Maddi Gillel
Have you ever heard of this phrase? This is one of the most important phrases in a person’s life and in our culture – it would make a huge difference in a person’s life and in our culture if it were present in ‘both.’ Here are some quotes by famous men (and not so famous – but wise) on this deep subject:
“Thank God – every morning when you get up – that you have something to do which must be done. Whether you like it or not, being forced to work, or forced to do your best, will breed in you a hundred virtues which the idle never know.” – Charles Kingsley
“As a remedy against all ills – poverty, sickness and melancholy – only one thing is absolutely necessary: a liking for work.” – Charles Bandelaire
“The only place where success comes before work is a dictionary.” – Vidal Sassoon
“Being a lazy bum at work may be tolerated, but it will not be admired or respected.” – M Thomas
“If you want a work well done, select a busy man: the other kind has no time.” – Elbert Hubbard
“Employment is nature’s physician, and is essential to human happiness.” – Galen
“Work is the grand cure of all the maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind.” – Thomas Carlyle
‘Work is not man’s punishment. It is his reward and his strength, his glory and his pleasure.” – George Sand
“The crowning fortune of a man is to be born to some pursuit which finds him employment and happiness, whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or statues, or songs.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Be honest in all things. In speech, don’t ever come close to a lie. Any attempt to deceive is a lie. Don’t assume ownership of supplies and machinery at work. In other words, the phone, copy machine, office supplies and the goods the company produces are not yours. Do not use them for your own personal use, unless you have specific permission. The following characteristics are also important:
NEATNESS – keep your desk and/or work area spotless. Your own clothing should be clean and presentable. Dress a little better than expected. You represent a business. Sloppy dress usually equals sloppy posture, manners, attitude, etc.
PUNCTUALITY – Get to work a few minutes early to prepare for the day. Deliver goods and/or services punctually. Don’t leave early, arrive late, take long lunches or too many breaks.
ATTITUDE – Sit and stand straight. Don’t chew gum or eat and drink in front of customers. Use eye contact. Use proper English. Don’t rely on words like: uh. Yeah, nope, I dunno, he’s all, yep, etc. Do not swear or profane. “Vulgarity and profanity are evidence of a weak mind trying to express itself forcefully.” – (unknown) You and the business you work for have nothing to gain by vulgarity and profanity.
PHONE – Use your best manners and English. If there is a message, be sure it is written down accurately and delivered promptly. Follow up if necessary. Don’t leave people on hold for longer than 30 seconds.
COURTESY – Treat other people you come in contact with as if they were royalty. This goes for customers as well as fellow workers. Don’t ever be rude to anyone even if they are rude to you. If you have a disgruntled customer, ask him what he would like to have you do and /or apologize for the inconvenience.
Remember, being an honest, reasonable, cooperative CUSTOMER is part of the work ethic too. The Golden Rule applies in business dealings as well as personal lives.
Leave your personal life and/or problems at home. Don’t come to work with a long face and a chip on your shoulder. It makes a tense and uncomfortable work environment.
“You can’t legislate equality; you have to deserve it. You can’t demand success, you have to earn it. You can’t be handed an education or skill; you have to learn by hard work. You can’t vote yourself security – you have to produce for it and save for it. For hundreds of years, false leaders have preached, “Give me your support and I will care for you. I will take from others and give you a living you don’t have to work for.” And for those same hundreds of years men have been drugging themselves into that dream – and waking up, not in Heaven, but in Purgatory.” – KSL Editorial Salt Lake City, Utah
“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.” – Monson