In Defense Of Workaholism

Unless you are willing to drench yourself in your work beyond the capacity of the average man, you are just not cut out for positions at the top.
J.C. PENNEY

Once upon a time, some clever writer decided to combine the words "work" and "alcoholic" into a new term called "workaholic" thus turning a virtue into a vice. The irony of that put down is that workaholic has not degraded work, but work has upgraded workaholic to a term of pride. People brag about being workaholics.

Now, I can admit that there are true workaholics. These are people who live at the office and never go home. Their families suffer. And these people do terrible work preferring activity over production. But to be honest, I've never met anyone with such an affliction. I've met people who worked hard and enjoyed their work. But I have never known anyone who took work to such an absolute extreme. In fact, it makes no sense. It is like saying a person can become an alcoholic from drinking O'Doul's non-alcoholic beer. The rush from work comes from the doing but also the accomplishing. Work without accomplishment is like sex without orgasm.

For most people, a workaholic is someone who enjoys their work. And why not? You are going to spend the bulk of your life doing it. Why not enjoy it? Do something you love and get paid for it. This is the smartest thing I have ever heard.

Workaholism is a lifestyle. To be a workaholic means long hours. It means preferring work over leisure. It means putting a limit on family commitments. This doesn't mean neglecting family. It just means not living under a guilt trip from the spouse who has no problem spending all that dough you make. Tell her to cut back on consumption, so you can cut back on work and see where that gets you.

People in the media say we work too much, but I disagree. We don't work enough. We spend too much time on leisure which requires more money which gets charged to the credit cards. The result is stress and anxiety over how to pay for it. But when you work a great deal, the opposite happens. You consume less on leisure and make more money. This actually lessens anxiety.

Having a good work ethic is a virtue. No one should be ashamed of this. Workaholics produce more, earn more, and deserve their rewards. Yet, the only reward they seek is more work. How can this be a bad thing? In addition, workaholics achieve great things. Their dedication makes the world a better place.

People should be proud to be called workaholics. They should be proud that they aren't dirtbags. They should never be ashamed of getting things done. Here's to workaholics everywhere. Keep up the good work.

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