“There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.”
– Henry Ford
Work is a wonderful thing. Besides giving us something to do and a pay check, if gives us a sense of purpose, the feeling of significance, and value as a person. America has seen the effects of lack of work first hand. With unemployment so high and the government, intruding in our lives by entitlements the self-esteem of America is at an all time low. People feel they have little value and are losing hope. When that happens, crime increases, creativity fades away and our standard of living goes way down.
Not only do we need work, we need work that we love. Too many people surrender to taking jobs they hate or are not suited for only to live lives of disappointment. Don’t tell me that there are no jobs. That is not true. You have to find the job you love or create it. No one should be working at a job they are unsuited for or unhappy with. Philosopher, John Dewey said, “To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness.”
I have seen this often in businesses and churches that morale is bad and productivity is low. Business owners and Pastors think they have the wrong people, but it is not the people that are wrong, it is the job. You can have great people but if you have them in the wrong job, you will not get the best from them. Success-Minded People know that for them to do their best, they must work from their strengths not their weaknesses.
So what can you do to change this? Let’s look at two viewpoints, from the person who is employed and the one who is not. First, Success-Minded People who are working should always be doing the best they can no matter what the job. It is easier to change things when you hold value to the company. Know your skills and your strengths. What does the company or church do that is in your line of excellence. Ask to see what is required to get that position, and then do all you can to earn it. Show your talents and loyalty to your employer and you will be rewarded for the efforts.
Success-Minded People who are unemployed or looking for new work should see that job hunting is their full time job. It is not job hunting is you sit in front of your computer in your underwear for two hours sending out resumes to companies you know nothing about. Know what you want to do and focus on that work only. Never, look for a job doing “anything.” There is no job called “anything”. You may need to take a lower job in order to get into a company you wish to work for and work your way up. That is great if it leads to the job you want.
H. Jackson Brown said, “Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.” Success-Minded People do not allow things like the economy or unemployment numbers to discourage them. They know that their destiny is not dependent on other it is theirs to control.
(For more information on job hunting or on, DISC Assessment to find your strengths go to the Growth Center website at www.growthcenter.net)
© 2012 John Patrick Hickey
