work a forgotten virtue

Work is a virtue. And perhaps it’s one that has been forgotten. Certainly if we compare the attitudes of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers about work to the mindsets of our peers and our children, we’ll see a degradation of the values that once defined hard working men.

When I graduated, an older gentleman from my church hired me to work for his sawmill and stone quarry. He didn’t really need to work anymore, but working kept him entertained, and it gave him a chance to help me out, by giving me work to do. We made white pine shingles, and pulled out irregular flag stone out of a quarry on the hill.

I’d also do whatever odd jobs he needed, including carpentry work on his house, and landscaping.

One day, he noticed me shovelling a pile of dirt to the wrong spot –  he told me – “Never shovel the same pile of $%@! twice.”

Which being translated, means- if you are going to move something, put it in the right place the first time – rather than needing to move it twice.

That and the adage “Work Smarter, Not Harder” have stuck with me over the years. I realize that working hard is good – but it is important to stop and think about how the job can be simplified and done efficiently.

Mostly, it means that if we take some time to make lists, draw diagrams, think through the process, we can save ourselves a ton of heavy lifting!

Efficiency is a science – and I believe that the root of it is in the plan. Taking the time to think about the process, and plan out the moving parts saves a multitude of work.

Work is a virtue. And perhaps it’s one that has been forgotten. Certainly if we compare the attitudes of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers about work to the mindsets of our peers and our children, we’ll see a degradation of the values that once defined hard working men.

There is an ancient principle that has been lost in time. “Whatever you sow, that you will also reap.”

To translate – “You PICK what you PLANT.”

This is true in every area of life – if you plant good seeds in your relationship with your wife, you’ll pick good fruit.  If you plant tomatoes, you’ll pick tomatoes!

The same is true in your work. If you invest your energy and your time into your job, you’ll receive the reward of a paycheck.

But beyond that – if you go over and above – you’ll get it back. It might seem hard to imagine if your boss is sucky. I tend to think that it works universally. If you go over and above and do the best job possible – it will in time pay off. Even if it’s not directly from your employeer.

If you plant seeds of griping, complaining, gossipping, and half-assing – what kind of fruit do you think you will pick? Chances are good that it might be unemployment!

It’s a principle that will prove true across the board in your life. Keep in mind, that good seed takes time, and nurturing to grow!

Tune in next week for Work: A Forgotten Virtue? – Work smarter, not harder

Work is a virtue. And perhaps it’s one that has been forgotten. Certainly if we compare the attitudes of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers about work to the mindsets of our peers and our children, we’ll see a degradation of the values that once defined hard working men.

Something I’ve noticed a lot lately, are people begging. Demanding. Expecting. Feeling entitled.

And it makes me ponder what has happened, that we’ve stopped thinking of work as being it’s own reward?

I want to make a few things clear. I think that when someone needs help providing for their family, it’s certainly okay to ask for help. When someone has an issue that they cannot do on their own – it’s okay to ask for help.

But when a man is able-bodied, and refuses to work for his reward – then what he is doing is not asking for help – but begging.

It’s a shameful thing to beg.

It’s okay to ask for help – but it’s not okay to beg.

What’s the difference? The difference is in the attitude the motivates. None of us are entitled to anything, and no one owes us anything. We need to work, and find ways to work in order to meet our own needs.

Somewhere along the way – it became okay to just beg. To just depend on the generosity of others, or to depend on the taxation of others to provide. (I am not against a social safety net that offers that hand-up to those that need it. I’m just saying that we’ve created a situation where people do not fully appreciate the value of working hard to earn their sustenance.)

Many men need to ask for help, they are working hard, but have fallen on hard times, and need a boost from friends or family or someone willing to help… but because they still feel the stygmas, they won’t ask for help when they should.

I think what it comes down to – is if a man works, he’ll earn what he needs, and he’ll deserve whatever help he needs.

If a man refuses to work – he’s a beggar.

Let’s make it a point to understand the difference, and a point to work hard for our reward!

Tune in next week for Work: A Forgotten Virtue? –  You pick what you plant

Work is a virtue. And perhaps it’s one that has been forgotten. Certainly if we compare the attitudes of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers about work to the mindsets of our peers and our children, we’ll see a degradation of the values that once defined hard working men.

Part of the reason that people hate their jobs and hate their work, and are not as productive as they should be – is that they don’t make good use of their time outside of work. You may have to hustle and work two jobs from time to time – you may have a job that requires more overtime than you can handle – but you have to make time to rest.  You have to make time to breathe, stretch, connect with friends and family, recharge spiritually.

If you don’t – then you’ll resent your job for keeping you from it. (Misplaced resentment, at that!)

Get yourself in check, get a good night’s sleep, and spend a little time once a week with the people and the things you love.

Tune in next week for Work: A Forgotten Virtue? – Asking for help vs Begging

Work is a virtue. And perhaps it’s one that has been forgotten. Certainly if we compare the attitudes of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers about work to the mindsets of our peers and our children, we’ll see a degradation of the values that once defined hard working men.
Men, your work matters.

It matters what you do – and how hard you work. Even if you are working at a fast food drivethru – your work matters.

We need to treat our jobs as though they matter! Why?

People are depending on us to do our job. The toilet you scrub, the widgets you make, the burgers you make, the papers you write – they matter to someone. I know your boss might be a prick, and you might not feel valued. But you’ve got to make your own validation. Find your value, and the value in your work on your own – and recognize that someone is counting on your doing your job to the best of your ability.

You are depending on your income! Your job is paying you, and it’s providing for your needs and the needs of your family. That matters. If you treat it like it doesn’t matter – you might lose it. Your income matters, and so by default, the way you earn that income matters.

Men, even if your job is just a stepping stone – even if it’s a J-O-B on your way to a career – even if you HATE it – it matters. So treat it like it matters!

Remember – how it feels is not as important as what the truth is. So your feelings might tell you how much you hate your job. Counter those feelings with the truth – that your job matters.

Tune in next week for “Work: A Forgotten Virtue? – Make a TIME for rest”