Many people confuse high performance with workaholism. Both are synonyms for hard work but with different results: while high performers work hard but in a healthy way and their work brings them satisfaction, workaholics work unhealthily without any satisfaction and approaching burnout. Jullien Gordon, who refers to himself as a recovering workaholic, wrote a very apt article on this topic on the LinkedIn website.
"Over the past year, I have been reading, researching, and conducting experiments on myself to understand the difference between high performers and workaholics. I believe that there are healthier ways for us to work without sacrificing our values, the people we value," says Gordon, who applies the experience gained in his own training practice. He describes the fundamental differences between workaholics and high-performing workers as summarised below.
1. Results
The aim of workaholics is to be constantly busy. They always need to be doing something in order to feel important. High performers focus on the results of their work: if they currently have no specific task to perform, they relax or create strategic plans.
2. Success
Workaholics are never successful, never good enough, never have enough time or support. They want more as they do not know what is enough. High performers know what it is to be good enough: whether they win by one point or fifty, it is still a victory.
3. Right time
Workaholics constantly work at 110%. They cannot set priorities; everything is equally important to them. High performers, on the contrary, know when to work flat out and when to slow down. They know it is impossible to operate continuously at 110%.
4. Self-awareness
Workaholics rely on the evaluation of those around them and constantly worry about good ratings. High performers know their own value, which gives them some freedom at work. They themselves evaluate how they are doing and what should be improved.
5. Time management
Workaholics let others manage their work with unexpected distractions, e-mails, etc. High performers manage their time proactively: they plan the most important tasks for the morning in order to have some free time for possible distractions in the afternoon.
6. Best efforts
Workaholics concentrate on things beyond their control. They do not realise it is not always possible to achieve a general concept of success. High performers, on the other hand, do the best they can. They evaluate themselves depending on whether they feel they have done the maximum.
7. Self-care
Workaholics prefers others to themselves, which leads to gradual exhaustion. High performers look after themselves in first place. It may sound selfish but it is not: by taking care of themselves, they can better serve others.
"Workaholics do work to look important while high performers look for important work to do," concludes Jullien Gordon.
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