Many entrepreneurs and business leaders work every hour they can in pursuit of success. It leads to them being described as workaholics.
The suggestion is that they are addicted to the work and unable to function without it. For the majority, that isn’t true.
In fact, most hard-working entrepreneurs are simply putting in the time and effort required to get to where they want to be.
But there comes a time when such commitment takes its toll. Readers, whether you are workaholics or simply driven people, the risk of burnout is the same.
Workaholics and Life
Burning the candle at both ends, to use an old cliché, is not sustainable and will eventually impact on your quality of life.
And you must ask yourself, what’s the point in working that hard if you can’t enjoy the rewards.
(I’d caveat that by saying I understand some people see the work itself as the reward. That’s fine until you are so burned out you can’t do the work anymore).
Most of us can probably agree that while achieving goals and making profits are important objectives, health and happiness are also essential.
The Impact
Workaholics, as people have taken to calling them, devote so much time to their business that they cannot maintain a healthy work-life balance.
That can impact mental and physical health, make you less productive, and, crucially, impact on those around you. What happens to your family if you are in the office 80-plus hours a week or always replying to emails when you are at home?
Solutions for Workaholics?
Providing solutions for workaholics isn’t simple, as everyone is different. That said, here are five ways you can address overworking and find a work-life balance.
- Take Time Out to Rest
Rest is necessary to grow at work. It’s comparable to strengthening ourselves by lifting weights. Our muscles expand because, after being torn apart by heavier weightlifting, the fibres come together during the rest period to generate new muscle. Being able to relax is the problem. Therefore, schedule a 15 to 30-minute transition period after work to decompress, make wiser decisions, and choose rest. During this time, you could go for a walk, read a book, or chat with a loved one.
- Do Some Self-Reflection
Find time to reflect on your motivation for working so much. If you are motivated by fear, such as the dread of losing money or failing to measure up, consider what you actually value and what is missing from your life. If joy and fulfilment are the driving forces, consider how finding balance and making time for other pursuits might increase happiness.
- Effectively Schedule Your Time
Making sure your personal life is scheduled can be a fantastic approach to closing that gap. First, having a written schedule of non-work appointments can be helpful, whether you have theatre tickets, dinner with friends and family, or are just going to the gym. Then, by sticking to a timetable, you can schedule your time away from work and yet feel like you’re being productive.
- Delegate
Workaholics sometimes find themselves in that position because they feel they must be responsible for every piece of work. You can address this by learning to delegate. Yes, it means entrusting elements of your business to others, but the rewards can be many. Not only do you get some of your time back, you also give people the opportunity to rise to the challenge and shine. You are redressing your work-life balance while giving someone else the chance to develop professionally. Some feel embarrassed about asking subordinates if they can help out. Don’t. The best leaders are surrounded by those who are better at specific tasks than they are. Getting the right expertise into the right places, letting people grow in challenging roles, and getting some time back for yourself will also help your business blossom.
- Unwind
The modern environment is particularly difficult for workaholics. They cannot simply exit the office and leave their work behind. Smartphones, tablets, and computers mean you are never out of contact, in the evening, at weekends, or on holiday. This has become more acute among the workforce following the ‘work from home’ policy of the COVID-19 pandemic. What was, for many, a haven from work – their home – has now had that barrier broken down, letting work seep further and further into home life. For workaholics, a good trick is to schedule specific periods of the day to disengage entirely from work. Set times when your devices will be ignored in favour of time with the family, time with your hobbies, or just time focusing on anything other than your job.
Conclusion
There is, of course, nothing wrong with enjoying your job or being dedicated to your business. But when work disrupts your personal life, makes you feel run down, or leads to people calling us workaholics, something must be done.
Following the tips above can help bring some work-life balance. And no, this isn’t a ‘luxury’ during these challenging times when every hour counts to keep a business going.
Fail to find balance and you will burn out. What use will you be to anyone then? How will your business fare if that happens?
