Do you wake up with enthusiasm for the day or do you often drag yourself out of bed wondering how you will make it through yet another day?
When people love what they do, or are deeply committed to the mission of their organization, they wake up excited to see what opportunities the day has in store for them. Even though they experience ups and downs like everyone else, problems become simply “a pebble on the beach instead of the whole darn ocean,” as Dr. Scott, one of my management professors, used to say.
On the other hand, when I work with people who start businesses or work only to make money, I find they can keep it up for the short term, but in the long term, they react to every little problem like it is the whole darn ocean.
Browse through business books, blogs, franchise opportunities, or infomercials, and you will find a plethora of promises for ways to make money. But while most of us have to work to make a living, it helps to also seek to find something about your present work situation, or new venture, that interests you.
What interests me? Working with clients, research, and teaching. I am honored to work with my clients, whether they represent an emerging business or a large nonprofit. I learn something new every day, and I always bring the spirit of teaching to everything I do. It is my hope that my clients will build upon our work to shape ever more creative, dynamic, and innovative organizations into the future.
Walt Disney said: “What ever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” A much surer way to long-term success than simply trying to make money.