Leadercast Blog

The Difference Between Being a Hard Worker and Being Chained to Your Desk

Written by Bryan Robinson, Ph.D. | Jun 1, 2020 12:00:00 AM

In a society where many people work long hours, it’s important to make a distinction between hard workers and workaholics. If you’re a workaholic, you’re likely to be a separatist, preferring to work alone and focusing on the details of the work.

In contrast, if you’re a hard worker, you can see the bigger picture and work cooperatively with others toward common goals. As a workaholic, you’re more apt to look for work to do. But if you’re a hard worker, you enjoy your work, often work long hours and focus on getting the job done efficiently—and you think about and enjoy the job you’re engaged in at the present moment. In contrast, a workaholic mindset drives you to think about working a disproportionate amount of time. Even during social activities or leisure times, your mind wanders and you obsess about your work.