by Debbie Ruston, Featured Contributor
THERE are two types of people that go to work everyday. Those that spring out of bed every morning, with a sense of purpose and can’t wait to get to work. More common are those that want to sleep longer, call in sick, have a snow day or whatever it takes to get out of going to work. I have been on both sides of the table, but very grateful that many years ago I discovered what makes the difference.
“Successful entrepreneurs know what makes them get out of bed in the morning. They know what drives them to take the risks they take and to experience the results they create. They know what makes the journey, with its ups and downs and difficulties and surprises, worth the effort.”
This gave me another one of those lightbulb moments. Those that are looking for every excuse under the sun to not go to work, feel this way because they see no value in what they are doing. They are often bored, disengaged and have no sense of purpose. They are just there for the paycheck. That is not enough to build ongoing enthusiasm, fulfillment or happiness.
People want to feel what they do is worthwhile. So many people in life make the mistake of choosing a career path just for the money. Although we require finances to live, it is not enough to keep our enthusiasm alive. We must have a purpose bigger than ourselves that gets us out of bed in the morning. This is the distinction with successful entrepreneurs. We know why we are doing what we do, we believe in it with all our hearts and are excited about the result it will bring. We know what we do matters, and we become self motivated. Successful entrepreneurs live their passion and do not feel controlled by outside sources. That in itself is so freeing. And the key is, this enthusiasm is fully present, consistently, BEFORE the success actually comes because the successful entrepreneur has chosen to live a life on purpose, a life of meaning, by their own design. The enthusiasm is there because you are choosing purposely and not feeling controlled, or a lack of choice. This thinking applies to both employees and entrepreneurs that want to feel this type of enthusiasm for their work.
If you can’t wait for Saturday, maybe it’s time to reassess what you spend 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week doing. Life is too short to spend 40 hrs week on something you don’t enjoy. Over a time period of 20 yrs of age to 65 years of age, that is 90,000 hours, based on a 40 hr. work week. So ask yourself….who are you, the person that can’t wait for Saturday so they don’t have to go to work, or the person that is in love with their life and fully engaged in the work they do?
Excellent example Marcia! The first two have a “victim” mindset and believe they have no choice. Anyone can make the choice to build the cathedral.
Great post. It reminded me of the story of a man came across three masons who were working at chipping chunks of granite from large blocks. The first seemed unhappy.When asked what he was doing, he said, “I’m hammering this stupid rock, and I can’t wait ’til 5 when I can go home.”
A second,a bit more energized, said” I’m molding this block of rock so that it can be used with others to construct a wall. It’s not bad work, but I’ll sure be glad when it’s done.”
A third mason was hammering at his block eagerly, would take time to stand back and admire his work. Asked what he was doing, he said “I’m building a cathedral!”
How many employees today feel what they are doing is worthwhile?
Congrats Marcelino. You are obviously making choices to live your life to the fullest, with passion and commitment in everything you do. Well done!
Great read! Thank you Debbie, this is a great article. I feel so grateful to get up (quite early too!) excited every day to do what I do. But even when I was working for the ‘corporation’ I felt that way. I think anyone (not just entrepreneurs) can feel that way if we choose to. It requires some re-wiring of our mindset to create purpose in everything we do, whether it is living out our dream or helping others with theirs.
Thank you,
Marcelino