How to Be a Workaholic Without Killing Oneself

Workaholics are addicted to their work. They do not necessarily enjoy working, but feel compelled to do it, often because of low self-esteem. The word "workaholic" was coined by Richard Evans, a professor of psychology at University of Houston, in the 1960s.

Instructions

1. Sleep for at least 7 hours every night. A workaholic might be tempted to sleep less in order to have more time for work. To perform at 100%, you need a full night's sleep. Avoiding sleep to get work done will also lead to health problems.

2. Take a 20- to 30-minute power nap in the middle of the day. This is a great way to re-energize and maintain top performance at work.

3. Maintain a regular exercise routine. Exercise will keep your body in shape, relieve stress and tension and help your mind to relax.

4. Eat a balanced diet. Even though it might be quicker to grab a burger and fries for lunch every day, eat balanced meals to stay healthy and have the stamina to keep working long work days.

5. Make a list each morning of things to do. Put the most important things at the top of the list and the least important down at the bottom. Having a visual list of tasks helps you to move more smoothly from one to the next without wasting time. Accept the fact that not everything on the list can get done and focus on the most important items.

6. Recognize your own limitations and say no to requests that put you over them.

7. Schedule time for family, friends and social activities. Understand that those times are just as important as your work. Do not let work interfere with social events, even if it means turning off the cell phone and ignoring email.