{“Show Up Successful!”© Series – Part IV}
By Joan Endicott
A critical component to “Show Up Successful”©, is a strong work ethic. Actor / comedian Steve Martin joked, “All I want is a weeks’ worth of pay for a days’ worth of work.” Although he was joking, far too many embrace such an entitled attitude. These are often the same ones who scratch their heads and wonder why they can’t support their MILLION-Dollar Dream with a Minimum-Wage work ethic?
Work Ethic: the principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward. Your personal philosophy towards work has a great deal to do with what your work ethic is. Is it an OPPORTUNITY or DRUDGERY?
Some show up to work late, leave early and while at work have the attitude ventriloquist Edgar Bergen as Charlie McCarthy, quipped “Hard work never killed anybody but why take the chance?”
For those who have a Michael Jordan work ethic, they, like him, will never lack for opportunity in their desired field of expertise.
No question, Michael Jordan was one of the best NBA players of all-time. Jordan finished his NBA career with 32,292 points and won six NBA championships. He averaged 30.1 points per game. Those who observed him on and off confirm that he just worked harder than anyone else.
Tim Grover, the trainer who worked with Michael Jordan said this of Jordan, “Michael was the most competitive individual I’d ever met. He never wanted to lose at anything, always felt like someone else was gonna outwork him, so he wanted to outwork them … He practiced extremely hard which made the game very easy for him.”
Notice that last point? Working and practicing extremely hard resulted in the game becoming easy for him. Often people will cite that someone must be naturally talented or just plain lucky to get where they got. Clearly, Michael Jordan had talent but it had nothing to do with luck – he was actually cut from his high school basketball team.
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” Thomas Jefferson
Some of the qualities of a good work ethic: 1) Be reliable 2) Be early 3) Be prepared – Start at starting time and don’t quite until quitting time 4) Take Initiative – do what needs done without being asked. 5) Take pride in your work. 6) Be honestly productive while on the clock – don’t do personal things when you are being paid to do professional things. 7) Be others-focused. You get paid to serve customers and co-workers.
Where does opportunity lie? Right behind the door called WORK!
Award-winning speaker, author and Giant-Slayer Coach, Joan Endicott works with individuals and organizations to improve performance, productivity and profit in business and life. Visit her business face book: com/pages/Joan-Endicott, Website: JoanEndicott.com or call (208) 453-8056.