Finding freedom from apathy in the workplace

Philip Joseph Noone

Some time ago—at my last place of employment—my boss took me into her office and told me that she was unhappy with my performance at work. As she spoke to me about her concerns, I realized that I had been following the example of my workmates instead of using my own initiative and taking a stand for what was right. My boss observed that I had been socializing with other staff too often when there were other things to be done. I agreed with her and said that I would endeavor to make an effort to express more initiative.

I left her office with a stern resolve to do my best. I went about my work enthusiastically—greeting customers cheerfully and with a diligent readiness to be of service, performing every little task with care and precision and to the best of my ability. I also made an effort not to be drawn by others into doing the wrong thing. This was not done in a self-righteous manner but through humility and brotherly love.

It also occurred to me that the reason I wasn't giving the job my best effort was that I thought there had to be something else in store for me—something better or more exciting—but I soon realized that I had to make a commitment to working now. As Paul wrote to the early Christians in Galatia, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). To me this means that we get out of our experience whatever we put into it. I found that as I was obedient to all these right ideas, my job became much more satisfying and enjoyable! Soon after, I was offered the opportunity to move to another department. Two weeks later, the manager there pulled me aside and offered me a promotion as supervisor of the department!

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