Coaching Information

Overcoming Work Addiction


Why are you so busy? Do you really have too much work? Is work so important to you that you'll sacrifice just about anything in your life to get the job done? Even if it's at the expense of your health and your relationships?

If you find these questions disturbing then see how you rate with these ones:

Do you work more than 50 hours a week?

Do you dream about work?

Do you feel that in order to succeed you must work late most of the time?

Are you a stranger in your own home?

Do you constantly miss family and social events because you're always working?

Do you schedule and undertake more than you can get done in a 40-hour work week?

Do you get bored when you're not working?

Is missing family and social events because of work unavoidable?

When on holiday do you constantly check your phone messages and email?

Your Score

The greater the number of yes answers, the closer you are to fitting the profile of a workaholic. If you've answered yes to more than half of the questions, it's time to take stock before you lose your health, family and everything you hold near and dear to your heart.

Do a Stocktake

First, of all take a really good look at your job, what you do and the importance of your accomplishments. Are you appreciated for all those long hours you've put in? Does it really - I mean really - make a difference to your income? Let's face it. In today's economic environment, employees are often nothing more than expendable pawns. No amount of overtime and sacrifice will make a difference when a company has to make cutbacks.

Are You Having Fun?

Secondly, determine if you're having fun at your job, long hours notwithstanding. If you're not having fun and are popping antacids to avoid a stress-related ulcer, then you need to rethink all that hard work you're putting in. Fun must be a high priority in your life and your job should be no exception.

Gary's Story

In one of our coaching sessions, Gary told me he wanted to expand his social circle yet didn't have time because he worked from 7.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. most days. He said he'd been doing this for years and that it was 'the norm' in his profession.

As I continued to question him about why it was standard procedure to work these ridiculous hours, he realised that those colleagues who succumbed to this belief were all very unhappy individuals. Most of them were divorced just like he was and had no-one to go home to. They used work as a way to avoid the loneliness.

Gary was divorced because he didn't pay attention to his relationships. He would arrive home at 7.30 p.m. most nights and his wife wouldn't bother communicating with him. She was busy looking after their two young boys and meeting their needs. At that time of night his wife was putting the kids to bed.

Gary would read them a story if they hadn't already fallen asleep.

He was missing out on everything that was important to him.

Unfortunately Gary didn't wake up to himself in time and got caught up with being 'Mr. Important' at work. He paid a heavy price with the divorce which followed.

Bringing Up Kids

In his book "Raising Boys", Stephen Biddulph categorically states: If you routinely work a fifty five or sixty hour week, including travel times, you just won't cut it as a dad.

He says: Your sons will have problems in life and it will be down to you.

The Final Word

If you seriously want to make changes to your life, then take action now. If it's too hard to do by yourself, get a coach. If you've been a workaholic it can take awhile to break your old habits and to instill new behaviours. After all you've got everything to gain by working less and everything to lose by continuing the way you are.

About The Author

Lorraine Pirihi, principal of The Office Organiser (http://www.office-organiser.com.au) is Australia's Personal Productivity Coach.

Lorraine specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.

We Offer a Broad Range of Services and Products including: Coaching for small business owners and professionals, keynote presentations and workshops, books, CD's, DVD's and on-line learning programs.

Take action today! Contact Lorraine to discuss your specific needs at lorraine@office-organiser.com.au


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

Coaching legend Don Haskins dies
Sports Network - 4 hours ago
El Paso, TX (Sports Network) - Hall of Fame basketball coach Don Haskins, who helped break racial barriers in the collegiate game, died Sunday at the age of ...
Coaching legend Don Haskins dies at 78 HoopsWorld
Coaching legend Don Haskins has died El Paso Times
Coaching pioneer Haskins dies at 78 United Press International
ESPN - NewsOK.com
all 502 news articles


Canada.com

Lions' poor tackling about talent, not coaching
MLive.com, MI - 6 hours ago
Well, the coaches and players can talk all they want about going back to work and emphasizing this and that, but poor tackling isn't about coaching, ...
More than just a victory for Falcons Atlanta Journal Constitution
Turner quickly shows potential DetNews.com
Falcons Beat Lions, 34-21 The Falcoholic
all 497 news articles


Hull Daily Mail

HULL KR COACHING ROLE FOR CHESTER?
Hull Daily Mail, UK - 33 minutes ago
HULL KR coach Justin Morgan has left the door open for Chris Chester to pursue a coaching role at the club after injury finally brought an end to his ...


Coaching may help
The Times of Trenton - NJ.com, NJ - 2 hours ago
Katherine McGavern is an ADHD coach who helps adults with time management, organization and setting up systems that work for them. ...


Coaching for Chester at Hull KR?
Hull Daily Mail, UK - 11 minutes ago
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan has left the door open for Chris Chester to pursue a coaching role at the club after injury finally brought an end to his ...


Gunson happy to be coaching coaches
Manawatu Standard, New Zealand - 6 hours ago
By PENNY MILES - Manawatu Standard | Monday, 08 September 2008 When Lyn Gunson (nee Parker) last visited Palmerston North, it was as coach of the 1989 New ...


The Patriot-News - PennLive.com

Beavers to face coaching legend today
Statesman Journal, OR - Sep 6, 2008
By Gary Horowitz • Statesman Journal It was a moment that speaks to the legend and longevity of Penn State coach Joe Paterno. When Lyle Moevao was asked ...
The Alphabetical: NCAA Football, Week 2 SportingNews.com
Eternally Paterno The Oregonian - OregonLive.com
all 26 news articles


SuperPrep.com

Carter Takes in The Swamp and More
SuperPrep.com - 6 hours ago
Carter stayed busy but didn't get time with the coaching staff during the visit. He already knows what they like about him, and he knows what he likes about ...
INSIDE RECRUITING SI.com
all 6 news articles


Irish Independent

The coaching conundrum
Irish Independent, Ireland - 22 hours ago
O nce upon a time in one of the established rugby playing countries, an aspiring coach sought advice on a job offer he had received. ...


Times Online

WTA tour to allow on-court tennis coaching
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Sep 4, 2008
On-court coaching will be allowed at all women's tournaments next season, apart from the four grand slams, in a move that will not please the ...
WTA to Feature On-Court Coaching Washington Post
WTA approves coaching during matches San Francisco Chronicle
WTA Tour allows on-court coaching next year The Associated Press
SINDH TODAY - The Press Association
all 232 news articles

Coaching - Google News

home | site map
© 2006