Working hard or hardly working? How many times have I heard that phrase? We can quite often become bored with repetitive dull work. The duller it is, the less interest we place on a good result. With an end result we are not happy with, but accept because, we feel used and abused. We rail at the injustice in the world. “Why do I have to do this?” “What did I do so wrong to get lumbered with this?” “Why can’t someone else do this?”
Yet over the years, I came to realize that my ability to work hard at a task had hidden benefits. Especially the dull, monotonous, repetitive work that never seemed to end. These benefits slowly dawned on me over time in small digestible “chunks” of self-realisation. My mind slowly started putting together a bigger picture that was of paramount importance to not only my self-worth. But also my life.
The Classic Definition of Work Ethics
Many would struggle to explain exactly “what is work ethics”. Take a moment, and before you read on, sit back for a moment and ponder your own interpretation? Most would simply think working hard, and move on. Was this your answer? Or did you think beyond this?
The classic Wiki definition of Work Ethics is as follows: –
- Work ethicis a belief that hard work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. It is a set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard. Social ingrainment of this value is considered to enhance character through hard work that is respective to an individual’s field of work.
The phrase I love here is “strengthen character and individual abilities”. I can almost see many of you sitting back in your chairs, laughing aloud thinking, “Yea, right”, what a load of bulls**t. We scoff at the idea we are learning anything from picking up the “doggy doo” for the 500th time. Cooking 1,000 meals. Processing 10,000 claims. Laid 100,000 bricks. So what did you learn?
What are your goals?
I think it is safe to agree that we all have goals. Yet have you ever asked yourself how exactly you will achieve those goals? Is someone else going to give them to you? Mana from the heavens? Lottery (only if you are exceptionally lucky!)
Yet sadly, for the most part, none of the above answers applies. They are your goals and by necessity, you have to work at them. These will take abilities that you may not necessarily have (yet).
We are born, we grow up, we learn. Yet often the learning is more of family values. Or educational needs decided by yourself, or someone else. But who is teaching you about your abilities? And how to develop them? Required training of your inner self? Moreover, just what are these so called essential abilities?
Developing your skills and abilities
Some may consider these traits, desires or moral virtues. Let’s dodge the semantics though and just list out the key ones, and why they are great abilities to develop. They are all great outcomes of good work ethics!
1. Discipline – You are training your mind and body, learning to force yourself to do something you dislike. Are your goals easy? Or will they require you doing things you dislike? Will you give up if it’s dull? Alternatively, persevere because you have inner strength to force yourself to do it?
2. Pride – Regardless of what you may think, you will be proud of the result. You will experience a sense of pleasure or satisfaction that the job is done. It’s your achievement.
3. Self Worth – Hand in hand with pride comes building your inner character. Your self-esteem rises and belief in your own value increases.
4. Focus – We learn a new skill, and by repetition, we become better at it. Eventually, we become experts and do it to perfection. By striving for perfection each and every time, we enhance our abilities to being attentive, detailed despite boredom. It is another aspect of becoming a more disciplined person.
5. Reliability – People will be able to count on you, regardless of the task at hand. A very trustworthy person.
6. Needs – Whereas this plays into many of Maslow’s Needs, the part I found most useful was Tier 5 (Cognitive). It makes us more knowledgeable, teaches us meaning. Even if that meaning is that sometimes, work is dull! Nevertheless, as you grow here, so will your self-awareness of how life really works.
7. Strength of purpose – You work because you need to live and earn money. Possibly support a family? In either case, you have a purpose and you are satisfying that purpose. If you are capable of fulfilling your purposes, this enhances your disciplined mind to focus on achieving whatever you set your sights on. You can work harder, at your chosen purposes.
8. Positivism – Life will deal you setbacks. Being able to cope with failure is essential to eventual success. Otherwise, you will quit the first time you fail. Stay positive no matter what!
Affirmation by others
I like quote by great people. Moreover, some of the most sophisticated valuable quotes are by authors who long dead. See for yourself though, what some of the “greats” thought on these abilities.
- Discipline – In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves… self-discipline with all of them came first. ~Harry S Truman~
- Pride – I love what I do. I take great pride in what I do. And I can’t do something halfway, three-quarters, nine-tenths. If I’m going to do something, I go all the way. ~Tom Cruise~
- Focus – Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. ~Alexander Graham Bell~
- Positivism – I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. ~Thomas A. Edison~
Work ethics and Health
You cannot construct a good sword without heat and pressure. Similarly, some pressure and heat at work is good for you as it helps you develop higher tolerances. In other words, it helps you refine and improve even further, your abilities.
However, just like the sword, too much heat or pressure can warp the metal and destroy the temper of the blade. So do not be a glutton for punishment. Sacrificing your mental or physical health to force yourself to stay in a job you detest is not good work ethics. Its borderline insanity.
If you think you are developing and improving your abilities, AND, you are in good mental and physical shape, then persevere. Balance is always the key and you are the only true judge of your own character and health. Only you can really judge when “enough is enough”.
Goals and work ethics
The future is never clear and as the saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20”. You may or may not achieve the goals you set out for yourself. Whether it’s raising a family, or owning a home. Becoming rich and famous, or becoming an expert in your chosen field. A rock star or an athlete.
Nevertheless, one thing is clear and you can take this to the bank! Working towards your goals is going to require abilities that are not normally taught in school, or at home. And like any learned ability, the more you do it, the more proficient you become at it.
Again, health first as I am not advocating working in a meaningless “job for life”. If you feel you have truly enhanced yourself and you are ready for the next challenge, then quit and move on. Just remember that your real worth will be determined by your abilities, morals, and ethics. By improving yourself, you have a better chance on success and reaching your goals. So don’t just give in to your boredom and desire to move on. Take it from one who knows!
- I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self. ~Aristotle~
