HOW TO ENJOY YOUR WORK/HOW TO ENJOY HARD WORK

"GO THE EXTRA MILE

In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "If someone in authority compels you into service for a mile, go with him two miles."  (Matthew 5:41) How might you apply the principle behind those words to your own work?  Rather than simply doing the minimum, look for ways to do more than is required.  Set personal goals; challenge yourself to do your work better or faster than expected. Take pride in even the small details of your work. 

When you go the extra mile, you are more likely to enjoy your work. Why?  Because you are in control of your actions. You are giving more because you want to, not because someone forced you to.  (Philemon 14) In this regard, we might recall the principle recorded at  Proverbs 12:24; "The hand of the diligent ones will rule, but idle hands will be put to forced labor."  True, few of us will be put under literal slavery or forced labor. However, a person who does only the bare minimum may feel that he is enslaved, always under the yoke of the demand of others. But the person who goes the extra mile-doing more because he chooses to-feels in control of his life. He remains master over his actions. 

KEEP WORK IN ITS PROPER PLACE

Hard work is admirable, yet we do well to remember that there is more to life than work.  True, the bible encourages diligence.  (Proverbs 13:4)  But it does not encourage becoming a workaholic.  "Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind,"says Ecclesiastes 4:6.  The point? A workaholic may never enjoy the fruitage of his labor if his work consumes all his time and energy. In effect, his work becomes as  pointless as "chasing after the wind." 

The Bible can  help us to cultivate a balanced view of work. Although it says we should apply  ourselves to our work, it also advises us to "make sure of the more important things." (Philippians 1:10)  What are the more important things?  These include spending time with family and friends. Even more important are spiritual activities, such as reading God's Word and meditating on it.  

Those who keep  their life balanced are likely to enjoy their work even more. "One of my former employers is a great example of someone with a balance work ethic," says William, quoted earlier.  "He works hard, and he has a good rapport with his clients because of the quality of his work. But at the end of the day, when the job is done, he knows how to leave his work behind and focus on his family and his worship. And you know what?  He's one of the happiest people I know!" 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOSEPH -"Do Not Interpretations Belong to God?" 

From the Watchtower magazine