Community Chat

[Luv2Decorate]

I can't imagine having that mindset. I go the extra mile because that is what I do, not what is expected of me. I do what I need to do because that is WHO I AM. I get things done. I do them thoroughly, correctly, and I am able to make decisions based on what I believe. That is why I get asked to do so many things from School Board to volunteering. People have full confidence in my work because I follow through. I've built that reputation just by being me. I ask the same thing out of our kids. Do your best, don't settle.

[QueenDanceALot]

On 6/4/2014 Ellis Dee said:

My experience is the more you give the more they expect while others are skirting by doing the least possible and still making the same amount. Why bother?

Read post #2.

[ive been framed]

I was an art director at one time and worked with only a handful of other artists so everything we did or didn't accomplish was pretty obvious. Deadlines were brutal at times. I think our work was appreciated when done to satisfaction.

I do remember a time when I needed to hire another artist and ended up hiring someone who's portfolio was very good but not the best I'd seen yet his attitude was wonderful- very enthusiastic, and he was willing to take direction, listen and learn and do the most mundane work as if it were the most important job handed out that day! He was very much appreciated because he made my job much less stressful. So a good work ethic really is important.

[Pqfan]

She works hard for the money,so hard for it honey,she works hard for the money so you better treat her right!

[goodstuff]

Very few people become super-successful and/or wealthy by working a 40-hour week and doing just the minumum expected. I think it's all about having dream, drive, a vision. People who succeed go above and beyond not just to please others, but to become successful.......and they often do. Certainly I'm not talking about people in dead-end jobs who allow themselves to be brow-beaten into working excessive hours with no rewards. It's all about drive and vision and getting yourself into a position where you can move ahead towards your own life goals and expectations.

"My experience is the more you give the more they expect while others are skirting by doing the least possible and still making the same amount. Why bother?" If you have this attitude, you might as well stay home. You see yourself as a victim with no end in sight.......and you're going NOWHERE.

[terrier3]

On 6/4/2014 Ellis Dee said:

My experience is the more you give the more they expect while others are skirting by doing the least possible and still making the same amount. Why bother?

When I worked for a large sales organization, we as a group always exceeded our goals and received bonuses based on how much we went over our targets.

Instead of being pleased, the headquarters told our local manager they were very DISPLEASED - they hadn't factored into their budgets that so many people would exceed their sales goals and make bonuses.

So the next year, our commissions were cut in half (effectively reducing our incomes in half unless we worked twice as hard as the year before.) So at least half of the staff (I was #1 in the group) - started working from 7AM-6PM and weekends too. We made up the difference. Our employer got almost 100% more in sales - and we got our 5% commission, plus the annual 1% bonus.

So the NEXT year, they eliminated all bonuses...they said that if 50% of the sales force was making their goals, the goals were too low.

Then they put the business up for sale...the Wall St Journal remarked at how they were able to cut costs severely and almost double sales.

In the last 6 months - 10 out of 12 people have left - and the new people are not making budget at all.

I went to work for myself...my commission went from 3% to 15% and the only stress I now have is the pressure I put on myself to make a good living and to be proud of my work.

Sometimes doing too good a job totally backfires on the workers!

[terrier3]

On 6/5/2014 Isobelle said:

On 6/4/2014 madzonie said:

I sometimes wonder when we work "extra" hard, put in more and longer hours, earn more money, deprive ourselves of time with family, friends and even our own selves, will we regret one day that we made those choices?

I don't think any one of us will lay on our death beds regretting that we didn't work more. No, on the contrary our biggest regrets will relate to not spending more time with friends and family no doubt.

ITA.

I believe now that working SMART and efficiently is much better than working 60 hour weeks. I also believe in turning off the phone and stop checking e-mail when on vacation.

When I resigned, I had 4 weeks vacation and 5 days personal leave coming, but I didn't get a penny since I quit on my own. I also had 365 sick days (the max allowed). I worked no matter HOW I felt. I think I took about 10 sick days in 16 years!

[minkbunny]

Posted a similar question over four years ago, forgot about it until I Googled the virtue of hard work being its own reward, quite interesting to see some of the "old" names.

http://community.qvc.com/forums/Viewpoints/topic/65572/do-you-believe-that-the-virtue-of-hard-work-i...

(Needs to be highlighted in blue and opened in new tab or window)

[hckynut]

Aha! More research into something that means nothing to most. Got more out there that have to keep justifying that their job/profession or whatever, is still needed.

[------]

On 6/4/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:

Most people who go above and beyond don't do it for the recognition, they do it because it's what they expect of themselves.

Exactly. People who take pride in what they do will create their own job satisfaction.