Here are the early warning signs you could be a workaholic: 

You're first to arrive...and last to leave: Are you the first person to arrive at the office in the morning? This isn't in itself a bad thing – but if you're also the one also switching off the lights at night, there may be a problem.

You have no hobbies or interests: When was the last time you took part in some sort of activity you enjoy outside of work? Some people spend every waking hour performing employment duties – or when they're not actually working, they're thinking about it.

You're constantly stressed: Sometimes a little stress at work is not a bad thing – it ensures professionals are motivated to complete projects and meet important deadlines. But if you find yourself in a constant state of worry – even when you're not at work – this can become a problem.

You never take a lunch break: If you find you've never got the time to take a proper lunch break, ask yourself – is this a voluntary or involuntary decision? 

You check your emails every five minutes: There's nothing wrong with a regular check of your inbox while you're at work – it's important to keep on top of your emails. But once you head home for the evening, it's a different matter. 

You get impatient with everyone: It could be the employee who leaves early every Friday or the parent who wants to reduce their hours – do you get frustrated with colleagues who seemingly work fewer hours than you do?

You have one topic of conversation: You don't know what's happening in the news, what the result of Friday night’s footy game was, or even who the prime minister is these days. If it's not work-related, it isn't worth discussing.

Three tips to avoid becoming a workaholic

Time management: Time is one of your most important resources. We're paid for it, so it makes sense to spend it wisely. This might mean declining non-essential meetings or dedicating time in your calendar to accomplishing one task.

Delegation: Learning how to delegate is the yin to time management's yang. In other words, you will have more time if you know how to delegate tasks as appropriate. To start, know what requires your expertise and what doesn't. Understand your team's strengths and make good use of them. Finally, be honest about what you can take on. Be willing to say no or ask for help.

Clear boundaries: Business fluctuates, and there will be times when you have to stay late, work a Saturday or return an email in the wee hours. But don’t make this a habit. Remember why you're working in the first place: to support yourself or your family, and to feel fulfilled, empowered or professionally satisfied.