Workaholic Anonymous

Do you find yourself spending more time at work than at home? Is every thought about work important whereas thoughts about friends or family outside of work are irritating distractions? Are the only people you talk to your coworkers or the Australian-mode Siri on your phone?

coworking, co-working, shared space, balance, wellness, mindfulness

You may be a workaholic.

But don’t despair! Finding the perfect work/life balance can be difficult, but it’s far

from impossible.

First ask yourself, why are you working? If the answer is your family, or something else you’re passionate about, remember that you’re working for them and take time to enjoy what you love. If your passion is your work, then congratulations. Most people are not lucky enough to do what they love. But with this privilege comes great responsibility. You need to pay even closer attention to life outside of work because it may be more easily forgotten.

Here are some steps you can take.

Try coworking! A shared space can foster effective work and create a good atmosphere for human interaction. Something as simple as another person offering you coffee could break you out of your work shell and bring you back to real life.
Schedule your time. Don’t only schedule your work. Schedule family time.Write it down to better see if one side is taking over.
Remember that being a workaholic isn’t a bad thing, but in the long run, it just isn’t sustainable. So shift your mindset to think of yourself as only a part-time workaholic! Because that schedule will set you up for a more sustainable lifestyle.
Turn off your phone. Turn off your laptop. Turn off the notification ding that goes off in your mind to remind you to reach for your phone or laptop. Electronics are part of the addiction so put them aside during lunch and on weekends.
Try some mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and bring yourself back into the present moment. Read up on them here: Mindfulness.Org
Prioritize. What’s the most important thing in your life? Anything relating to that goes first on the list. Never forget the big picture.

Don’t be ashamed of being a workaholic! Many people suffer from the opposite problem, being lazy couch potatoes who find it just as difficult to pry their eyes from the latest Netflix original as you do to leave your work desk. Just remember that life doesn’t end in the workplace. It happens everywhere else. So don’t be afraid to look around and smell the roses; they’re especially sweet this year.