A workaholic, colloquially, is a person who is addicted to work. This phrase does not always imply that the person actually enjoys their work, but rather simply feels compelled to do it. There is no generally accepted medical definition of such a condition, although some forms of stress, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder can be work-related. Although the term "workaholic" usually has a negative connotation, it is sometimes used by people wishing to express their devotion to one's career in positive terms. The "work" in question is usually associated with a paying job, but it may also refer to independent pursuits such as sports, music and art. A "workaholic" in the negative sense is popularly characterized by a neglect of family and other social relations.
Workaholism in Japan is considered a serious social problem leading to early death, often on the job, a phenomenon dubbed karōshi.

Workaholic - A 10 Step Recovery Plan for Workaholics

The term "workaholic" is not an official medical or psychological condition, however it widely used to refer to those who spend an excessive amount of time on work and work-related issues to the detriment of their health, social lives, family life, or leisure time.

Workaholic Recovery Plan

It will require a lot of effort on your part to make a shift from work being the sole focus of your life to making room for family, friends and leisure activities. For a true workaholic, the following tasks will be easier said than done but are essential in order to gain your life back:

1. Create personal time. Block out time on your calendar as personal time to spend with family and non-work friends.

2. Stay connected while traveling. When on the road for business, call home frequently to stay connected.

3. Learn how to delegate. Delegate some work and learn to say no to new assignments. At a minimum, learn not to be the first to volunteer to take the assignment.

4. Take time off. Start with a long weekend and gradually move up to longer vacations. Don't bring any work along!

5. Develop an exercise routine. After clearing it with your doctor, integrate some sort of regular exercise into your schedule. Better yet, ask a friend or a family member to be your workout buddy to ensure you keep up the routine.

6. Consider volunteering. Great therapy can be found in helping others. Volunteering also presents an opportunity to meet new non-work people.

7. Do nothing. Remind yourself that it is okay to take a break, sit and relax and do nothing. Sit quietly outside and try to identify all the different sounds you can hear, or try reading a book (a non-work-related book) or listening to music.

8. Take up a hobby. Find a hobby or two to focus on after work.

9. Reject perfectionism. Convince yourself that not everything you do must be perfect to your standards. Operating this way can make you inefficient and often leads to excessive work.

10. Sleep. Sleep is not overrated! Develop an ending time for your work every night and head to bed. We all need a decent number of hours of sleep.

If you find yourself unable to complete any of these tasks, consider seeking professional help to deal with what is basically an addiction.



Autor: Hilary Basile

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com http://www.myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

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Added: June 5, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

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