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How To Tell If Work Has Taken Over Your Life
You may be thinking that your life needs more balance, more time spent at home or with friends and less time spent at
work. Perhaps you’ve even mentioned this to your spouse, girlfriend, best buddy, doctor or co-workers. Some of your
friends or family members may have been sympathetic while others may compare their life and activities to yours, telling
you that “this is the way it is today in the real world.”
Yet, there is that nagging doubt. That feeling that you shouldn’t always be so stressed, so tired, so short on time,
coupled with the knowledge that you can’t seem to think clearly anymore, that you forget important appointments, family
birthdays and that you rarely eat dinner before 9:00 p.m.
It’s important to listen to your own intuition and take control of your life before you have no OTHER life than what
exists in the workplace.
If you still need convincing, or perhaps some more objective feedback, try this little quiz:
# Question True False
1. I am spending more time than ever at work and on work-related projects and activities.
2. I usually feel that I’ve run out of time at the end of the day, and I worry about all the things that did not get
done.
3. I don’t have any time for myself, my family or my friends.
4. I don’t get to visit with, or talk to, my family and friends very often.
5. Social meetings always seem rushed and I find myself thinking about what I have to get done, and how I
should be elsewhere, instead of enjoying the time with my family or friends.
6. On most days, every minute of every waking hour is scheduled with an activity, or I have something
urgent to accomplish.
7. I’m not sure who I am anymore, and I often wonder why I chose this job or this career.
8. It is hard to recall my last vacation day or day off, or the last time I just sat and read a book or relaxed.
9. I don’t have much fun anymore and I rarely do something just because I want to do it or because I think
it will be pleasurable or fun.
10. I feel stressed out much of the time and I find myself losing patience easily.
11. It is sometimes hard to sleep at night and to unwind at the end of the day.
12. My life is a blur. I feel like I have to keep moving from one thing to the next with no time to catch my breath.
13. When I do sit down to read a book for pleasure, or to watch a movie, or TV, I find my mind wandering back
to work-related subjects, or I fall asleep from exhaustion.
14. I want more time for entertainment, hobbies and activities, but I never seem to get it.
15. I often have to postpone social engagements, doctor’s appointments or other personal things, or I am often
late to these appointments.
16. I am usually very tired in the morning when I arrive for work and, even after the weekend, I feel exhausted.
17. It is hard to find the time to help my children with homework, talk to my spouse or friend about their day or
just sit and write out checks.
18. People depend on my income, but they also expect me to be there for important dates like birthdays and
soccer games, and I feel torn and misunderstood, much of the time.
19. I almost always bring some work home at the end of the day, and/or I nearly always work for part of the
weekend, or on my days off.
If you answered ‘True’ to less than five of these questions, you are not overworked and your life is in good balance.
If you answered ‘True’ to more than eight of these questions, your life is seriously out of balance and steps are needed to
re-balance your life. If you answered ‘True’ to more than twelve of these questions, you should consider starting a
program immediately to regain control over your life, before stress and overwork damage your health and your
relationships.
| Note: This article is for informational purposes only. If you are in need of mental health services, please contact a provider in your community. © 2008 Family Recovery Resources All Rights Reserved |
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