Define work: work is a long, dark tunnel between leisurely weekends. A workaholic not needing a getaway displays a passion bordering on addiction. His work, whether there or what he brings home is the single pursuit that mostly dominates his thinking. Does he get great personal satisfaction, thinking that others will measure the value of it by income or prestige? Not really, because by contrast, others see his work as no more than a time filler or even a time waster.

Most are wont to work, others work to live, and still others die at or because of their work. On numerous occasionswe go home from work, after a farewell greeting to a workmate, only to learn next day he has died during the night.

A diligent worker who has reached the pinnacle may suffer burnoutfrom the exertion needed to climb that ladderto play that gameonly to reap "chronic trepidation, distress, despondency or depression." To avoid that learn how to distinguish between hard workers and workaholics. Balance is needed between work and life. Instead of working longer and taking more work home to please bosses who seldom offer a word of appreciation, see yourself as a hard worker, producing quality goods wisdom, knowledge, and proficiency. Be a go-getter, a self-starter; see the need and fill it. See the workplace as a havenwhile there experience work as an essential and sometimes fulfilling obligation.

Is there an emotional payoff in overworking; a fix of adrenaline; and can you get a high from it? No indeed! There's a time to work, and a time to playa time to crowd out all other aspects of life, and to know when to turn off the computer, or to switch gears mentally.

Albeit one cannot always change our circumstances, we can adjust our attitude. For example:

There is nothing better With a man than that he should eat and indeed drink and cause his soul to see good because of his hard work. It is a gift he deserves from the hand of the true God

What though after months of hard labor at an assignment someone else reaps the benefits? You feel, I should have been trained for that position, but sadly my expectations postponed did make my heartsick. It did happenthe fear of not losing anything, but I did indeed lose everything:

but to a man that has not worked hard at such a thing will be given the portion of that one. (Ecc 2:21)

We are not again recommending ourselves; our works do the recommending, because wisdom is proved

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Workaholism: When it's time to go home?
We want to hear your view. Write now!