FEEL.
Passionate people experience their lives on many other levels
as well – anger, sadness, disappointment, gratitude, excitement.
i.e. - a broad spectrum of feelings.
B:
Addiction – According to Schaef and Fassel, “The
purpose of an addiction is to put a barrier between ourselves and our
awareness of feelings. The
substance (in this case, work) serves to numb you so you can stay out
of touch with what you know and feel.”
4) DO I
ENJOY MY TIME OFF?
A:
Passion – For the passionate, balanced person, pauses are
a time to savor success, rest, spend time with loved ones and enjoy
hobbies.
B:
Addiction – For the work addict, the prospect of these
pauses can be uncomfortable, even terrifying.
They often talk about not knowing what to do. Their frame of reference about their value is related to work
and making money. Thus, when not working they feel deprived of the
“fix” of their addictive substance and fear functioning in an
arena that cannot be controlled by a work process.
5) AM I
WILLING TO WALK AWAY?
A:
Passion – Passionate people get excited, but they are
also willing to stop.
B:
Addiction – The work addictive personality gets a
“high” from work. Some
workaholics describe the surge of energy they get from work, sometimes
confusing it with passion because they identify it with feeling alive.
But, they do NOT get the same feeling from a vacation, a hobby
or social events. In
other words, actual LIVING does not give them a buzz, only work.
Therefore, no
matter how trying the circumstances, how limiting the structure, how
threatening it may be to one’s health and well-being, they do not
feel they can walk away.
They say it
about the money; the truth is they’re hooked on work and most
certainly not living a passionate life!
If you would
like to explore healing Work Addiction further, here are the services
and products we provide to help:
- - Mary
Lyn Miller, Executive Director
NEED
ANSWERS? ASK MARY LYN
[ Up ] [ Career Articles and Advice - Archives ] [ Do You Believe? ] [ Diversifying Your Life / Work Portfolio ] [ Expectations for the Future ] [ What's Your Fear Quotient ] [ Free Agent Lifestyle ] [ The Gratitude Game ] [ Recovering From People Pleasing ] [ The Power of Vision - 4 Principles ] [ The Holidays - Relax! ] [ 3 Keys to Receiving ] [ The Greatest Risk You Can Take ] [ 3 Keys for Successful Life / Work ] [ Unlimited Vision ] [ Where Are You Going? ] [ Passionate or Work Addicted? ]
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