Do you stand out at work? - Part 2
We were talking about "standing out" at work. Check this out from Proverbs: "One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing: another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth." (Proverbs 13:7)
People aren't always what they appear to be - for better or for worse. Maybe the whole idea of getting noticed or standing out at work is misplaced. Maybe we shouldn't be thinking along these lines.
Maybe we really only need to think about putting in a good, hard day's work. I don't mean getting in early and staying late - at least not just that. I've known plenty of people who've done that and really get very little accomplished.
In fact, a lot of offices work that way. People want to impress their boss so they get in early. And they don't want to leave before the boss, or at least before any of their other co-workers. They want to be noticed. They want to stand out. But are they getting anything done?
I hope you're not stuck in this sort of environment. I've been in this situation. What a waste of time!
I don't have any brilliant advice for you here, except maybe this: if you really are not either contributing to the bottom line - bringing in more revenue or reducing expenses - then find a position in the company, or another job where you can do this.
Of course, right now's not the best time to look to change jobs. Many of us are simply lucky to have a job. But recessions don't last forever. In any case, think about contributing and adding value to the business.
But in the end, think about Our Lord. I don't think He spent much time thinking about standing out or getting noticed.
Of course, He did stand out. He did it by spreading the Good News. He did it by being exactly who He is - not pretending to be rich or poor.
So maybe that's where this whole "stand out at work" thing has to go. Just be yourself, add value to your business as best you can. While you're working, give a good example to others and whenever possible, spread the Good News of the Gospel to anyone who's receptive to it.
Not a bad way to spend a day, is it?
People aren't always what they appear to be - for better or for worse. Maybe the whole idea of getting noticed or standing out at work is misplaced. Maybe we shouldn't be thinking along these lines.
Maybe we really only need to think about putting in a good, hard day's work. I don't mean getting in early and staying late - at least not just that. I've known plenty of people who've done that and really get very little accomplished.
In fact, a lot of offices work that way. People want to impress their boss so they get in early. And they don't want to leave before the boss, or at least before any of their other co-workers. They want to be noticed. They want to stand out. But are they getting anything done?
I hope you're not stuck in this sort of environment. I've been in this situation. What a waste of time!
I don't have any brilliant advice for you here, except maybe this: if you really are not either contributing to the bottom line - bringing in more revenue or reducing expenses - then find a position in the company, or another job where you can do this.
Of course, right now's not the best time to look to change jobs. Many of us are simply lucky to have a job. But recessions don't last forever. In any case, think about contributing and adding value to the business.
But in the end, think about Our Lord. I don't think He spent much time thinking about standing out or getting noticed.
Of course, He did stand out. He did it by spreading the Good News. He did it by being exactly who He is - not pretending to be rich or poor.
So maybe that's where this whole "stand out at work" thing has to go. Just be yourself, add value to your business as best you can. While you're working, give a good example to others and whenever possible, spread the Good News of the Gospel to anyone who's receptive to it.
Not a bad way to spend a day, is it?
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