Workaholic vs. Hard Worker: Which One Are You?

Hard work allows sales records to be broken and will enable dreams to come true. It is what separates the ambitious from the lazy.

Even though hard work often brings great success, many people are unwilling to do the hard work that needs to be done. But on the other end of the spectrum…

What happens when employees and business owners become obsessed with work versus the trying to work a little harder to reach their goals?

One positive takeaway is that the odds say both will become very successful in their industries, but at what costs?

This is an important question that needs to be answered. If you fit one of these two descriptions, it makes sense why you would consider a career in sales.

What are Workaholics?

Workaholics are those who work very hard for long periods, to the point where they become obsessed with their duties while often neglecting their non-work obligations.

For example, they are taking work home during the evening or on weekends to finish up and not paying the proper attention to their spouse or children.

‘Workaholics’ are also those who define themselves based upon their jobs.

They value their jobs very highly and often feel that they will have nothing in life worth living for without them. The best way to explain these individuals is that they often use work as a coping mechanism to deal with their emotions.

What are Hard Workers?

Hard workers are individuals who obviously work hard, but they do not let their jobs define who they are. In other words, they do not have a work addiction. They know the importance of having an outside life.

These individuals understand that sometimes it’s okay to put your job at the bottom of the list to maintain and uphold outside relationships.

They realize that if they neglect their family or friends to work more, it will have a negative effect on their non-work life later down the road.

It’s also worth mentioning that these individuals do not define themselves by what field they are working in.

They may work just as hard as a ‘workaholic,’ but ultimately, they know when and how to turn down/off the switch of working and allow their life outside of work to keep them happy and satisfied.

In other words, a hard worker typically has a better work-life balance than a workaholic and uses their awareness to manage outside relationships.

How are Workaholics Different From Hard Workers?

For the most part, when it comes to the topic of workaholic vs. hard worker, they share very similar characteristics, yet there are still differences.

A significant difference between these two individuals is their social lives outside of work.

Workaholics are those who neglect their social lives in favor of work, while hard workers tend to have more of a healthy balance of their job and other obligations and have better time management.

Another way workaholics differ from hard workers is that they become very stressed about their jobs.

Workaholics often have a negative mindset because it’s all they focus on each day.

For instance, take a ‘workaholic’ and a ‘hard worker.’ Both individuals may be working for the same company, but if one is a workaholic, they will be more stressed out than the ‘hard worker at the same company.

A final point about workaholics and hard workers is that it’s often challenging to separate them from each other when considering their personality traits.

They are often both ambitious and goal-oriented people, making it hard to determine a difference between them.

Am I a Workaholic?

Often, it is difficult for someone to realize that they are becoming addicted to their job.

Do you consistently neglect family and friends to work?

Do you neglect your personal life to focus more on work?

Do you even find yourself dealing with physical ailments that shouldn’t be affecting you at your age?

If you answered yes to these questions, you might be a workaholic.

Other ways of figuring out whether or not you are addicted to your job include checking the time when you get home from work. People addicted to their jobs often will not stop working even when they get home.

Often you can find them either browsing the internet or continuing to work on a project from the office after getting home.

It’s also worth mentioning that individuals who have a hard time separating themselves from their jobs are more likely to display signs of being addicted.

In addition, the number of hours you are working can help determine if you are becoming addicted.

Am I a Hard Worker?

There are many ways to tell if you are a hard worker.

First, it’s important to ask yourself whether or not you take pride in your work.

A hard worker typically takes great pride in their work and wants to do the best job possible.

For instance, let’s say that you and someone else are working on a project.

If that person has an attitude problem or is not interested in their work, it may be difficult to complete the project.

However, if you take pride in your work and want to do the best job possible, it is more likely you will be able to finish the project promptly.

Another way to tell if you are a hard worker is to check the number of hours you work.

Hard workers typically work long hours and take their jobs seriously, which means they may put in more time than most other individuals.

A final sign of whether or not you are a hard worker is the type of work you do.

Hard workers are usually ambitious, goal-oriented people who view their job as their top priority.

How Can I Stop being a Workaholic?

When determining whether or not you are a workaholic, it’s important to acknowledge the signs.

Once you have identified that you are addicted to your job, figure out why you are constantly working.

Is your job stressful? Are you trying to avoid home life in favor of work? If so, try and find ways to separate yourself from work.

When attempting to stop being a workaholic, you need to realize that there is more to life than your job.

There are people who care about you and depend on you, such as friends and family.

If you don’t make time for them, they won’t be able to help when you need it, and there’s a good chance that they will walk out of your life.

Talking to your co-workers, boss, and even HR can help stop you from working more than necessary.

If talking to them is not practical, try looking for another job or taking some time off of work.

Last bit of advice; make a plan and stick to it at work. My partner, Dave, will be the first to admit that he was more in line with a workaholic than a hard worker in the beginning of his career. What helped him change was making a plan and a strategy everyday that he stuck with at work.

Some people have a mind that races a million miles an hour, thinking about new opportunities and ways to make money or improve – constantly. I’ve learned that it’s best to write these ideas down, take a break to shut off your mind for a bit, then get to work later. Otherwise, you’ll start to have a million different thoughts with no where to go – leading to the stress of thinking you need to be constantly working.

How Can I Become a Hard Worker?

Ask yourself what your ambitions are and what you need to do to achieve those goals.

If you don’t feel you are working hard enough to reach those aspirations, try and figure out a way to become more motivated.

You may not be getting a promotion from your boss because they think you work too slowly, which means it’s time for action.

Try setting small goals to motivate yourself to work harder.

For example, if you have a big project, break it down into smaller goals so that you can focus on completing them one at a time.

This way, you will feel more accomplished when you are finished.

If becoming a hard worker is something that you strive for, there are many ways that you can do it and enhance your productivity.

However, once you know your ambitions and how to work hard enough to reach them, nothing can stop you.

How Do I Build Discipline to Work Hard?

One way that people build discipline is to set goals for themselves.

If you want to become a hard worker, it’s essential that you establish a goal and work towards completing it.

Ensure the goal is achievable, so you don’t get discouraged when you don’t reach it right away.

Accomplishing small goals will help you to feel more motivated to work hard.

Another way that people build discipline is by turning their job into a priority instead of an obligation.

If you look at your job as something that has to be done, it will seem like a chore rather than something enjoyable or beneficial.

Take some time to think about why you want to be a hard worker.

Think of some reasons you decided to pursue the career path you are currently on.

For example, if you like the challenge or responsibility associated with your job, focus on those aspects instead of finding parts of it unpleasant.

If becoming a hard worker interests you for the higher aspirations you’ll achieve down the road, set a goal and turn your job into a priority.

Conclusion

In life, balance is what will help sustain happiness. In this case, work-life balance can be attained by allowing yourself to relax and enjoy time with friends and family.

If you find yourself constantly working, it may be time to step away from the job and make some changes.

When figuring out if you are a workaholic or a hard worker, recognize your ambitions and motivations for why you work hard, make a plan, and make it happen.