Workaholics Day

According to Wikipedia, “An ergomaniac or workaholic is a person who is addicted to work."

Do you know one… or a few?

Maybe you are now… or were one yourself?

Being passionate about your career, your business, or your job is a good thing.  But, when it interferes with your family, your social life, or your health… it turns from a good thing to a dangerous thing.

I am not here to convince yourself of the detrimental effects of working 80+ hours a week – you probably know it, or aren’t willing to admit that it applies to you.

I would like to share a few ideas that may help you get more done in less time (whether or not you are a workaholic or not, these will still help you get more done).

Technology has made it FAR easier to become a 24x7 workaholic.  The tools are there to keep us plugged into work every waking moment. 

Email at our finger tips.

Phone calls can be made from anywhere (including your child’s or grandchild’s school or sporting events).

You may be at the event, but your child will see you working while there… defeating the entire purpose of you being there for them.

So I want to challenge you to try a few new things in the coming week:

1) 1.) Become a chunker.  Work in uninterrupted time chunks of 30 minutes.  Block off 30 minute chunks through your day – at least 4 of them.  2 hours of your day isn’t much to ask if it saves a relationship or your health. Plan out what exactly you will work on during that chunk.  And block out everything else. No phones. No email. No chat fests with colleagues. Just you and your project, and 30 minutes of uninterrupted time.  Use a timer to keep yourself on track.   Promise me you will try this?  You can get FAR more done in a 30 minute chunk of time than hours of ‘multi-tasking’ All the scientific research proves this as true

2) 2.)  Use the chunking method with those you love as well.  Book off time to be with them and promise them you will NOT check email or answer your phone during that time. The punishment if you do?  Cash – you pay them $20 for every offence. That will help!

3) 3.)  Find an accountability partner that can help you stick to the plan. Talk to them once a day for 5 minutes – reporting in on how you are doing and where you faltered. Admitting your mistakes publicly, regularly will help you see how bad it has become.

There, 3 simple tips that anyone can try out.

Are you up for the challenge?

Will you give it a go for a week, at a minimum?

Good – now block off some times for your chunking – and stick to the plan.

It will do far more for your health, your relationships, and your productivity than anything else.

Try it and let me know how it works out…please.