It is very easy for us to let work consume us. I have listed a few ways to be aware of work consuming you to the point of missing out on finding love or neglecting things that are most important in life.
1) What Has Precedence?
How many times have you heard someone say that they are too busy for something? What that really means is that you and anything outside of what they are doing is not one of their priorities. As harsh as that may seem, it rings true as we get older and our lives become busier. Are you working so hard so that you hide from the rest of your life? If you don’t want to meet a particular date, do you use work as your standby excuse? Of course things will come up at work, but do not let your work or your boss make your decisions when it comes to what is priority in your personal world. There is a balance.
2) Are you a workaholic?
More often than not, we try to fill our schedules so that we don’t have to think about something that is going on in our personal lives. We try to use work and other things to fill voids. The first step is admitting you have a problem. If you are truly a workaholic you’re probably putting aside your friends and potential mates in favor of work. If you are not guilty of this, than you may have just gotten used to working until the job gets done not matter what is at stake. It could also be that you have a demanding boss and equally demanding clients and can’t find enough hours in the day to satisfy them. Once you determine the root of the issue you can work to correct it. If you feel like your boss doesn’t understand maybe you’ll have to get a new job. Not always making yourself available to your boss or clients can sometimes play in your favor.
3) The Married and Entitled
How many times have you been at work and heard your coworker say that they have to leave 45 minutes early because their husband or wife cannot pick up the kids? If a project required working late, the married coworkers would have real, honest-to-goodness obligations – picking up their kids from daycare, have to put dinner on, etc. That basically leaves you at work late. Does this mean that just because you don’t have kids or a spouse, that you don’t have important things going on outside of work? It can be hard to tell employers no when you don’t have to pick up kids from childcare but just really need to get home and do wash. Don’t let this stop you from living your life. You don’t need to give an explanation, you can simply say, “I’m not available.” Your time is just as valuable as the next person’s.
4) Be Attentive
Balancing work and home life is the only way that you can maintain good, solid friendships and relationships. No matter how demanding work is when you are with your date, pay attention. Listen. Acknowledge things they say and respond to them. This is your chance to get to know them and for them to learn who you are.
