by Katarzyna Radzka

Created on: June 16, 2009

It's Friday night and you're still at the office, you're friends are calling you up to head out for a drink but you decline. The pile of paperwork is staring at you and there's no way you can leave it behind, plus there's still all those emails to send and forms to fill out. It's doubtful you'll be getting out before midnight.

Working overtime

Doing over time does not always mean that you are a workaholic, certain jobs require time to outside of normal working hours to get the job done, and if you want to keep your job you have no choice but to stay behind and work. However, if you're working overtime all the time, even if it's not absolutely necessary, than a problem is starting to develop.

Spending weekends at work

It's Saturday morning and you've decided to stop by the office. You send some emails, catch up on some paperwork and by the time you check your watch it's well past four in the afternoon and you've spent an extra day at work. If this happens often and with no excess work, than you might be developing the habits of a workaholic.

Opting to work instead of going out

The idea of leaving your work behind and going out with friends depresses you. Sure you'd love to catch up but you'd prefer to work on the project most of the night to get a head start and make sure that you have a fantastic presentation for next month. Stop right now. Leave the project, unless of course it's due tomorrow, and go out and have some fun, it will do you a world of good.

Cancelling friends due to work commitments

You've promised to go out for your friends birthday or have decided to meet up for drinks. At the last minute you ring up, cancel, and stay in at home with work from the office because it just can't wait till tomorrow, at least according to you. Work comes first, fun second. Though if you keep this up you're not going to have any friends left to have fun with.

Putting work before everything else

The first thing you do when you get up is think about work, breakfast is usually coffee and at your desk, by the time you even think about lunch is because your stomach is grumbling and it's close to dinner time. Social engagements, drinks with friends, and family outings are the last thing on your mind, and you only go when there really is no work left to do, or when you're family is threatening to disown you.

If most of the above sound like you, than it's likely that you are damaging not only your long term health, but also ruining your closest relationship. Loving your job is fantastic, if only we could all be so lucky, but being a workaholic is not going to get you anywhere. Remember to make time for your family and friends, and find the right balance between work and fun.

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