7.Identify critical challenges. Develop a plan that shows way you will address your most critical challenges and time frames that you expect completion. Share this with your boss.

8.Complete a project. Select at least one visible project to be completed within your first 60 days in job.

9.Take care of yourself. Create a schedule for yourself that includes time off and good self-care. Changing jobs is stressful so include activities that you know reduce stress for you i.e. proper rest, exercise, good diet, family time etc.

10.Celebrate your success! Feel good about what you have accomplished. Confidence is an important part of your success in your job

“That’s a pity. Being a workaholic means missing out on a lot of life.”

“That’s true, but it’s not just city folk who miss their kids growing up or are too busy working to help their wives clean dishes.”

I took hint and picked up a drying cloth. “You mean that anyone can get caught up in work, and lose sight of what’s really important? Even farmers, moat diggers and guy who sorts through trash at dump looking for tastiest morsels to throw to gulls?”

“I suppose so,” she answered with that what-have-you-been-smoking look on her face. "Why not try to see if workaholic redneck jokes work?"

“Well, if you look forward to Christmas this year, because you might take afternoon off from tilling land, you might be a workaholic redneck.”

“That’s spirit,” she encouraged.

I tried another, “If you’re drinking your morning coffee from a dirty mason jar from yesterday, you might be a workaholic redneck.”

“Very good,” she praised.

“If you stick family pictures to your backhoe window to remind you what they look like, you might be a workaholic redneck.”

“Why not try one more, just to make sure?” my wife suggested.

“OK, if you bring your work with you to your son’s baseball game, you might be a workaholic redneck.”

“Uh, OK…” she began.

“And if nobody complains about smell, you might live in a town full of workaholic rednecks!”

"You got it!" she shouted.

I realized that I had spent way too much time talking about workaholic redneck jokes. There was only one thing I could do to compensate.

I tossed aside drying cloth, grabbed my lap-top computer and rushed to outhouse to catch up on a few hundred urgent emails.