Diary of a Reformed Workaholic

By Rich Wellins, Ph.D.

I was a workaholic. Perhaps I still am although I feel I have slightly better perspective than let’s say 10 years ago.

The advent of technology some say means we are all working extra hours with what could best be called addiction to e-mail. In fact, it is estimated that those entering the workforce today will spend 10 years of their life doing e-mail (not all business of course).

On the other hand, I recently took a round trip flight from Pittsburgh to Boston and back. About 50 people were on both flights, most I would assume were on business. Both flights were during normal working hours. I walked down the aisle on the flight to Boston and was struck by the people not working. I love to fly, in part, because I catch up on work. So, the scientist in me (I have a Ph.D. in psychology) decided to do a more formal count by walking the aisles two times on each flight with my own “mental calculator.” 

The results:

• 22% - you guessed it: on-line games or crossword/puzzles
• 16% - reading books: when I was able to see, they were not business books.
• 15% - dead asleep
• 11% - reading, newspapers and magazines – I will give some deference to the fact that reading the Wall Street Journal is work.
• 11% - engaged in conversation with their seat mates (some looked like business chats, others, not work).
• 11% - Actually seemed to be working—computer.
• 9% - Headphones or doing nothing but listening or watching video (I doubt they were business podcasts).
• 5% - In a Zombie-like trance

A nation of workaholics? Perhaps not.

Rich Wellins is senior vice president at Development Dimensions International (DDI).

Comments

[Aaron Ziff]

I love that 2.5 people were in a "zombie-like trance". Great post, Rich!