by Neil Fiore, PhD

To discover if you may be overly focused on simply working while missing out on top priorities and doing the right work, rate yourself on the following 24 statements. Write in the number that best describes the frequency of your behavior:

How true are the following statements for you?

1 –Not at all true;  2 – Somewhat true;  3 – 50-50;  4 – Quite a Bit;  5 – Mostly True

(Please Print This Sheet)

Scoring:

(97 – 120) Make changes immediately! You’re a workaholic. You can learn to focus on top priorities and become much more effective, healthier and have a balanced life. But first, you must commit to having a life beyond the job;

(73 – 96) Change is needed – you can achieve greater satisfaction doing more of the projects that really matter to you and to the bottom line;

(49 – 72) With minimal effort you be even more effective and less distracted;

(24 – 48) EXCELLENT! – Your life is balanced.

Back to More Articles and Tips

* Adapted from Denise Topolnicki, Psychology Today, July, 1989.

Burke, Ronald (2000) Workaholism in organizations: The role of personal beliefs and fears. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 13, 53-64. Schulich School of Business, York U., Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3

Marilyn Machlowitz, Workaholics: Living with Them, Working with Them. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Seybold, K.C. and Salomone, P.R. (1994) Understanding workaholism: A view of causes and counseling approaches. Journal of Counseling and Development, 73, 4-9.

References:

Beverly Potter, Preventing Job Burnout;

Herbert Freudenberger, The High Cost of High Achievement;