The Workaholics: These low self-esteem sufferers know they have the ability and skills to be successful in their careers and devote the majority of their time and energy into making that happen. Success brings them a degree of satisfaction and feelings of adequacy as long as they remain in the job or position from which they get praise and/or respect and reward. Tending to gravitate where they feel best about themselves, work becomes a form of self-sabotage, as they place work before family or social arenas in which they feel less adequate. Workaholics often don't have time for a personal life or ignore and neglect those who are in their lives. Often they become overachievers.Do you know of some one that's a workaholic? I sure do, even I have been termed by people as being a "workaholic" One day, a friend of mine Paul, told me to get a life, because all I do is work, work at work work at home, work for this or that, but never take time for me and then for my family.
Did I change? No, I just reshuffled things a bit to look like I changed, and made excuses..."Oh, Im still at work, trying to avoid the traffic you know" or "I'm just busy with a student, you cant chase them out and say you going home now!" when in fact the student left ages ago but you still hanging around in the office.
Why do we do that? Is it because there are just so many demands in the work place lately that you even go to the loo with you iPad, Blackberry Z10 or PS4/5 or whatever device that is now so convenient that you can work from home, in the car, on the toilet, while on a holiday, in Church? I mean...it can operate on silent right? No one will know what you typing away there.
Are we avoiding something or someone? Maybe you avoiding those GIANTS in your head, maybe you avoiding being lonely, or maybe things are not as it should be at home.
Do you have anything to prove at work? Oh I can really get started on this topic....particularly where we find ourselves presently in South Africa, in the unhealthy work climate of employment equity, the undermining, the jealousy of colleagues one to another, backstabbing and just plain old insecurities. But, its not the answer is it.
So how do we overcome the insecurity of being a Workaholic?
Tuff question I do admit.
1. Realise it can become addictive
2. What are you avoiding in your life?
3. You work hard to prove your worth?
- Identify Why you feel inadequate or worthless?
- What can you do about it?
- Better your skills? why not
- Whatever it is, whatever it takes DO IT
There is only one person in life that can manage and in a sense direct your life and give you the permission to pursue what ever you intend to do...and that is YOU.
In saying this, its also important to rely on God to provide you wisdom and guidance, leading you to a wonderful invigorating sense of joy freedom and happiness.
This reminds me so of a song we often hear in Church.......Psalm 37:3
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord
And He delighteth in his(your) way
Tho’ he(thats now you) fall, he (you)shall not be utterly cast down
For the Lord upholdeth you with his hand
