Workaholism vs. High Achievement: Where Do You Draw the Line?
Let's be honest, you've all had that moment where you've answered work emails while brushing your teeth, or "quickly checked Slack" during a dinner date (not cool, my guy).
But at what point does being a rockstar employee or leader transform into being a work-obsessed zombie? I want to take a look at the surprisingly thin line between crushing it at work and, well, having work crush you.
You know that feeling when you're about to close your laptop, and suddenly you hear the siren song of your inbox? "Just one more email," you whisper to yourself, like you're a midnight snacker promising they'll only eat one potato chip. A whole bag of doritos later, and three hours later, you're deep in a spreadsheet rabbit hole, wondering where the evening went. If this sounds familiar, you might be flirting with workaholism.
High achievers like you are like skilled surfers riding waves of productivity. They know when to catch a wave and, critically, when to head back to shore. But workaholics, on the other hand, are more like that friend who refuses to leave the water even during a shark warning or hurricane. The workaholics are not just riding waves; they're trying to drink the entire ocean.
Here's a fun game: spot the difference!
High Achiever:
- Sets ambitious but realistic goals
- Takes breaks without feeling guilty (well, maybe a little guilty)
- Celebrates wins with a nice dinner
- Has hobbies that don't include spreadsheets
Workaholic:
- Sets impossible goals, then sets more impossible goals
- Takes breaks but spends them thinking about not taking breaks
- Celebrates wins by immediately seeking newer, bigger wins
- Has hobbies that somehow always turn into side hustles
My philosophy is productivity isn't about working more; it's about working smarter. High achievers understand this like a chef knows their recipes. Workaholics? They're more like someone trying to bake a cake by throwing every ingredient they own into the mix. More isn't always better, Karen.
If you're needing a reality check...
Ask yourself these questions:
1. When was the last time you had dinner without your phone serving as a second plate?
2. Do you know your pet's name? (Kidding, mostly, have you fed them recently?)
3. Have you ever declined a meeting without feeling like you've committed a cardinal sin?
4. Does your idea of "me time" involve checking work emails in a bubble bath?
Okay, sit with that for a moment.
The goal isn't to stop being ambitious, it's really to be ambitiously balanced. Think of it like my coffee addiction: one or two cups can make me superhuman, but twelve cups will have me vibrating through walls and speaking in binary code.
High achievement is about running a marathon, while workaholism is like trying to sprint that marathon.
Remember, your laptop doesn't need a goodnight kiss, your spouse and kids do, and your email inbox isn't going to send you a Valentine's Day card. Success is sweet, but having a life that doesn't revolve around your job title? That's the real achievement.
So next time you find yourself answering emails at 3 AM, ask yourself: "Am I being a high achiever, or am I just one project away from divorce?"
Your future self (and your neglected houseplants) will thank you.
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