A good work ethic involves being a dedicated hard worker who goes above and beyond to not just get the job done but to do the job to the best to one’s ability. To me, a good work ethic also requires working well as a team as most jobs require at least a little bit of teamwork and cooperation. Lastly, a good work ethic involves having a positive enthusiastic attitude every day at work.
The most important thing about a good work ethic is that it is focused. If I work all day on something that has little value, I have not gained much for my efforts. A person needs to think about what they are working for and focus their efforts in the right direction. The most important thing about a good work ethic is that it has direction, so that the person is using their efforts to move in the direction they want to go.
This is a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of my readers, researchers, and website visitors. So much so that one of them were kind enough to share their own personal opinions. I don’t claim to be the best interviewer in the world, but I do promise some good, raw, and honest answers from normal people like you and me. I do my best to NOT filter these answers, except for the bad words and hateful speech.
With that little blurb out of the way, let’s dive right into the juicy bits of (potentially) life-changing insights.
Current Topic: Good Work Ethic
‘R’ = Richard N. Stephenson (me!) ‘I’ = Interviewee (anonymous by request unless otherwise noted)
[This interview is inspired and fueled by research done for my book: Staying Motivated at Work.]
R: What are some of the biggest reasons you would ever look into this subject?
I: The biggest benefit of good work ethic is self appreciation that results in self confidence. One with self confidence overshadows those who are lacking the self esteem to do better. Therefore a good feeling about one’s ability to accomplish a task saddled with self confidence is one of the biggest benefits of a good work ethic,
R: This is very interesting stuff here and I think it could help people. What do you feel is the most life-altering thing about the topic?
I: Good work ethic could cause an increase in a pay check. Also good work ethic could cause one to lateral to a more satisfying job. The process of improvement is all in the way that one works with what they have. If one has a job, then they should do the best job possible.
R: Could this topic help regular people like me and you be better at what we do?
I: A good work ethic makes you feel better about yourself. Imagine staying ten minutes late at work to finish a project in the best way you know how rather than turning it in sloppy so that you can leave at 5pm on the dot. You may be a little late, but you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that will carry over to your home life.
R: Is there anyone you can think of that seems to be a great role-model as far as this topic is concerned.
I: A good work ethic worker would be the cook who comes help to prep, doesn’t really ask for too much help and knows what they are doing. Even though doing your job is good, helping others to do their job also helps to benefit everyone. If that cook helps somebody who needs the help and helps with giving them some knowledge, that shows a good work ethic to me.
R: Do you know anyone who could use a little more help on this?
I: There was a staff I worked with in a group home for people with mental illness, and she continually pushed the boundaries of good work ethic. She slept with clients, stole their money, and took them out on trips without notifying the other staff. She lied to the other staff about what she was doing. I would say that is not a good work ethic!
R: Give us an example of what you do to make this topic a part of your daily duties.
I: I would get along with others and show myself friendly. I would be on time for work and other events. Continue to work hard on and off the job.
R: When do you think the average person should start paying attention to this topic?
I: Every time someone clocks in at work means that they have the opportunity to show a good work ethnic. Going far beyond the duty expectations of the employer is also a ways to show good work ethic. On the job is the appropriate place and the appropriate time to show the employer that you value work by getting to work on time and being at work everyday performing your job.
R: Describe a time when it is inappropriate to bring up this subject.
I: An inappropriate time to bring good work ethic into your life might be when you are feeling sick. If you’re sick you need to rest, despite how motivated you may feel or how much you want to improve your work ethic. Another bad time might be late at night, because you’ll think, ‘I’m going to work hard,’ but then sleep and repeat the day as usual.
R: Can you tell me where folks out there should plan to bring this idea into their lives?
I: On the job provides a platform to show good work ethic. Getting to work on time and being at work everyday shows that employer that you are a dependable worker. Good employee relations with the supervisor and other employee also shows that you are about accomplishing the mission of the workplace in a amicable manner which is also showing good work ethics.
R: What place is this subject just totally inappropriate for?
I: Although my immediate response was “there is no such thing as a bad place for good work ethic,” I think that it is possible to spend too much time on a small task that doesn’t really matter. An example could be taking too long to clean something that no one is going to see.
Another example would be if someone is working too hard on a small or unimportant task to the point where they neglect other important tasks or spending time with the people they care about.
R: Give me an example of who you think should look into this subject more?
I: Our society as a whole could use more help with the “good work ethic.” Whether its younger people who expect significant rewards for minimal effort, or people who are content to let the government send them their paycheck while they sit at home and watch talk shows, there is much need for improvement in this area.
Some say the Protestant “Work Ethic” originally contributed to the greatness of our nation. If that is so, it has unfortunately been lost in many aspects of our society, along with the values and faith-system that undermined it.
R: If you could only give one piece of advice for this folks out there, what would it be?
I: The easiest way to improve your work ethic is to have a job that you enjoy. If you don’t enjoy your work, find a new job. If this isn’t possible, always show up early and leave late. Dig deep and force yourself to try harder and get more done. Even if you are bored at work, make a game out of doing more each day.
R: What would you say is something we should avoid at all costs when it comes to this topic?
I: Laziness should be avoided at all costs to have a good work ethic. Being lazy prevents someone from being able to do work. Procrastination is another form on laziness and should be also be avoided. Having a good work ethic requires that you are willing to do the work.
R: Give us an example of something we can do today to get more up to speed on this topic.
I: Good work ethic is very important to maintaining a good job, and enjoying yourself while doing the work. Good work ethic includes arriving to work on time, working hard while you are there, achieving everything that is expected of you, and trying your hardest to advance your career while at the same time enjoying what it is that you do
I do not think I have a problem with my work ethic as I am often excited to earn a living and perform well for my manager so that I can maybe get a raise to a better position.
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Thank you for reading this personal journey into becoming a better person and having a better future ahead of you. I hope you enjoyed this interview conversation and found golden nuggets you can immediately apply to your daily life.
If you want to get more productivity (and fulfillment!) out of your work, career, and life through being more motivated, then check out Staying Motivated at Work.
Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or personal life-changing wisdom below.