Friday's Thoughts for July 10,2009

Friday thoughts . . .
A couple of days ago my granddaughter Olivia greeting me at the door (after work) with index cards in her hand. She told me she had a quiz to give me and proceeded to read out the instructions.

“Grandma, only answer yes or no – no maybes”, she instructed me.

Question #1. Compared with five years ago, is work now a regular part of evenings and weekends? Do you get irritated if family or friends interrupt work time? hmmm
Question #2. Has work squeezed out time in the community, time with family and exercise time? It's not just temporary; it's the new normal. Does my gradual turn around since RE/MAX count?
Question #3. Do you eat faster, talk faster, walk faster? And do you always feel as if you're “behind” – rushing to catch up? I’m a slow eater.
Question #4. Have back problems and other health issues surfaced because your body is rigid all day long? You can't sleep. I sleep when I’m tired – or was that exhausted? Just kidding.
Question #5. Is your concentration shot? Are you moody, have trouble communicating and are obsessed with small details because you've lost sight of the big picture? I do see the big picture – yeah!!

When she finished, I asked her where she got these questions. She replied, “The Globe and Mail –it was on the table and I read it while having my snack.” Then she looked up with a glint in her eye and announced, “Hey, I wonder what’s a shopaholic? Think they have a quiz? I’m going to google it.” Off she went.


Meanwhile, I wanted to know more. I googled and searched the Globe and Mail edition. Here is what I found.

How to differentiate between a workaholic and someone who's merely working hard.
Reality: There is no typical workaholic, Statscan studies show. Self-described workaholics are no more likely than non-workaholics to be young, highly educated, city dwellers or high-income earners. They are more likely to be in management and trades, be unhappy with their work/life balance – and twice as likely to report they work 50 hours a week or more.

Five warning signs: (Aha! This is Olivia’s source – she just changed up a few words )
1. Compared with five years ago, work is now a regular part of evenings and weekends. You get irritated if family or friends interrupt work time.
2. Work has squeezed out time in the community, time with family and exercise time. It's not just temporary; it's the new normal.
3. You eat faster, talk faster, walk faster. And you always feel as if you're “behind” – rushing to catch up.
4. Back problems and other health issues surface because your body is rigid all day long. You can't sleep.
5. Concentration is shot. You're moody, have trouble communicating and are obsessed with small details because you've lost sight of the big picture.
Sources: Clinical psychologist and author Barbara Killinger, work/life balance expert and author Randall Craig


By the numbers:
31 is the percentage of Canadian adults who say they are workaholics
33 is the percentage of workaholics who say they're dissatisfied with their work/life balance
20 is the percentage of non-workaholics who say they're dissatisfied with their work/life balance 86 is the percentage of workaholics who say they feel rushed trying to get through the day
73 is the percentage of non-workaholics who say they feel rushed trying to get through the day
56 is the percentage of workaholics who say they don't have time for fun any more
33 is the percentage of non-workaholics who say they don't have time for fun any more
Source: Statistics Canada, 2007

How is it that this eleven year old was able to shake my world and make it better at the same time? The Law of Attraction, in its perfection, brought a teacher into my world exactly when I was ready to listen and take action. There is a distinct difference between becoming a master of my work and becoming a workaholic. I decided to do an internal check on my world and found out that over the years my world had shrunk. My centers of influence were fewer and the diversity of activities were at best, minimal. My associations were extremely limited and my focus was almost totally work oriented. I believe an “and” conversation can occur. I’m going to expand my centers of influence and improve my work. I’m going to continue to adjust my time to include more play, more hobbies, more exercise and a still be more effective at work. (Since switching to RE/MAX I have made a huge shift here already,2 holidays, weekends mostly at home gardening.) I’m moving forward on the pathway of the former rather than the latter.

How about you? Are you a Master of your Profession or a Workaholic?

Have a wonderful week!

Deb
PS. Education and Social Calendars will be out next week for the balance of the year. RE/MAX jerseys orders will be available next week and anyone with thoughts of attending the RE/MAX Canadian Convention in Banff this November there will be a sign up sheet so I can put hotel rooms on hold before they are sold out. You are the BEST! Thank-you for being part of my world!