Ernz P.

Cabanting
GED 111 Understanding the Self

Dealing with a workaholic mindset, especially when it stems from a desire to provide for
loved ones like parents, can be challenging. It's important to address the underlying issues
of self-worth and financial responsibility while promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Here are several suggestions, some of which I'm presently implementing and others I'm
working towards, that I think could be valuable in this particular context:

Reevaluate Your Definition of Success:

Encourage yourself to reassess your definition of success. Emphasize that financial

success is just one aspect of a fulfilling life. Recognize and appreciate your achievements
beyond monetary gains, such as personal growth and the impact you have on your
family's well-being. If not properly emphasized, this tip could lead you to perceive
yourself as morally superior to those who prioritize financial success, potentially
fostering conceit. Encourage yourself to expand your definition of success beyond
financial achievements, emphasizing personal growth and meaningful relationships as
equally valuable to you.
Debevoise, N. D. (2020). Have Your All: Redefining Success For Yourself.

Communicate Openly with Parents:

Encourage open and honest communication with your parents. Often, parents may be
content with less financial support if they understand your emotional and physical well-
being is at risk due to overworking. Help both you and your parents discuss your
concerns and expectations.
Zolten, K., & Long, N. (1997). Parent/Child Communication.

Set Realistic Financial Goals:

Assist yourself in setting practical and achievable financial goals. Breaking down these
goals into manageable steps can make them less overwhelming. This approach can help
you see progress and improve your self-esteem. Overemphasis on individual
achievement, even if it is realistic, may inadvertently encourage a sense of superiority
over others who may have different goals or circumstances. Assist yourself in setting
financial goals that balance your personal needs with familial responsibilities. Encourage
regular reassessment to ensure they are achievable without excessive stress.
Garg, A. (2023). The Power of Setting Long-Term Goals for Business and Life Success.

Seek Professional Advice:

Suggest seeking advice from a financial advisor or counselor who can provide guidance
on managing finances effectively. A professional can help create a realistic financial plan
that addresses both your goals and your parents' needs. If not approached with humility,
seeking professional advice could lead to an attitude of arrogance, believing that one
knows better than others due to their financial planning. Suggest seeking guidance from
financial advisors or counselors to develop a balanced financial plan that aligns with both
your personal aspirations and familial support without overextending yourself.
Moreland, K. (2018). Seeking Financial Advice and Other Desirable Financial Behaviors.

Prioritize Self-Care:

Encourage a balanced approach to life that includes self-care, rest, and maintaining
physical and emotional health. Understand that you can better support your parents when
you are mentally and physically well. Excessive focus on self-care without considering
familial responsibilities may lead to narcissism, where self-indulgence becomes the
primary concern at the expense of others' needs. Emphasize that self-care is essential not
just for your well-being but also to ensure you can continue to support your family
effectively in the long term.
Lawler, M. (2023). What Is Self-Care, and Why Is It So Important for Your Health?

Develop Non-Monetary Support:

Explore ways to provide support to your parents beyond financial means. Acts of
kindness, spending quality time, or helping with tasks can contribute significantly to your
parents' well-being.
https://www.varietyfun.com/blogs/vfblog/respect-your-parents-day

Challenge Negative Self-Perceptions:

Work with yourself to challenge negative self-perceptions regarding your self-worth.

Recognize that your value extends beyond your financial contributions, and self-esteem
should not be solely tied to income. If taken to an extreme, this tip might lead to an
inflated sense of self-worth, where you believe you are superior to those who struggle
with self-esteem. Build a healthier self-esteem by acknowledging your worth beyond
financial capabilities, focusing on your unique qualities, and fostering humility.
Ackerman, C. (2018). What is Self-Worth & How Do We Build it?

Practice Gratitude:

Encourage a practice of gratitude not only for what you have but also for your ability to
support your parents in any way you can. Gratitude can help shift the focus from what's
lacking to what is present. Gratitude, if not balanced with humility, could result in a sense
of entitlement, where you believe you are owed recognition or rewards for your
contributions. Suggest practicing gratitude not only for what you have but also for your
capacity to give back to your family and community, highlighting the importance of
humility.
Millacci, T. (2017). What is Gratitude and Why Is It So Important?
Set Boundaries at Work:

Help yourself establish boundaries at work to prevent burnout. Overworking can harm
your well-being and hinder your ability to support your parents effectively. Promote the
idea that a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term success. Excessively rigid
boundaries at work may lead to a disregard for the needs and demands of others, fostering
narcissistic behavior. Promote the establishment of work-life boundaries not just for
personal well-being but also to ensure you can continue to contribute effectively to both
work and family life.
Wolf, J. (2021). What is work-life balance?

Consider Long-Term Financial Planning:

Discuss with yourself the importance of long-term financial planning, such as savings,
investments, and retirement planning. This can help alleviate the pressure to constantly
work long hours to meet immediate financial needs. If the focus is solely on individual
financial planning without considering the broader impact on family and society, it may
lead to selfishness and narcissism. Encourage long-term financial planning that balances
immediate needs with future goals, demonstrating that responsible planning is a way to
ensure ongoing support to loved ones without overworking.
Manning, L. (2023). What Is a Financial Plan?

It's crucial to address the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt that can arise in such
situations. Encourage yourself to seek support from a therapist or counselor who
specializes in self-esteem and work-related issues. Additionally, remind yourself that your
value to your parents and society as a whole goes beyond your income and that self-
worth should encompass various aspects of life, including relationships, personal growth,
and well-being.