Confessions of Workaholics

For Brian Kurth, a six- or even seven-day workweek is nothing unusual. In fact it's the norm for the 41-year-old business owner, who also admits he doesn't get much sleep. "I'm usually up until midnight, and back up at 5 a.m.," says Kurth, owner of Portland, Oregon-based VocationVacations--a company that allows people to test-drive dream jobs. "But it's not work if you love it."

That's the mentality shared by many entrepreneurs eager to grow and build their small businesses. It makes sense when you consider that entrepreneurs, by nature, are hard workers. That's not a bad personality trait to have, but unchecked it can consume entrepreneurs. When that happens, a reliable, hard worker can slowly morph into a burnt-out workaholic.

Kurth learned this lesson the hard way. He broke up with his partner at a point in his career when he was juggling his new business, writing a book and trying to maintain a relationship.

"Something had to give," he says. "But I'm not willing to be a workaholic at the expense of being single the rest of my life. It's important to find that balance in life."

Though the word workaholic tends to have a negative connotation due to the health and social implications associated with it, some entrepreneurs insist it's a lifestyle that works for them. "I absolutely love what I'm doing," says Scott Badger, 37, founder and president of KPI Direct, based in Portland, Maine. "I have no regrets."

Relinquishing control of duties is a necessity for many entrepreneurs striving to find work/life balance. For Kurth, it's all about setting rules and sticking to them. "The minute [my workaholism] impacts family or friends in a negative way, I draw the line."

Rhodes and Badger have been finding that balance. Rhodes made the first move by relocating her business out of her home and into an office space.

"I needed to separate my business from my life," she says.

If any of the stories above sound familiar, consider getting some help--as difficult as that may be. "Most Type A people don't get any help until after experiencing their second heart attack," Singer says.

Singer, aka "Dr. Jack," is the president and CEO of Psychologically Speaking, based in Laguna Hills, California. Singer coaches local entrepreneurs and high-powered CEOs, and provides phone therapy for out-of-towners seeking help. 

To find out if you're exhibiting workaholic traits, look at the checklist below. "The more items that apply to you, the greater the chance you fall into this workaholic/Type A syndrome," Singer says. If you do find yourself checking off multiple symptoms, Singer recommends you seek help to avoid potential burn-out.

<insert html here>Workaholic (Type A) Checklist
1. Extreme competitiveness
2. Rapid speech
3. Impatience
4. Hates lines and waiting
5. Difficulty delegating
6. Fear of failure
7. Need to be in control
8. Irritable
9. Multi-tasking
10. Resistant to change

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