I got up and went to work today…like I do most days. Don’t take that the wrong way, I like my job and I enjoy the people I interact with I questioned why I really do it? Fresh in my mind was my son watching the Lorax movie. I overheard the Onceler character talking about his business: I’m figgering on biggering and biggering, and biggering, and BIGGERING, turning MORE truffula trees into thneeds! Which everyone, everyone, EVERYONE NEEDS! Do we struggle for something we already have?
It caused me to stop and think about work and the pursuit of the next promotion or raise and why we want it; indeed, why we think we need it…do we? I’m reminded of a story I heard a few years back about a business man who was taking a vacation in a small Mexican fishing village. One morning as he was out enjoying the sunrise and the beach he noticed a fisherman coming up in a small boat with a very large fish. The businessman complimented the fisherman, asked how long it had taken him to catch the fish and what he would do with the rest of his day. The fisher replied it had only taken him a little while and he would spend the rest of the day playing with his children, enjoying time with his wife and later stroll into town to socialize with his friends.
The businessman immediately took the opportunity to offer some advice to the young fisher, “spend more time fishing so you can buy a bigger boat. Then buy multiple boats and hire a team of fisherman. Eventually you will be able to open a cannery and expand your operation. Someday you will be able to take your company public and sell it for millions.”
The fisherman was intrigued, “how long will it take and then what”? The businessman continued, “that’s the best part, in as little as 15 years you could retire wealthy, move to a small fishing village, fish a little, play with your children, enjoy the afternoons with your wife and stroll into town in the evenings to socialize with your friends”.
I call that, working for something you already have
Why do you work? What goals do you have? I still work because (besides needing the money to live) I love to work and I enjoy my job. But it still gives me pause to consider if I am working for something I already have. Biggering and biggering and BIGGERING for the sake of biggering.
Question: What keeps you working every day? How do you stay motivated to excel? Leave your comments below or by clicking here