One of the traits I see among successful entrepreneurs is they take pride in whatever they do.
I went to a cafe last week and bumped into the young owner and we talked about how he started his cafe business. He was passionately sharing with me how he has spent minimal resources to revamp his cafe, on new recipes etc. I could see all the passion in his eyes.
Very often we come across poor customer service or someone who can’t perform well in the workplace because they feel no pride in their work. To them, getting a paycheck at the end of the month is their objective. Nothing more than that.
How on earth can someone truly be delighted from working for the sake of working?
So find the meaning in what you do.
I remembered how impressed I was when I went to Japan and saw the janitor was cleaning the toilet in such a detailed way, mopping the floor several times and spraying and wiping each toilet bowl.
That kind of attitude seriously earned my respect when some people may have felt ashamed with their “job title”. That gig required the most labor and hard work and was seriously admirable.
Each of us has a role to play in society. A janitor has his role to keep the hygiene level at its best to ensure everyone feels pleasant.
Taking pride in our work keeps us motivated and committed. Here are some areas you could focus on:
1. Give a damn about your reputation.
Always remind yourself your reputation is everything and deliver your best, always. If you yourself don’t care of your own name, who else will take you seriously?
2. Showcase your skills and work.
I’m not talking about being boastful about yourself but someone who knows how to highlight their skills and achievements certainly can generate confidence and self-respect. If you don’t want to sound like a braggart, you could tell the vulnerable parts about yourself, the struggles that you have overcome.
3. Be honest about what you don’t know.
You don’t have to be the one who knows it all. Admit your weaknesses and constantly look for improvements. One who always opens up for improvement is definitely someone who takes pride in what they are doing.
Take pride in what you do, and let the result of work be your signature.
