I usually hear people say TGIF so I put Monday in my title to be different (just joking!) I feel compelled to write about work because I have seen a lot of meme in FB and heard in casual conversations about work and motivation which saddened me at some point.
If I can suggest, we should have a deeper meaning for our work. Let us not downplay our vocation by seeing it as only our source of income to pay bills. Life and ability to produce are given to us because of deep meaning and purpose. It is rooted to the way we are created in the image of God: God is a worker. Think of ourselves as cooperator or co-builder of something great (depending on the goal of your organization/company). When I worked in Big 4 accounting firm in the past, I have early quitting moments due to late night work, which seems to be unending. I thought about my work and how I will strengthen my motivation so I don't give up easily. So I started to get and embrace the perspective: I'm an ordinary person doing ordinary work but if I do it excellently I'm going to bless the persons who will benefit from my work. I do payroll, tax and financial statements. When I do payroll, I'm an instrument for the hardworking employees to receive their salaries on time. When I do tax, I work in a way that companies will pay correct taxes so the government will have funds for health, education, agriculture, etc. (on the issue of government spending and corruption is a different story and out of my control). When I prepare financial statements, I help the government, investors, other users of financial statements for economic, social, financial decisions that will impact the country and the world. When I thought about this, I was amazed that my ordinary work is actually impacting on a larger scale! And I believe this glorifies God.
We are called to where we are right now for a purpose. Please do not minimize yourself and your contribution. The confidence and understanding of your purpose will start inside of you. When you embrace your meaning, you will have greater confidence and motivation of going at work everyday. If you are confident to your meaning and purpose, you are likely to produce great results, at some point above and beyond of your job description. We don't need to drag ourselves or even look forward for Friday (TGIF) in the context of escaping the reality of work in our lives.
With full understanding that I'm a breadwinner and of course, I can't deny the fact that there are times I deeply feel the responsibility and it impacts some of my life's decisions (which I joyfully accept). But I am convinced that paying bills and feeding a family should not be the primary motivation. We work because that is our vocation and responsibility to God, the creator of work.
One more note, we work then period just as we give then period. It means when we do/give something, we accomplish our purpose at that point and the accomplishment should not be conditional to rewards or appreciation after the act. We are to be happy after we have given our best. When we are not appreciated, it should not impact our motivation. When we are appreciated, it's only a bonus.
Talk about appreciation, I'm just happy to share below. Even without this, I am happy as I know in my heart that the best was given to the project and that comforts me. I thank God for the wisdom and strength and people who helped me navigate the uncharted waters of my new journey in Google.
Let's thank God for Mondays as we thank him for Fridays. :)
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