Within this broad generalization, there
are also those who
choose to overwork themselves. We shall deal first with the true
blue workaholics i.e., those who take their work seriously and
cannot kick the habit of working. Such people have to
progressively understand that work is never-ending. Rather
than undertake the work alone, they should learn to delegate
and farm out the work. Bosses often pile work on workaholics
because they can produce results. A person has but two hands
and there is a limit as to how much work he can handle. It is
therefore useful to learn how to say “No” and to reject work. If
attention is spread too thin among all the assignments, quality is
adversely affected and it would not benefit the company. Devote
more time to relationships. Be convinced that success in life is
incomplete if it is only a success at work but a failure at home.
The second group of workers intentionally put themselves in
that position of a workaholic for various reasons:-
1. The pretender
He works hard only when his bosses are looking. One Japanese
bank manager we knew had this daily routine. He would leave his
computer on, switch to a password-protected screensaver mode,
and sneak out of the office at about 5pm. He had his dinner,
shower, booze and returned to office at 8pm. He then worked till
midnight and returned home after that. His boss would leave the
office at about 11pm, and was always pleased to see this manager
at his desk even at that late hour.
2. The opportunist
There is a rosy opportunity, a managerial position that is recently
vacant and up for grabs. This person has been eyeing it for a long
time and decides to become a work addict overnight to prove to
the management that he has the cut for the job. He makes a lot of
'noise' while at work just so that people know that he is working
hard.
3. The insecure
At the other end of the spectrum, instead of a possible promotion,
this person senses a threat to his position. He may get fired
because he handled something badly or there is a new employee
who is better qualified. The feeling of insecurity motivates this
person to work.
4. The procrastinator
He sits on files, drags his feet. Close to the deadline, he suddenly
wakes up to the reality that his career is on the line if he does not
complete the assignment. During this last stretch of the race, and
so close to the deadline, he has no alternative but to work doubly
hard.
5. The escapist
Family unhappiness causes him to stay out of the home. With
nowhere else to go, he stays in office for as long as he can and dives
into work to keep his mind away from his marital problems.
Curing the habit for these lot of people will depend on the reason
for them working long hours.
choose to overwork themselves. We shall deal first with the true
blue workaholics i.e., those who take their work seriously and
cannot kick the habit of working. Such people have to
progressively understand that work is never-ending. Rather
than undertake the work alone, they should learn to delegate
and farm out the work. Bosses often pile work on workaholics
because they can produce results. A person has but two hands
and there is a limit as to how much work he can handle. It is
therefore useful to learn how to say “No” and to reject work. If
attention is spread too thin among all the assignments, quality is
adversely affected and it would not benefit the company. Devote
more time to relationships. Be convinced that success in life is
incomplete if it is only a success at work but a failure at home.
The second group of workers intentionally put themselves in
that position of a workaholic for various reasons:-
1. The pretender
He works hard only when his bosses are looking. One Japanese
bank manager we knew had this daily routine. He would leave his
computer on, switch to a password-protected screensaver mode,
and sneak out of the office at about 5pm. He had his dinner,
shower, booze and returned to office at 8pm. He then worked till
midnight and returned home after that. His boss would leave the
office at about 11pm, and was always pleased to see this manager
at his desk even at that late hour.
2. The opportunist
There is a rosy opportunity, a managerial position that is recently
vacant and up for grabs. This person has been eyeing it for a long
time and decides to become a work addict overnight to prove to
the management that he has the cut for the job. He makes a lot of
'noise' while at work just so that people know that he is working
hard.
3. The insecure
At the other end of the spectrum, instead of a possible promotion,
this person senses a threat to his position. He may get fired
because he handled something badly or there is a new employee
who is better qualified. The feeling of insecurity motivates this
person to work.
4. The procrastinator
He sits on files, drags his feet. Close to the deadline, he suddenly
wakes up to the reality that his career is on the line if he does not
complete the assignment. During this last stretch of the race, and
so close to the deadline, he has no alternative but to work doubly
hard.
5. The escapist
Family unhappiness causes him to stay out of the home. With
nowhere else to go, he stays in office for as long as he can and dives
into work to keep his mind away from his marital problems.
Curing the habit for these lot of people will depend on the reason
for them working long hours.
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