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I would hazard a guess that the word “work” is one of the most used in conversation. Like other four-letter words, it can be used as a noun, a verb, adjective, and adverb and just as easily in a negative light as a positive one. In fact, over time, it seems as if people prefer to use it as a negative. Just think for a moment of the context and implications when presented in conversation:

“I have so much work to do” generally infers that you are over-burdened and challenged to complete everything.

“I have to work (said with a frown)” in response to another person’s request for your time means that you would rather be with them than spend time at your place of employment.

“It’s a job” is a common response to “How are things at your place of employment”, generally meaning that it is what it is – a means to a paycheck and that’s it.

“This job is killing me” could refer to the physical, mental, or emotional toll that a job inflicts on a person.

“It’s not my job” is a lame attempt at distancing yourself from something that you believe exists outside of your responsibility and somehow resolves you from caring.

“I need a job” however becomes a sense of urgency that steps away from the negative and shouts out how important a job is to your survival. This will be the case until a person gets a job, then the negative connotations return rather quickly.

“I got the job!” is a short-lived level of excitement about a sense of comfort and looking forward to the possibilities.

“I love my job” is not so frequently stated, somehow pointing to a weakness of character and resolve if we act enthusiastic about the work we do and the place where we do it.

“This is more work than I bargained for” somehow implies that a person was deceived during the hiring process and the fact that they must invest of themselves doesn’t quite sit right with them.

“I have to work (said with eyebrows raised and urgency in voice)” can mean that the “job” is strictly a way to survive, but it can also mean that for a person’s piece of mind and sense of value they must find themselves invested in employment.

“I work my ass off” is a statement of martyrdom. This oftentimes assumes that others don’t work as hard, and you are the salvation of the company.

“This job sucks” is a protest sign that leaves little room for improvement. The employer can generally assume that nothing they do will change this attitude and this attitude will likely result in weak performance and loads of friction among co-workers and management.

“What can I say, it’s a job”, means there are no redeeming qualities to the work and all a person can do is try to soldier through the day.

“They work me to the bone”, must mean that a person feels like an indentured servant with no way out.

“All I do is work” – You are tied to the job at the hip and find yourself lost without meaning.

“Don’t look at me, I just work here” – ah, this is a bold statement that says: “don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player” and have no decision-making power or ability to influence an outcome.

Of course, I could go on and on. The plight of the worker has been immortalized in books, articles, blogs, social media posts, union contracts, songs, and movies for as long as those methods of communication have existed. There is, and always has been, a love/hate relationship between worker and employer. I guess it is human nature to complain about what we do to earn a paycheck, yet the thought of trying to get by without that job is scary and almost unthinkable. Men and women are born to do something with their time on this planet and positioned to feel accomplished and inspired when they do find what they are destined to do. So here is the point of this article:

“Work is important to our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It is far more important than just receiving a paycheck. And, you do have a level of control over what you do, how you do it, whom you do it for and with, and how you feel about what you accomplish through that work.”

Now some will certainly disagree and say – “sounds good, but that is not my experience”. Okay, but ask yourself some very foundational questions:

“What have I done to change my current work situation and turn it from a negative to a positive?”

“How have I prepared myself to find a job that better suits a positive outcome?”

“Does my attitude about work impact how it feels to me and others?”

“What if I tried to simply change that attitude and look for the positive that goes beyond the paycheck?”

“What can I learn today on the job to make work life more rewarding?”

“What if I took the steps, starting today, to make my situation better and improve the environment for my co-workers? What if I became the positive part of work?”

Now, I am not saying that some work environments aren’t negative, even toxic. I am not suggesting that some businesses don’t engage in abusive tactics to get employees to perform, or that certain teammates do not take pleasure in making your life miserable. I am suggesting that you can have a positive impact on that by taking the high road and if that doesn’t work, then in a labor thirsty market like we are in right now, if you invest in being great at what you do, you can easily find a better place of employment. Great operators are ALWAYS LOOKING FOR ACCOMPLISHED, POSITIVE PEOPLE to become part of their teams.

Maybe it’s time to change our response to the terms “work and job” and see them as purposeful, engaging, exciting, and worthwhile. Our dialogue on the topic is important – a way to set the stage for success.

“Whenever things go a bit sour at a job I’m doing, I always tell myself.’ you can do better than this’”.

-Dr. Seuss

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