The pros and cons of being a workaholic
A workaholic I am not. I don’t understand those who are, and, furthermore, I don’t understand those who brag about it. I probably have a different definition of the word, however. I personally believe that it’s a diagnosis, while most self-proclaimed workaholics are just trying to describe their passion for their work. Assuming it is the latter, there are some pros and cons to being so dedicated.
- Pro: The office workaholic is the boss’s go to guy or gal. He knows he can count on you, and you take pride in knowing that he does.
- Con: You are irreplaceable. This sounds good at first, until you realize that you will never be replaced. You could work yourself right into a situation where it is almost impossible to promote you within the company.
- Pro: Your passion for your job has you abreast of all projects. You know a little bit about everything.
- Con: You know a little bit about everything, and not a whole lot about any one thing. In other words, you have too many irons in the fire; you’re a jack of all trades, master at none; a todo le tiras, y a nada le pegas.
- Pro: Hopefully, you are doing what you love to do, and the fact that you get paid for it is just a perk. You work overtime and embrace it. You take things home. You have a certain sense of pride in your accomplishments and status. And, you are banking!
- Con: If you work for the government, the state, the military, the school system, etc., congratulations, you workaholic you. Sorry about the paycheck.
- Pro: You are the office expert. The one that people depend on in a bind; the one they can count on. People admire your work ethic.
- Con: People depend on you in a bind. Like when the play-offs are on.
Being a workaholic is a position in the workforce that is both glorified and criticized, and it is because of the aforementioned advantages and disadvantages that it garners both reactions to the very word “workaholic.”
Kristyl Barron holds a BA in English Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MHR in Counseling/Organizational Management from the University of Oklahoma. Barron has been writing professionally since 2008, and projects include a memoir entitled Give Your Brother Back His Barbie and an in progress motivational book called Aspies Among Us.