Robot Workaholics slide into a pattern of long hours and obsession about work without realizing what's happened. The pattern may begin out of necessity or as a temporary plan, but then continues until they stop noticing how deeply enmeshed they've become. Inefficient Workaholics are disorganized or work slowly and so need extra hours to get the job done. The problem is that working long hours creates fatigue, which increases inefficiency. The more inefficient they become, the more hours they need to get the job done, creating a vicious cycle.
Work can be a very seductive escape because it looks like dedication rather than evasion.
The first step is to identify the problem. The next step is to find a solution. It may require changing your job or line of work. But more likely it will involve redefining your life so that work is put in perspective, allowing you to reclaim other activities and relationships that you've been neglecting. There's a big payoff from putting things back in balance.