I am a recovering workaholic. When my children were very young, I held an executive position in a demanding industry; my husband and I were constantly traveling; I held offices in a few professional and volunteer organizations; was on the speaker's route, and totally exhausted - but loving it. Fortunately, I had help with my kids and a system for keeping the household organized. I was not only a perfectionist, every project came in on time and on budget, if not ahead of schedule.
Unfortunately, being such a workaholic, largely not being able to say "no," led to serious fatigue. Coincidentally, I was diagnosed with lupus and had to give up the professional life. That was not easy!
My husband is the workaholic who missed the growing years with the kids. It was up to me to make the school concerts, ball games and scout meetings and events. Of this, though, I'm very proud, because I didn't miss the events that were important to my kids.
I can say firsthand that there is nothing admirable about being a workaholic. It does negatively impact the family, and the marriage. It's important to get one's life priorities in order, and the job should never come first. I know, that's a tall order when the job is what pays the bills, or when the employer is less than flexible. Find a new employer, or find another way to generate an income. I know, that's hard, too. But, if one can get her priorities straight, she can achieve anything.
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I am a recovering workaholic. When my children were very young, I held an executive position in a demanding industry; my husband and I were constantly traveling; I held offices in a few professional and volunteer organizations; was on the speaker's route, and totally exhausted - but loving it. Fortunately, I had help with my kids and a system for keeping the household organized. I was not only a perfectionist, every project came in on time and on budget, if not ahead of schedule.
Unfortunately, being such a workaholic, largely not being able to say "no," led to serious fatigue. Coincidentally, I was diagnosed with lupus and had to give up the professional life. That was not easy!
My husband is the workaholic who missed the growing years with the kids. It was up to me to make the school concerts, ball games and scout meetings and events. Of this, though, I'm very proud, because I didn't miss the events that were important to my kids.
I can say firsthand that there is nothing admirable about being a workaholic. It does negatively impact the family, and the marriage. It's important to get one's life priorities in order, and the job should never come first. I know, that's a tall order when the job is what pays the bills, or when the employer is less than flexible. Find a new employer, or find another way to generate an income. I know, that's hard, too. But, if one can get her priorities straight, she can achieve anything.
July 7, 2008 - 4:50pmThis Comment
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