“At work. I’m bored.”
No joking. This tweet appeared in my Twitter stream a couple of weeks ago. I will protect the name of the guilty person who tweeted this in ignorance.
Wait, do I really mean ignorance or complete disregard?
The latter.
The tweet above is not a reflection upon the company you work for, but YOU and your work ethic.
I refuse to believe work ethics no longer exist or should not because of some study showing how Millennials were raised to think the world their playground. Work ethics are intrinsic; they come from within each of us.
Work ethic is more than just working hard. Any one of us can spin our wheels for eight hours a day. Work ethic is about being professional, completing your task with the larger picture in mind and with due diligence, and having a positive attitude (even if you are a person like me always thinking the glass is half empty). Simply, actions speak louder than words. Not every day is going to be a picnic at the office. Politics will run their course. No doubt, but you cannot control other people, only yourself.
Work ethic is about taking initiative. You see something that needs to be done? Do it. Don’t wait to be told or for it to be officially placed on your task list. Start working toward solutions. Just do it.
Warming a seat doesn’t cut it. Trying is awesome, but you do not get an A for effort. This is real life with real life consequences. It is time we start acting as if we have a crucial part to play as the the employee and the employer.
Work is not about making friends. It is about working harmoniously together to achieve a vision. We have to bring our A game to the table.
No instant gratification. We have to work to achieve the goal. Master our strengths and acknowledge and correct weaknesses. Coddling will not be accepted.
Limelight? Success is just as easily doled out as failure. Don’t forget that. Being right or wrong is underrated. Be infamous for being useful, humble and gaining wisdom in dark situations.
Innovation cannot be achieved without continuation. Ideas are as unique as snowflakes. Demonstrate how you can work within the system before you go about breaking all the rules.
Step up or step out. Respect is not freely given, it is earned.
The sooner we learn this, the smoother the path.
Being bored is not acceptable. Go out and seek something that fires your passions. It is time we started holding everyone, regardless of age, accountable for work ethic. It should be something you progress toward perfecting…
How can we cultivate and nourish stronger work ethics?
