Yes, we still live in a hustle culture. Instead of being treated as a necessity, leisure time is considered a luxury. It’s a culture supported by organizations whose employees are rewarded for working around the clock—even at the expense of their well-being. Unfortunately, many people who adopt this mentality run the risk of burnout. According to SHRM’s latest research, 44% of U.S. employees surveyed feel burned out at work, 45% feel “emotionally drained” from their work, and 51% feel “used up” by the end of the workday. So, when does a high performer turn into a workaholic?
On the surface, they look the same. Both employees’ efforts resemble hard work and dedication—but they have stark differences. Here are five questions to help you decide whether you’re a high performer or a workaholic.
What is your mindset?
High performers embrace a growth mindset. They view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow and are open to feedback. High achievers set realistic goals, celebrate small wins and recognize that mistakes are part of the learning process. Workaholics, however, often have a perfectionist mindset. They set unattainable goals for themselves and are usually overly critical of their performance. Workaholics may feel that their self-worth is tied to their professional achievements. If you obsess over every detail and think nothing is good enough, you may exhibit workaholic tendencies.
What drives you at work?
High performers are driven to excel. They focus on producing meaningful work that aligns with their values. Their approach is strategic and focused. Passion and productivity are important to high achievers. According to a McKinsey study, high performers are 400% more productive than average employees. If you’re recruiting, adding a high performer to your team can boost the effectiveness of other team members by up to 15%. Workaholics, on the other hand, fear failure. Instead of focusing on delivering stellar work, they concentrate on staying busy. If you’re a workaholic, you crave external validation based on back-to-back meetings and working nonstop to meet your deadlines. For you, “busy” is a badge of honor.
Does work energize or drain you?
High performers, while they may work long hours, feel energized. They get excited about a new workday and the challenges that lie ahead. High performers are focused and actively remove any unnecessary tasks that aren’t aligned with their strategic goals. Instead of setting healthy boundaries, workaholics engage in insignificant tasks to feel productive. Many workaholics use work as a coping mechanism to avoid negative feelings like low self-esteem or anxiety. If gone unchecked, these individuals run the risk of depression and burnout. Ultimately, they may need professional help to identify the root cause of their behavior so they can refocus and find balance.
Is your work pace sustainable?
A high performer demands ruthless prioritization. They look at their to-do list and make decisions about what’s truly important. They also understand that a task list is a living document where not everything is a top priority. High performers have a good sense of what’s important versus what can wait. Workaholics, on the other hand, view every project as a high priority. They are unable to distinguish between tasks that are “urgent” versus those that are less important. For a workaholic, every project is considered mission-critical.
How do you measure success?
High performers measure success not by hours worked but by the impact they make. They seek new perspectives and balance short- and long-term strategies to achieve exceptional outcomes. In contrast, many organizations reward activities over results. A workaholic measures success by effort and time rather than outcomes. They obsess with work to the point that the quantity of work is more important than the quality of their output. Essentially, workaholics are unable to disconnect from their jobs. If success comes at the expense of relationships and health, you are likely a workaholic.
Workaholism can be easily disguised as drive and passion. But just because you work long hours doesn’t necessarily mean you’re productive. Instead of working hard, focus on working smart. That way, you’ll enjoy better results without burning out along the way.