The Artist's Way

to set a bottom line. Each person’s bottom line is different
but should specifically mention those behaviors known to
be off-limits. These specific behaviors make for more
immediate recovery than a vague, generic resolve to do
better.
If you really have no time, you need to make some room.
It is more likely, however, that you have the time and are
misspending it. Your time log will help you find those areas
where you need to create boundaries. Boundary is another
way to say bottom line.) “Bottom line, I will not ___.”
That is your boundary. See Setting a Bottom Line in this
week’s list of tasks.)
As with creative U-turns, recovery from workaholism
may require that we enlist the help of our friends. Tell them
what you are trying to accomplish. Ask them to remind you
gently when you have strayed off your self-care course.
(This will backfire if you enlist the help of people who are
active workaholics themselves or who are so controlling that
they will overcontrol you.) Bear in mind, however, that this
is your problem. No one can police you into recovery. But
in some parts of the country Workaholics Anonymous
meetings are springing up, and these may help you
enormously.
One very simple but effective way to check your own
recovery progress is to post a sign in your work area. Also
post this sign wherever you will read it: one on the
bathroom mirror and one on the refrigerator, one on the
nightstand, one in the car.... The sign reads: