“I’m a workaholic!” said no one ever. But why do people become addicted to work? Is it a trait that should be celebrated or decimated?
Did my headline stop you in your tracks? The only correct answer is yes. If you’re taking too long to respond, there’s no denying it: you’re a certified workaholic with a capital W. You’re a card-carrying member of Workaholics Global, an association that solely exists with you until you start talking about it with others who are in the same boat.
Wait, don’t click away! There’s nothing to be ashamed of! Let me tell you a secret: I worked on this article on a weekend trip to Johor Bahru. Why? Well, because I’m a workaholic. Declaring myself as that on the interweb feels like an admission of guilt. See, I’ve always believed you shouldn’t make your day job – and, by extension, being a workaholic – your identity. It looks like I have to eat my words now.
Is workaholism some kind of disease?
Ooh, that’s a good question, honey. Merriam-Webster defines a workaholic as a compulsive worker. According to Vocabulary.com, these people are “obsessed with working to an unhealthy degree.” Basically, the power off switch doesn’t exist for them. They’re still furiously tapping away on their keyboards, replying to emails, and responding to work group chats beyond working hours, on weekends, and maybe even when they’re on leave. Yikes!
Lin Chin, career coach and founder of Deliberate Humans, an organisation that helps ambitious individuals redefine their career to fuel their growth, goals, and fulfilment, says workaholism is different from taking pride in one’s work, being committed to high standards, and wanting to progress in one’s career.
“Being dedicated to your work and wanting to do a good job means having clarity about how you want to show up in your occupation. At the same time, it’s important to be deliberate about choosing how much time and energy you put towards your work,” she says.
Distinguishing between working hard and becoming overly preoccupied with your job sounds simple in theory. However, it’s a delicate balancing act in practice. I can’t speak for my fellow workaholics, but there’ve been plenty of times when it’s late but I tell myself, “Just one more hour and I’ll wrap up”. Or, “I’ll finish this and shut down; I’m almost done anyway.” Sound familiar to any of you?
If you think that’s bad… well, brace yourselves, ‘cos it gets worse: despite having a 4.5-day work week, there are Fridays when I don’t diligently clock out at 1.30pm. Please don’t tell HR!
I’m working late, ‘cos I’m a workaholic
In 2022, Kisi studied 100 cities to determine which ones provide the healthiest work-life balance. The result? Singapore is the fourth most overworked city, following Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Our little island ranked second in 2021 and 2019, behind Hong Kong and Tokyo respectively. Meanwhile, statistics from the Ministry of Manpower show employees are clocking an average of 43.8 hours per week, down only an hour from a decade ago. (Our common work arrangement is up to 44 hours per week.)
Are we moving in the right direction? Hold that thought. Despite the reduced average working hours, we still hear tales of people working late into the night. See, the math isn’t mathing here. Why are people, particularly Singaporeans, becoming workaholics? Is it because they “have to” keep up with the rat race? Does ambition have something to do with it?
“Nobody sets out to be a workaholic,” Lin Chin tells me, to which I agree. Who in their right mind wants to be known as that? Unfortunately, there are some factors behind why folks fall into this conundrum. Firstly, employees might worry they’re not performing well, leading them to devote more time to work. However, this fixation doesn’t lead to any incremental or meaningful outputs.
Conditioning is another factor that can cause regular worker bees to turn to workaholism. “A prime example is the perceptions of success and hard work we are raised with. When we transition to the workplace, we bring this conditioning with us. Our initial work experiences are also formative. We might take those norms into a new culture.”
Lin Chin also highlights that many people build their identity around work, as it offers direction, meaning and purpose. So, they must constantly ensure they can continue building their work, reinforcing their selfhood.
“But what happens when you stop working? If you speak to people who are newly retired or unexpectedly retrenched, it’s a new phase of life in which they have to find other things to anchor their identities on.”
She works hard for the money identity
One of my close girlfriends is a proud workaholic. Her identity revolves around work, and despite being married and having a child, she prioritises her job. For the longest time, I didn’t understand why she was proud of this ‘role’ and even tried advising her to take it easy with work. I was concerned for her well-being.
You’ve heard horror stories of people ending up dead because they’ve worked too hard. The Japanese term for this is karoshi, which loosely translates to occupation-related sudden death. While there’s no direct correlation between the two, Lin Chin says it’s common for executives to develop heart problems, chronic diseases, and other ailments because of stressful situations.
“Extended stress can affect immunity and physical health through things like cortisol production, which has a cascade of effects across our body. There might be other somatic effects: you don’t know you’re stressed or overworking, but headaches or tummy upsets happen more regularly.”
Nowadays, I’ve stopped attempting to convince my friend to slow down her workaholic tendencies and stop equating work to her personality. Did I do it out of concern or was I projecting my fears and struggles with work-life balance onto her? I’ve realised each person’s relationship with work is deeply personal and shaped by various factors – some of which we might not fully understand or relate to.
Talking with Lin Chin and sharing my friend’s experience made me reflect on my own work habits. Am I really a workaholic, or do I just like what I do and don’t mind putting in more hours to complete my tasks and achieve my goals?
We can work from home… and shut down after office hours
Let’s wind back the clock to 2020: the world went into lockdown, and most people were forced to work from home. While this initially sounded like a sweet arrangement, the cracks eventually started showing. A 2020 study by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine cites issues like blurred work-life boundaries, making it difficult to mentally detach from work and increasing stress and anxiety.
Even though life has largely gone back to normal, flexible work arrangements are here to stay. Many companies have adopted hybrid work models, allowing employees to split their time between the office and home. This flexibility can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers greater autonomy and the potential for a better work-life balance. Conversely, it can lead to an “always-on” mentality. Some employees find it harder to set boundaries.
There are ways to circumvent these issues. Lin Chin encourages implementing mini rituals for your work days to help you change your headspace. She also recommends redefining productivity: what it means for you and how work fits into the kind of life and career path you design for yourself. Lastly, remember to build interests and social connections outside of work. Doing these can change your perspectives and options.
“It’s easier said than done, but these suggestions are definitely worth the work,” she tells me.
Do you end work on time or do you work overtime?
After a good, hard look, I’ve concluded that I’m not actually a workaholic. Rather, I have no qualms about extending my hours. Before you come for me, I’ll have you know there are marked differences between being a workaholic and simply working hard.
I’m not driven by a compulsive need to work and I don’t feel guilty or anxious when I’m not working. For me, working long hours is a temporary necessity for specific projects or deadlines. It’s all about control: those who work long hours, like yours truly, do so out of choice and can typically step back once the work is done. I’m also ambitious and want to hit my marks; I have clear goals and work strategically to accomplish them. Determined individuals understand the importance of rest and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
If you identify as a workaholic, please know that I’m not calling you out. You do you, babes! Regardless, it’s important to recognise the signs and take steps to address them. Ultimately, understanding the differences between workaholism and working hard can help you strike a healthier balance. You need to be deliberate about your choices and mindful of how you allocate your time and energy. By doing so, you can achieve your goals without sacrificing your well-being. “Know what you want and what’s important to you,” Lin Chin says.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to continue with some other pending tasks. Yes, I’m still working after my official hours, but I like what I do and I do it for myself. Once I’m done for the day, I’ll treat myself to a Netflix binge-fest. Small wins!
