If you serve you will never work

A Paradigm Shift

One evening a scholar was addressing the participants on the concept of work culture. One of the participants asked the following question:

"I am a senior manager of Materials Department and I joined an organization 25 years ago as an Engineer Trainee and over the last 25 years I have gone through every experience in the organization.

During the initial part of my career, the job was very challenging and interesting.

However, all those exciting days are gone since I do not find my work any more interesting because there is nothing new in my job. I am now feeling bored because I am doing a routine job.

However, Sir, I am living in the same house for over forty years, I am the son for the same parents for over forty five years, I am the father for the same children for the past ten years and the husband for the same lady for the past twenty years!

In these personal roles I do not feel bored Please tell me why I am bored of the routine in the office and not in the house?"

The response from Scholar was very interesting and convincing. He asked the executive the question:

"Please tell me for whom does your Mother cook ?"

The executive replied that obviously the mother cooks for others.

Then the Scholar said that the mother "Serves" others and because of this service mindedness, she is not feeling tired or bored. But in an office,we "Work" and not "Serve". Anything we consider, as service will not make us feel bored. That is difference between Serving and Working.

He asked the executive to consider his work as service and not merely a work !! Whenever you put a larger context around your work and see a broader meaning for your work, you will take interest in your work and it will make a very big difference in your internal energy.

Attitude Matters !!!

If you think you are working for the organization you will get frustrated. If you feel you are doing a service you will find happiness. After all, doing what you like is freedom but liking what you do is happiness!

Victor Menezes, former CEO of Citibank in his final mail to Citibank staff worldwide said: "If you like what you do you will never work for a day in your life".

Long ago (over 15 years back) one acquaintance told me this: "When you have something to do, never think that you "have to" do it. That is forcing yourself to do something and you will not be able to put in your 100% into that job. Always tune your mind to say "want to do it". See the magic when "have to do" becomes "want to do".

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