星期五晚上，Jason和Wanda劝同事Larry不要老加班，应该劳逸结合。Larry却说，手头总有做不完的工作。
L: But I feel like I'm wasting time if I go home and watch TV...even if I'm reading a good book I still feel like I should be working!
J: You know Larry; you might be addicted to work.
L: Really? A person can get addicted to work?
J: Well, maybe it's not the same as being addicted to drugs, but many people believe you can get addicted to stress.
W: Yeah. If you find that you can't enjoy being at home and relaxing, it might be a problem.
Larry说，如果回家去看电视、读书，就会觉得自己是在浪费时间。Jason和Wanda都觉得，他简直是个工作狂addicted to work。原来，除了毒品会让人上瘾，addicted to drugs, 工作和疲劳同样会让人上瘾，addicted to work and addicted to stress. Larry继续说：
L: I guess I am a bit of a perfectionist. It irritates me when things aren't perfect.
J: Maybe you are too hard on yourself. If you were your own boss, would you demand such long hours?
L: No way...I think it would be illegal anyway.
J: Well then maybe you need to treat yourself better. You have to believe that you deserve to relax!
W: You not only deserve it, you need it. You know, I find that sometimes I have my best ideas in the strangest places.
The last time I had a really great idea, I was scuba diving on vacation!
Larry说自己的问题可能是过于追求完美。 Perfection意思是完美，后面加上-ist, perfectionist就是追求、崇尚完美的人。Jason说Larry对自己过于严格too hard on yourself，应该对自己好一些，treat yourself better.
L: But I want the boss to notice my devotion! The economy is not great these days and I don't want to get laid off!
W: Yeah, that's true. Some bosses do think the guy who puts in overtime is the most loyal. But smart bosses know that quantity is not as important as quality.
J: Besides, this is your job, not your life. You're too young to die of a heart attack!
L: Thanks guys! Your advice makes sense. I'm going to go home and have a nice long bath! See you on Monday!
Larry说，自己加班也是为了让老板注意到自己的敬业精神，my devotion. Devotion is spelled d-e-v-o-t-i-o-n, devotion. Wanda却说，聪明的老板都知道，工作数量的重要性远远赶不上质量。Quantity is not as important as quality. 再说了，按Jason的话说，This is your job, not your life. 这毕竟是你的工作，不是你生活的全部。Larry最后终于想通了，决定回家去，好好洗个热水澡。 |