Being stably employed is always attractive, but being married to your job practically ensures you won’t be married to anyone else. In fact, 91 percent of singles surveyed by Match.com said they’d rather fall in love with a moderately successful career person who had a balanced life than a successful workaholic with no time for anything else. Are you spending so much time at work and hurting your chances at love? Take this quiz to find out.
- Which tune could be your theme song?
Tote That Barge, Lift That Bale (Score = 1)
You Better Work (Supermodel) (Score = 2)
Man-Size Job (Score = 3)
Whistle While You Work (Score = 4)
Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, It’s Off To Work I Go (Score = -1)
- Under what circumstances would you let work override a date?
Only if there was no chance at overtime pay. (Score = 1)
Let me ask my boss. (Score = 2)
I try to break only a few dates a month. (Score = 3)
Only under extreme conditions. And I’d be sure to send flowers. (Score = 4)
The only date I’ve had recently is with the coffee machine in the employee breakroom. (Score = -1)
- Which movie character would you be most likely to date?
One of the gals from 9 to 5. She’d have it almost as bad as I do. (Score = 1)
The chick from The Secretary. I feel like my boss has me in chains, too.
Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl. With her own big-time career, she won’t complain about mine. (Score = 3)
Katharine Hepburn in Desk Set. She’s smart, witty and a challenging in the best possible way. (Score = 4)
Donna Reed. She wouldn’t grouse about my work and would have dinner ready whenever I got home. (Score = -1)
- Which date are you most likely to remember, your significant other’s birthday or:
Your performance review. (Score = 1)
The boss’ birthday. (Score = 2)
The company picnic. (Score = 3)
Your anniversary. (Score = 4)
The quarterly earnings report. (Score = -1)
- What’s your first thought in the morning?
Back to the salt mines. (Score = 1)
Who will suffer the boss’ wrath today? (Score = 2)
So much work, so little time. (Score = 3)
I think I’ll spend a few more minutes with my sweetie. (Score = 4)
Hmmm, if I slept at the office, I’d save the morning commute time. (Score = -1)
Less than 0
Find a 12-step program, my friend, because you’re a workaholic. Your job is clearly the most important thing in your life. And your personal relationships probably suffer for it. Surely someone of your stature should be able to carve out a little more time to spend with friends and family. Why not give it a try?
0-5
You’re practically an indentured servant—prone to answering your boss’ every beck and call. That leaves precious little time for a personal life, doesn’t it? Look for ways to improve your work situation (like finding a new job, perhaps), or attempt to squeeze more private time out of your life.
6-10
Your supervisor is so overbearing you don’t dare do anything to trip his or her trigger. That makes your job the main focus of your energies, which doesn’t bode well for your relationship. Try standing up to your superiors in a reasonable way so you can get the rest and respect you deserve.
11-15
Sure, you’re important. But are you really that important? Honestly, do you have to spend so much time at work, or is there something else going on? Perhaps you’ve got an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Or maybe you just like being the boss. But unless you’re bootstrapping an entrepreneurial venture (and even then, really), you don’t need to spend every waking hour at work.
16-20
Yes, you love your job. But it’s one of many things that make you the well-rounded man you are. Continue to balance the professional with the personal, and you’ll be a success in every sense of the word.
By Margot Carmichael Lester