Limits, or, Why Workaholism Is Bad, or, How to Garuntee Yourself No Promotions Ever

[nightlarke]

Remember how, back in May (and for a few months before that, and, honestly, since I started working for this Nice Little Non-Profit) I was working rather a lot

Comments

[whetherwoman]

It's easy to do. In a lot of ways, I'm happier when I'm working myself into the ground. Because I'm telling myself that what I do MATTERS, more than anything else, including my health and my relationships. If it matters that much, then it's okay that I'm pouring so much energy into it. If it doesn't matter that much... well, I get bored. I think that's probably a big reason why I like working for nonprofits.

Things that sometimes help: finding other things that matter (relationships and exercise goals have worked for me in the past). Finding people I look up to who consistently tell me to back off and go home. Trusting family and friends when they say it's time to take a mental health day.

[nightlarke]

Because I'm telling myself that what I do MATTERS, more than anything else, including my health and my relationships. If it matters that much, then it's okay that I'm pouring so much energy into it. If it doesn't matter that much... well, I get bored.

Dude, this. What you said x1,000,000. Thank you so much for putting it into better words than I ever could (as usual).

As much as work-related stress is Very Not Good (and really rough on Kevin), I'd honestly take it over boredom any day of the week. And non-profits really are addictive like that... I'm so happy I'm not the only one who feels that way!

Fantastic advice! Excercize especially... we've been working out mornings for the past 1.5 weeks, and my life outlook has improved greatly. Stuff to think about that's not work = YAY.

Historically, I've been really bad at listening to people when they tell me to go home. I suspect I'll get better after the May 2011 incident.