Copyright © 2023 Kenneth Robert O’Neal. All Rights Reserved.
Work is NOT a dirty word
Labor Day 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt stated, “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing”. Work is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling activities a woman or man can perform in their life. The attitude and the mindset you hold toward your work is paramount. The formula for calculating your Personal Performance is “Attitude x Skill x Effort equals Performance or Productivity”. Attitude is the most important of the three components. You will spend the majority of your life at work. Your work is your calling in life. This comes from the Latin root word vocation meaning “to call”. You can approach each work day with energy and enthusiasm or you can answer the opportunity clock with a grudge against time. Your attitude determines whether you enjoy or dislike your job. Find a position you love to do every day, whatever it might be and perform each day to the best of your ability. There is purpose and meaning no matter the job or the calling. Jimmy Buffett of Margaritaville fame has a song titled, “It’s My Job”. One of the verses states, “It’s my job to be better than the rest, and that makes the day for me”. There is meaning in all walks of life. Whatever your work may be, there is always value and worth to a well-done job. I have heard it said, “work for a dream and not a paycheck”.
Work ethic is a set of moral principles an employee uses in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. A strong work ethic allows you to train and develop personally so that smart intelligent work becomes natural. The following good work habits will impress most employers:
1) Focus on duties until completed
2) Be punctual
3) Be professional in attitude and values
4) Create a healthy work life balance
Several years ago, a California radio talk show host compiled a survey of his listeners regarding job satisfaction. The host stated he was surprised to discover 80 percent of the respondents were dissatisfied with their job. Some replies were very negative with words like “resent and dreaded going to work”. Can you imagine the low level of job production? In my research I have five top qualities the workers of today want in a job.
1. Respect from coworkers and management
2. Engaging work
3. Recognition for good work
4. Training for self-development
5. Listening management
Notice that money and benefits are not in the top five.