Do your job!

Work occupies a large part of life.

The only way to be happy and satisfied is to work in a career in which you believe and do great work. Do your job! You must love what you do.

New England Patriots’ Head Coach Bill Belichick has made the phrase, “Do your job!” into the shortest mission statement in the NFL. It is not the opposition’s job to help you do your job.

My wife, Christine, has the shortest mission statement I ever came across. “Be nice!” Is it that simple? She lives her mission and learns that nice gets you further than nasty.

When you love what you do, it is much easier to do your job well. Find your passion and pursue it. Life will be miserable if you do not satisfy that thirst. Know that people know when you do your job and while it should not be your selfimage, the job you do still defines you in the eyes of others.

Confucius observed, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Your job tells your story if you do it well. Quit complaining and do your job… or look for another one if for any reason you cannot make it happen.

Make no mistake, every single job is a challenge, no matter how big or small. Find ways to adjust into the new role even on those days when fulfilling the role requires a stretch. Know that others know what you did. They notice.

However, you cannot be good at your job if all you do is just your job. That is the misnomer. That is where your passion kicks in and the true love comes through to the casual observer.

Over the years, I have spoken to Milliken & Company scores of times. They are a privately held textile company, and are based in Spartanburg, SC, a world-wide conglomerate with thousands of employees and other subsidiaries.

On the wall in one of the Milliken plants where I spoke was a sign that read, “Don’t stop until you are proud.” Pretty much says it all. I could add… change your attitude or change your job. Simple solution.

Am I encouraging you to be a quitter? No. Absolutely not. I am admonishing you to be a joiner, and then do it regardless of the pay. I would and often do speak for free because I believe in the cause.

Would you do your job for free? Would you show up early and stay late to get the job done? The job you do tells your story much better than the role they expect you to play.

My late friend, Jim Rohn, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame said, “Work harder on yourself that you do your job.” That is key! Imagine what the job would be if you did not have one.

Simply put, your job is what you are paid to do. Your passion and work are what you are born to do. If your goals are impotent, you will not be inspired to reach them. Have audacious dreams and inspirational goals. Mediocre goals cheat you and your co-workers.

Mark Twain, as usual, said it best: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if your job is to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first!”

Michael Aun is the recipient of the George Morrisey Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Speakers Association-Central Florida.