Workaholism — is it worth it?
IF YOU see a man walking around looking decidedly distressed, murmuring into a mobile-phone, carrying a black-briefcase/backpack, you would doubtless, conditioned by all those stereotyped `terrorist-profiling', scream for the police. But in all probabilities, he might just be a jolly old `workaholic', with - paradoxically - a pretty low jolly-quotient. But why the unease, why the phone growing out of the ear? Why the new-age Karna-kavacham? The first is because, if you remove a workaholic from his workplace, he droops like a prize Petunia transplanted into the scorching Sahara. He's at his best in front of a moronic monitor or monstrous machine (as the case may be) and simply knows no means of relaxation besides working his whatever off! The phone-graft is to satiate his obsessive-compulsive-disorder, which is to keep in touch with work, 24/7. Lastly, the bag bulges not with bombs, but his blackberry, laptop, wireless-internet-connexions, pen-drives and whatnot... virtually a mobile-office.
But... where's that much-touted `work-life' balance?
Do you really believe all those saccharine-sweet advertisements with smiling shots of employees gracefully swinging a niblick? That they will actually pay you a salary with several seductive zeros to pump iron in a snazzy gymnasium? Get real, for reality reflects a very different picture. Only those who straddle several time zones, conferencing well past the middle-watches, daring to outshine the artic-summer-sun can hope to crawl up the corporate ladder. Of course, they are richly rewarded - with yet another device, preferably GPS enabled, to keep in touch with the company!
Join the club!
Now, there is but a subtle difference between hard-working and workaholic - while the former works pretty hard, he is not exactly tickled pink by the rigorous rigmarole and often baulks at the mounting work-pressure. The workaholic meanwhile feels anything but overburdened by the backbreaking, mind-numbing work. Exhilarated with all the recognition, praise and honour that come his way, he is perhaps the only `addict' who is unabashedly emulated! Regrettably, his tribe is increasing faster than Abou Ben Adam's, and this disturbingly widespread trend has sweeping repercussions. Dramatic as it may sound, it has a telling effect on the home, health and happiness of the employee. And with home, health and happiness gone, what's left? Besides the laptop, that is?
Ways to wiggle out.
The first step, as with any addiction, is to acknowledge that there is indeed a problem. Now, one could save some money, look into the mirror and say `yes, I'm a workaholic' or pay big bucks and say it on a strange couch! The choice, and the money, is of course entirely yours!
Chill-out! It might be a `bad-word' in your dictionary, but it is a great way to `unwind'. Stagger your holidays over the year, and take several short breaks, and DO NOT lug your laptop along! And flush the mobile while at it!
Perfect the art of prioritising, and you will find half the troubles vanishing! Well, 1/5th
Next, take some concrete measures to take the mind off work! For starters one could grab a book; now one could either opt for a three-inch-pillow, filled with powerfully boring psycho-babble, or puerile, pulp-fiction. Logically, anything riveting should do (which means the psycho-babble is out!). If you happen to find those annoyingly amorous romances `gripping', go right ahead, and make a perfect cake of yourself!
Set realistic goals. Do not aim too high, work too hard and burnout too soon.
Workaholism exacts a dreadful price on the body. The BP shoots northwards, while the rest of the body sags southwards. Not a very pretty sight. So, wiggle your toes, shake a limb, and remember to breathe (deeply) in the midst of all that breathless, frenzied work.
Finally, connect. With family, friends and more importantly, other animals. Trust me on this - it will certainly be cathartic. The animals, not the family!
APARNA KARTHIKEYAN
faqs@cnkonline.com
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