Success at Work

By: Esmari

SUCCESS AT WORK

Just find what you love, they say, what you are passionate about in life, and financial success and happiness will follow. Everywhere we turn, writers and self-help gurus repeat this refrain. It's an idea virus. And I don't buy it.

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, said the following at the Stanford Commencement address he gave in 2005:

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle." (1)

This may be true if you are lucky enough to be passionate about doing business, accounting or another activity that easily generates income. For the rest of us, hearing such messages just adds to the frustration and inferiority we already feel.

I would be living a life of poverty if I followed this principle, because what I happen to love and are passionate about are Christian spirituality and philosophy. Career opportunities in those fields are very limited and poorly paid, if paid at all. I have accepted that my passion is doomed to be a sideline and I believe that this will be the case for most of us. Billions of people worldwide simply have to take whatever job they can get in order to stay afloat.

So, how are we to derive satisfaction from our work lives? By doing an excellent job. Whether it is sweeping a floor or doing the same experiment a hundred times to prove a theory, do it to the best of your ability. Do it as if for the Lord. Accept that you are there for a reason and do your job prayerfully, mindful of the needs of those you meet at your workplace.

Performing every task with a positive attitude and to the best of your ability will not only bring you favour in the eyes of your superiors; it will also enhance your self-esteem and give you a sense of purpose and wellbeing.

You may initially need several reminders a day to develop this attitude, but make a conscious decision to do it. You are welcome to save this poster to help you remember.

Article Source: http://www.articles.narrowisthepath.com

Esmari is a masters student in Theology, specializing in Christian Spirituality. Read more articles here.

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