Why Go the Extra Mile? It's Fun!

We had a company meeting today, and one of our project managers was complemented for really going the extra mile at a client site recently. He commented that it was really fun to do.

I really like that perspective. It's fun to be challenged, to do your best and to exceed the expectations of others. And it really isn't that hard. In today's culture, it's rare for anyone to take responsibility for anything. Most people act completely inconvenienced by having to acknowledge someone other than themselves.

So, amaze the masses by noticing someone or caring about your job! Or try this - pick up a piece of trash off the ground and throw it away. You might win an award or something.

I saw a newscast one day interviewing people in a nearby town who were irritated at a business that had set up shop, trashed the area, and left. Comments like, "I have to drive by and look at this every day! Someone should do something about this. It's been like this for months!" But not one person, after months of looking at trash laying around this empty lot and being outraged that this had happened, not one person ever considered walking out there one day and picking it up themselves. Shoot, if it bothers you, do something about it. But we'll call in a news crew! That'll fix it.

Why not jut take pride in your work, your home, your community. Make an effort. You might even surprise yourself.

Out of Balance

Rick Warren comments in "The Purpose Driven Life" that God never gives us more than we can handle. If we're overloaded or overwhelmed, it may be due to the fact that we've taken on more than God intended. And then Pastor Rick gives some guidance in how to find what it is God does intend for us.

So, why am I overwhelmed? Certainly not because I didn't finish reading "The Purpose Driven Life". (or maybe it is...) I know if I just quit, gave up, stayed in bed tomorrow, that all the things on my plate would either get taken care of by someone else or would just sit there until they didn't matter anymore. So why do I get all stressed out about it?

Our entire staff took the Gallup StrengthsFinder Test about a year ago and I discovered (shocker) that one of my major strengths is RESPONSIBILITY. That means I feel like I have to get the job done, no matter what, because others are depending on me. And although this is a great strength in the eyes of my employer, it's a real negative when I feel that about everything set in front of me. It can't possibly be true that if I don't finish everything, the world will end and/or thousands even millions will die. I recognize that even if I do complete all these tasks, the world will still end and thousands even millions will die. Not soon, probably, but still...

So here I am struggling with my basic personality (God-given) and the knowledge that I can't possibly do everything and God has never intended for me to do everything. Now I just have to convince everyone else that this is true.

Responsible

What if all the “responsible” people went on strike? I mean those people who see a chore that needs doing and do it; the people who work overtime and weekends without pay so that deadlines are met. They aren’t motivated by money; they don’t worry about getting their “me” time; they simply feel a sense of responsibility to get the job done. Of course, these people could never go on strike and stand by watching an event fail or a mess turn into a health/safety risk or a task sit undone. They are compelled to step in.

But what about the “irresponsible” people? How can they let things not happen or allow the "responsible" folk to always carry the load? Why do they see something that needs to get done and wonder who will do it without thinking of doing it themselves? If the “responsible” went on strike, the “irresponsible” would simply shrug and blame the strike for the failings, instead of stepping in and getting it done.

It seems to me that the “irresponsible” are almost always the ones who come up with the events and the tasks; they make the messes and assign chores. And yet, they rarely step in to actually do the work. And so the “responsible” continue on with the labor and grow bitter and burn out and drift away.

I know, I know –

“I shouldn’t compare myself to others.”

“You can’t work your way to heaven.”

“It isn’t my place to judge.”

“We are all given different gifts.”

"Sounds like bitterness..."

But it always seems like the “irresponsible” who say these things.