Thursday, June 16, 2011

Twenty Questions

I thought it would be interesting to share the twenty questions that Workaholics Anonymous developed to help people who are wondering if they are indeed, workaholics. You can find these questions and other useful and interesting information on the Workaholics Anonymous website. Four months ago, when I first confronted my work addiction (well, it confronted me - in the form of a breakdown), I answered yes to 14 of these questions. I'm working hard to change my answers. I know that I can.
  1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else?
  2. Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when you can't?
  3. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?
  4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?
  5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
  6. Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures?
  7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts?
  8. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
  9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't otherwise get done?
  10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to complete it?
  11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing?
  12. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?
  13. Are you afraid that if you don't work hard you will lose your job or be a failure?
  14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?
  15. Do you do things energetically and competitively including play?
  16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?
  17. Have your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?
  18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others are talking?
  19. Do you work or read during meals?
  20. Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life?
If you answer "yes" to three or more of these questions you may be a workaholic. Relax. You are not alone. Many have found recovery through the tools of this fellowship. (Workaholics Anonymous)

5 comments:

  1. It is safe to say that I am not addicted to work (although, I am unemployed...)

    However, I think this is a great way to see if you spend too much time doing any one thing. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. <----------SO not addicted to work!!!
    Whew - one less addiction - yay!!
    ~s

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  3. Wosushi - you are so right. These questions are good check in points on anything. Dawn - glad to hear that - it's a doozy of an addiction. I actually believe that I have it under control...but I have only been back to work for three days so need to remain extremely vigilant.

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  4. This is great information - thanks for posting it Dawn. I am grateful to say that I am not addicted to work, although about 5 years ago, this was definitely a description of me (I think I would have answered yes to 12 or 13 of those questions). I just suddenly woke up one day and realized it wasn't worth it and stopped the madness. It's taken work, but I'm happy to say I'm in a very different place now. I have full confidence that you will get there too!

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  5. Thanks, Kristen. I am already in a different place today, quite happily. It will take determination and vigilance, but I concur - it just isn't worth my life. Thanks for sharing that you once were "mad" and you have stopped it. Gives me hope!

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