What have you sacrificed for your job? Enter our contest for workaholics

by Lisa Kiava | Jan 19, 2001 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Lisa Kiava

Takeaway: Have you missed out on so many weekend activities that you've stopped counting? Do you often catch the sunrise on the way home from work? Enter our contest for workaholics!

In a recent TechRepublic survey, more than 70 percent of respondents said they have cut their vacation short because of problems at work.

Missed vacation days aren’t the only sacrifices IT professionals make for their jobs. Intense competition in just about every industry, along with the critical shortage of IT workers, are among the factors that require IT professionals to make extraordinary personal sacrifices for their work.

While we can’t give you back your vacation days, we can make your sacrifice a little less painful. TechRepublic would like to reward IT professionals who have gone beyond the call of duty. Enter the “Workaholics contest” and tell us how you’ve sacrificed for your job. We’ll select the Top 10 stories and award prizes to the TechRepublic members who submitted them.

Were you soaking up the sunshine on the deck of a cruise ship when a message on your Blackberry ruined the trip? Have you sublet your apartment because you really don’t live there anymore? Describe your sacrifice in a few brief sentences.

There are certainly some people who willingly choose to work long hours because of their work ethic or their desire for career advancement. Voluntary workaholics are eligible to enter this contest as well as IT professionals who work too much because it’s required of them.

Unfortunately, we know that overworking can lead to some serious personal consequences. For example, job stress can be detrimental to your health. One TechRepublic member who works as an IT consultant said his travel schedule nearly destroyed his marriage. Another IT manager told us he frequently sleeps at the office in order to catch up on his overwhelming workload. By sharing information about career challenges, it is hoped TechRepublic members will also learn strategies about coping with their demanding jobs.
Tell us about the worst-case scenario. When have you put your life on hold because you had to solve a crisis on the job? To enter the contest, please send us a brief e-mail. Be sure to include your e-mail address so we can contact you if you are a contest winner. (Your name and address will remain confidential if you request it.)
In a recent TechRepublic survey, more than 70 percent of respondents said they have cut their vacation short because of problems at work.

Missed vacation days aren’t the only sacrifices IT professionals make for their jobs. Intense competition in just about every industry, along with the critical shortage of IT workers, are among the factors that require IT professionals to make extraordinary personal sacrifices for their work.

While we can’t give you back your vacation days, we can make your sacrifice a little less painful. TechRepublic would like to reward IT professionals who have gone beyond the call of duty. Enter the “Workaholics contest” and tell us how you’ve sacrificed for your job. We’ll select the Top 10 stories and award prizes to the TechRepublic members who submitted them.

Were you soaking up the sunshine on the deck of a cruise ship when a message on your Blackberry ruined the trip? Have you sublet your apartment because you really don’t live there anymore? Describe your sacrifice in a few brief sentences.

There are certainly some people who willingly choose to work long hours because of their work ethic or their desire for career advancement. Voluntary workaholics are eligible to enter this contest as well as IT professionals who work too much because it’s required of them.

Unfortunately, we know that overworking can lead to some serious personal consequences. For example, job stress can be detrimental to your health. One TechRepublic member who works as an IT consultant said his travel schedule nearly destroyed his marriage. Another IT manager told us he frequently sleeps at the office in order to catch up on his overwhelming workload. By sharing information about career challenges, it is hoped TechRepublic members will also learn strategies about coping with their demanding jobs.
Tell us about the worst-case scenario. When have you put your life on hold because you had to solve a crisis on the job? To enter the contest, please send us a brief e-mail. Be sure to include your e-mail address so we can contact you if you are a contest winner. (Your name and address will remain confidential if you request it.)

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Be commited, but don't be stupid Ploppy | 01/18/01

What a tragic story, rhonda502@... | 01/19/01

A Piece of Folk Knowledge d_dubya_skinner@... | 01/19/01

Losing Dignity theq@... | 01/20/01

yes... and the credit card trap also r.e.earl@... | 01/22/01

Don?t overreact in job Claudia Ximena | 01/23/01

You are so right falconsoftware@... | 02/13/01

good advice! schmidtamylee@... | 02/13/01

I used to be that way... White Wolf | 01/19/01

Let's face it - IT work is never ending! hcontrex | 01/22/01

think semi-retirement travl@... | 02/13/01

Full In-basket Bill Cromwell | 01/19/01

ROTFL! eastvan | 01/19/01

Should Be A Bumper Sticker!! TX Chaplain | 01/20/01

Remember - Everyone's Replaceable... Peter Bate | 01/19/01

If you are irreplaceable... dmanning | 01/23/01

everyone is replaceable Lei | 01/23/01

Money and Fame ain't everything eh! eastvan | 01/19/01

In fact, they're not even close The Chad | 01/20/01

Live, Love, And Laugh richbcc@... | 01/22/01

For what it's worth uisceboo@... | 01/19/01

Work will be fun tomtech | 01/20/01

Below your means edward.mcknight@... | 01/20/01

Is it worth it? taylorst@... | 01/21/01

Hate Stories like that stephenmorison@... | 01/21/01

Work and enjoy..else leave it psreevalsan@... | 01/21/01

Sometimes too late! leh | 01/22/01

This is TechRepublic Whining section? Gicu Artistu' | 01/22/01

I've seen your colleague on the road. uncle_alien | 01/22/01

The sad thing is... stuartcr | 01/23/01

Work Pressures nonsuch | 01/28/01

Family and Friends first kenway_lee@... | 02/12/01

physical aspects of working too much schmidtamylee@... | 02/12/01

Definition of admirable dognoyler | 02/13/01

too committed frostygal | 02/13/01

Load Balancing and Stress Management nacht@... | 02/15/01

A book that really helped me... schmidtamylee@... | 02/16/01

MI TX Chaplain | 12/30/05

Some New Contest Ideas Packratt | 01/20/01

Is it all really worth it... jcitron@... | 01/21/01

Almost burned out !! szielinski@... | 01/22/01

Another broken marriage saved ! ArthurP | 01/22/01

Life is too short! pantherjim@... | 02/07/01

Don't expect the company to care mjhammer | 02/07/01

Working for workaholics srs_tech | 02/12/01

Family - not employers - come first Schadeboy | 02/12/01

Saying NO BobRouseAtl | 02/12/01

Can't work 24/7 reigna@... | 02/12/01

I agree Family then Work ray k | 02/12/01

ALMOST DIE MY GUT IT HURTS jmorrow@... | 02/13/01

Gut hurts? TX Chaplain | 06/08/01

UN-Knowledgable Leadership dclausson@... | 04/09/01

WOAH stephenmorison@... | 04/16/01