We usually write about improving your resume, making an impression at the interview, and landing the perfect job. However, this week’s topic is about the dangers of overdoing it. We all want to have a great career and a satisfying life, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. There’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your work and putting extra time into your job. But if the extra focus you put on work is having a negative effect on how much you can enjoy life, you could be a workaholic!

I work hard, but am I a workaholic?

Just because you work hard, it doesn’t mean you’re a workaholic. If you love your job and enjoy the time you spend working, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if your commitment to your job is coming at the expense of other important things in your life, you may want to look for ways to regain some balance. Here are some things to look out for:

-You find yourself canceling things in your schedule that aren’t work related.

-You bring your work everywhere, and it’s always on your mind. You sometimes stay awake worrying about work the next day.

-When you get out to social functions or get together with family and friends, you find yourself talking about work more than anything else.

Don’t get me wrong. Your career is and should always be a large part of your adult life. Your career is part of your identity and who you are as a person, but it shouldn’t be the only part of who you are. Remember that you’re working in order to live a comfortable life. If you don’t have time for a life outside of work, you’re not truly living! Especially if you’re working in order to provide a better life for your family, spending time with them too will keep you motivated at work and make you more productive in both aspects of your life.

How you can help yourself

If you think you may be a workaholic, there are practical ways to improve your quality of life. Here are a few ideas you can use right away:

-Take care of yourself. Workaholics are notorious for neglecting their health. You may not realize it, but your health is worth a million dollars! Think of how much money you’d have to pay to get a heart transplant, or for other major surgeries to repair your body. When you add it all up, you’ll see you can’t afford not to take care of yourself. Eating right and getting exercise are essential. Being healthy should be your first priority always, because without your health, nothing else matters.

-Another idea is to plan how much work you will do in one day and stick to it. That way you’ll be less likely to go overboard because you don’t know where to draw the line.

-Reserve the time for friends and family. Whether it’s Saturday and Sunday or Wednesday and Thursday, use your time off to spend time with your loved ones. Make a pact with yourself that your time off will only be spent with the ones you care about most- that means no co-workers!

-Last but not least, always make time for yourself. Take up a hobby if you don’t have one already. There needs to be a time where you spend time appreciating you. Whether you like to hit the gym, play a sport, or curl up with a great book, there needs to be some you time. No matter what goes on at work, you need to have something to look forward to at the end of the week. Even if it’s just taking a bubble bath or renting your favorite DVD, I guarantee it will make a difference.