The Dangers of Workaholism and Social Entrepreneurship

While the great majority of business owners are not embezzling funds and ripping off customers, they do face other problems. “Workaholism” is a serious problem and entrepreneurs are especially vulnerable.

Although counterintuitive at first, I have been warned not to work too hard. Meaning, do not become an overworked careerist, one who abuses time and loses their sense of identity. Being so tightly bound to the working process, the proletariat cuts off circulation to all non-work activities. They push away family, friends, and favorite activities. Instead, I can create a routine that sets aside time for family, friends, silence, reflection, and service. This organization lends to a wholesome lifestyle that will hopefully keep me healthy and only enhance my work. As I have learned, work only becomes perfected in the perfection of leisure.

I used to think of leisure purely in terms of rest and relaxation—taking a nap beside the pool in picturesque Scottsdale, AZ. To my surprise, leisure is much more than rest—it encompasses all meaningful activity that is not work. True leisure is the path to wholeness and purpose. The integration of work and true leisure is vital to the success of the entrepreneur. Success, as it so happens, is not measured in terms of wealth maximization. In short, leisure is not rest and profit is not the priority.

Social entrepreneurs know this and live by it. Yet, social entrepreneurship is a prickly word. It is truly inspiring to see the good brought about by non-profits and strictly “social” entrepreneurial ventures. At the same time—I have seen, heard, and experienced countless “goods” brought about by traditional for-profit ventures. These goods extend beyond dollars donated or hours spend volunteering. The inherent goodness in providing jobs and high quality goods and services are also meaningful contributions. There is a serious danger in separating the terms ‘social entrepreneurship’ and ‘entrepreneurship;’ in comparison, far too many people attach a stigma to traditional entrepreneurship. They view it as a financially-driven enterprise that will sacrifice morals for money any day.

I can take this poor reputation and complain about it. Or, I can use it as fuel to prove the opposite is true through my actions. By practicing good trading, fostering good relationships with all shareholders, and serving the greater good, my actions will become habits. As the moral ecology of virtue states, these habits will become character and character will become destiny.

I had never considered actively incorporating Christianity or my deep personal beliefs into my work and the culture of my future company. After learning about businesses that chose to incorporate religious values, I can see the profound impact it can have on company values, culture, and even longevity. I can see that, although counter-cultural, incorporating certain values into the workplace is very valuable—often it prevents harm before it starts. These values will reflect employee habits, which build character and strengthen the company as a whole. Just as we can change the world through work, our work changes us.

I know what I believe in (even if it takes significant effort to write out), and I should hold tight to these beliefs and communicate them in everyday actions. Every so often it is helpful to step back and ask, “What does it mean to be a good entrepreneur?” “What am I working for?” “What am I resting in?” and “What do I believe in?”