Foo - I wish I could be a workaholic

An overachiever, etc. I have a task to do running a final unit through testing. I COULD get it knocked out in a couple of hours and immediately go and start working on the next set, which is more than I was even asked to do, but I don't really feel the drive to do so. I know at least one workaholic overachiever and it's just weird how someone can go and go. I have my projects at home and work and I get things done, but I've seen people that are like an unstoppable force. How do you get that?

Be challenged with your work, see how good you can be and always look to be better, make the job a competition

An overachiever, etc. I have a task to do running a final unit through testing. I COULD get it knocked out in a couple of hours and immediately go and start working on the next set, which is more than I was even asked to do, but I don't really feel the drive to do so. I know at least one workaholic overachiever and it's just weird how someone can go and go. I have my projects at home and work and I get things done, but I've seen people that are like an unstoppable force. How do you get that?

Sacrifice your health and longevity.

That, or (make that and/or) pharmaceuticals.

Care enough.

When you are gone, people won't generally remember what you did.

They will remember how you treated them.

If you really want to forcibly become a workaholic, try working for a unionized company in south east Michigan. It's non stop balls to the wall. People complain in other places about wages being too high here, but things get done much faster.

I was a crazed workaholic for one particular project that took over my life. It was great and hugely productive but after it ended, I had a total vacuum and didn't know what to do with myself, and to an extent I've been dealing with that ever since (like 15 yrs now). Having other claims on my time than just the timesheet definitely clinches that I won't be doing anything like that again.

Even things I care about, I don't find myself being a workaholic. I work professionally, but I don't throw myself into it like a few people I've seen. I think they're the minority extreme to tell the truth.

I am a fully recovered workaholic/over-achiever. Glad I am not anymore. Not worth it. Ever.

It takes all kinds. If you don't have anything to gain, either character-wise or career-wise, why bother? The world would not be a fun place at all if everyone were as intense a person as you are imagining. That's not to say that the world would be a very good place if everyone were not, though . . .

Some workoholics don't need much sleep - they remain healthy on a few hours a night. I know a guy that regularly shows up for work at 3:30 am. Works straight thru til 5 or 6. :eek: He's a natural born ball of energy, that one.

^^ and that ball of energy is going to fizzle out and blow up one of these days.

^ Yes, that's a reasonable assumption, given the limited info you had. Truth is, he is quite healthy - does very well on his checkups. Some people are born to sit behind a desk, others to win the tour. This guy is not overworking for HIS ability. Like I said, genetically, some only need a few hours of sleep and are blessed with that extra bit of energy and enthusiasm for life. He is quite happy and as you might guess, an overachiever. Many years ago a professor commented on people like that - he said they are hard to compete with. When we are sleeping, they're working.

One has to wonder, how successful people would be if they enjoyed their jobs?

In my real profession I over-achieved on a few jobs and it got me:
The overtime no one else would work.
More responsibility because people around me could slow down now,
there was an idiot doing their work for them........ they still got the credit.
Less time with my family and friends.
Less time with my hobbies.
More stress with no compensation.

Under achieving only, here :beer: