Work Notch

How is work?
How are we on it?
Do we dread it or love it every single day?

At a point in our lives, work becomes a vital part of us. It's a central part of our humanity. We work to be able to sustain ourselves every day. And times have been difficult nowadays. Some struggle to find a job. Some are challenged to keep their current work.

While we still have work that keeps us going, we should be grateful. We shouldn't take it for granted. The job we have now is what others would like to have. And our goal is not just to ensure that we stay at work. We also shine at work. It's how we treat it that speaks out.

Whether rendering our services for an employer or managing a business, we work at it with all our heart and might. We work for purpose and intention. No matter how common, ordinary, or menial, we give it our best.

And here's a thing to think about:
Can we become a valuable asset in work such that we can't be dispensable?

There's a term for that: It's called a linchpin. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as "a person or thing vital to the enterprise or organization." We're essentials, foundations, pillars, or anchors in that sense.

How is that embodied? According to author Seth Godin, they insist on making a difference, leading,  connecting with others, and doing something they call art. 

How do they do that?

* They stand up and are remarkable in the way they work.
* They're human, and they contribute.
* They interact and are generous with their time and attention.
* They make judgment calls instead of following the beaten path.
* They take the risk that they might make someone upset with our initiative, innovation, and insight.

These come from a fuel of imagination, drive, and a capacity for hard work. And these attributes should have a striking effect on a company in such a way they have a hard time letting us go if we embody them.

We weren't born to be cogs in the giant industrial machine. We're born to be people who can think, lead, make a change, and make a difference. It's all about perspective. Work is an opportunity to serve and bless others. Work is a privilege. Work is an opportunity to make an impact.

There's no doubt that it can be frustrating. The pressures, temptations, and compromises can overwhelm us. It can be draining, toxic, or oppressive. But despite these, let's be able to shine and inspire others in what we do.

So, how do we inspire and impact others through our work? Here are three things:

1. Commit in the intended glory.
We make sure that our character, conduct, competence, and connections with the people around us align with love, goodness, kindness, and truthfulness. An atmosphere like that encourages a healthy workplace, and one would love to be in that space.

No matter what challenges or difficulties we face, sticking to this commitment will give us wisdom, discernment, strength, and courage to do our work excellently. And we also need to remind ourselves that we're in our workplace not to gain profit, please people, seek popularity, or have a higher position. It's fulfilling what we importantly need to do in our work areas. 

2. Be ready to be transformed.
It's an interesting fact that we spend more time at work, as it occupies more than half of our waking hours. If that's the case, the workplace becomes one of the best places for character building.

It's where we can be transformed and shaped into becoming the person we can be. Challenges and difficulties help us endure, persevere, and build standing power. So, we should expect challenging work and difficult people to be in the picture. But there's always a choice to overcome them and use them to our advantage as tools to become better individuals.

3. Immerse in the right influence.
Since we're in the workplace, we can be immersed in its culture. There may be words, expressions, or attitudes we may not like from it. If we're not careful, we may catch ourselves in those ways. Given this, we must surround ourselves with those who can give the right influence on the best drive at work.

And most importantly, we need to be grounded in our desired virtue and work ethic. If we're all into doing our work well, we know we should seek the good and right way. It's not always easy, but in time it will pay off. We can show that it's possible to do good the right way.

When we can inspire and impact with our work, it's an achievement, a big win for us. But in line with this, we also need to protect our hearts. We can thrive and grow in our career field but very far from the other things that matter most. That's not what we want to happen.

So how do we know that our heart is not far from that? What kind of heart should we have when it comes to work?

Here are two things:

1. A heart that focuses on service

Work is about service. Service is about what one can give instead of what one can get. It's about contributing, not consuming.

This kind of heart is willing to serve above and beyond. Those with this heart know they work to add value and contribute even though they won't be repaid. They're reliable and dependable because they have the heart to help others. 

2. A heart that cares and cultivates a better world

It's a heart that aims to make the world a better place. A person with this heart fights for it. And there's more beautiful work that can be done. It needs a lot of cultivating, developing, and drawing out of the potential.

If each one has this kind of mindset regarding work, I'm sure the world will never be the same. We'll give our very best for our world so that others can enjoy the fruit of it. And we pass this on for the next ones to come. And the cycle goes on. 

It's great that we can give the best in what we do. But let's also remember to balance it with rest. When we rest, we can have the energy to give our best at work. Let's keep that rhythm. And when we work, we make sure to keep the notch going.