Work — master key to success

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the proletariat, the bourgeoisie, the glass ceiling, the Carnival mentality and much more, may affect the work ethic ... Many people are interested in “employment”, not work. There may be a big difference ... The mind to work is vision-centric and purpose-driven.

Success and work go hand-in-hand. In fact, the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary! The extent to which one’s attitude to work affects the quality and destiny of one’s life is amazing. To a large extent, the attitude to work makes the differences between the achiever and the non-achiever; the low achiever and the high achiever; the winner and the loser, and of course, the success and failure. Great inventions, great discoveries ... great accomplishments, all have their roots in hard work.

In virtually every culture there is currently an increased awareness of the importance of adequate light on the work ethic. The quality of a nation is usually reflective of the work ethic of its people. It is my personal conviction that if our Trini people, for instance, did not have such a propensity to put fete before work, our nation would have been much further advanced, in a general sense. The Carnival mentality cripples. There are numerous factors which can be cited with respect to items that adversely affect advancement in the world of work. Perhaps how terminologies affect the psyche may be one of them. Example? Many people are interested in “employment”, not work. There may be a big difference.

Employment may very well be interpreted as the occupation of a particular place for a duration for which money is collected. The “employee” may be occupied, in the sense of being “on the job”, but not actually working. On the other hand, the same situation may not at all be a “psyche problem” but a “mentally” one. Again, we have to reflect upon attitude, with the reminder that it’s not aptitude but attitude which will determine one’s altitude. There are also factors such as vision, leadership, management, motivation, salary and conditions, corporate politics, the glass ceiling and the corruption element. Various approaches, models and theories may also come into focus. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Theory X, Theory Y, Theory O, Theory Z, Theory Z and N and the whole line are also vital pieces in the puzzle.

Concepts and arguments relative to slavery and indentureship, the proletariat, the bourgeoisie; and the capitalist, socialist and communist philosophies may also feature in the discussion as we extend further into the labour spectrum. Virtually from birth, one is primarily being prepared for the world of work. From pre-school to university the central focus is the preparation for work. “Good education, good work, good money” appears to be the prime motivation every step of the way. Our quality of life and living, our social status and the esteem or respect we receive are usually rated by our profession. Work is indeed a very integral part of life. It all started with God, our Creator.

The first thing the Lord offered to man after creation was work. The Lord gave man instructions to “keep the garden, the beasts and subdue the earth” (Gen 1:28). This was before woman actually arrived on the scene. So it was a matter of work before wife! Take note bachelors! Sparrow may have had a point: “No money, no love!” When the woman was created, it was also basically for the purpose of work — to be “a help meet” to the man (Gen 2:18). Eve was to be in working partnership with Adam in his original God-given assignment in Eden. God later charged the original foreparents of the human race: “By the sweat of thy face thou shall eat bread” (Gen 3:19). God’s intention is for man to earn his living by work. This is why He so abhors gambling, and certainly, crimes of robbery, theft, extortion and the like. The Lord equates work with life in two additional ways. Through the pen of the Apostle Paul, He declares that if “a man does not work he should not eat” (2 Th 3:10).

No eating means no life. James 2:26 says: “... faith without works is dead”. In other words, works give life to faith. And we are told that “the just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17). Our faith will only have the life to sustain us when there is work. Work, in order to be productive and rewarding, must involve vision, resolve, commitment, challenge, initiative, creativity, innovation, partnership, strategic alliances and team work, character and integrity. Effective planning would avoid a situation where there is much activity but no productivity. Nehemiah 4:6 of the Holy Scriptures speaks about “a mind to work”. The mind to work is characterised by a distinct, unreserved commitment to the task. It is vision-centric and purpose-driven. This mind knows how to seize the moment, refusing to make excuses but determined to find means.

The mind to work understands if it has to be done, then it can be done; if it can be done then it must be done ... so do it! For those of us who are disciples of the Lord, we are called “labourers” (Luke 10:2). We are to diligently labour in spreading His Word, winning the loss and minsitering to the various needs of hurting humanity. As we labour, we must keep in mind that He assures us, “... your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).