Our spiritual attributes, much like our physical characteristics are highly visible and apparent to an observer. The content of a heart can be seen in the way a person behaves; their habits, and responses. Actions speak louder than words!

Work Ethic and Performance

What does your work look like? What are your works? Actions speak louder than words in the work world. You are said to have a good work ethic if you display: reliability, dedication, productivity, cooperation and character. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a frontline employee, responsible for budgeting billions or juggling your tips to make ends meet, your work ethic is key to your performance.

Do your performance evaluations reflect your work product? If all of those you interact with on a regular basis at work were to score your performance based on established norms for your job description, how would you rate? Can you be relied upon to be dedicated to the tasks? Is your productivity consistent? Do you cooperate with others for the sake of the work, regardless of your feelings about them personally? Does your character dictate that you produce high-quality work, always striving to improve the outcome?

Sit with that for a moment. Given the tools that you possess to tackle your current work responsibilities score yourself. Rate your performance on a scale from one to four, with four being outstanding, three being great, two being good, and one mediocre. Use the categories of Reliability, Dedication, Productivity, Cooperation and Character. Refer to the article referenced above by Erin Schreine. Think about ways to illustrate your assessment with actual examples visible to others. Use more than your own internal “seems right” to come up with your scores. Remember actions speak louder than words.

Think about your final score. What did it reveal about your work ethic? In what areas can you make changes? The categories on this assessment actually correlate to your performance because a link exists between work ethic and performance. To have optimal performance at work your work ethic is key. Look at the accounts in the article. It shows how highly successful, individuals from various disciplines, excelled by having a tremendous work ethic. Actions speak louder than words!

Conscientious about your work? Focused on ways to improve the bottom line of the business? Have an excellent work ethic? Outstanding!

The Higher Calling

Let’s look at how your work ethic factors in at your other job. The one you were designed to perform, the higher calling where God wants you to do well.

There is an employer that has supplied each of us with tools. He has given us an environment to work in, He has given us a way to engage said tools alongside others. He has given us a job description and a manual.

In the manual your employer defines reasonable service. Notice, beginning in Romans 12:1 and continue through the entire chapter to what the Great Overseer would have us to do. Using the same areas of: reliability, dedication, productivity, cooperation and character evaluate your work ethic toward your assignment as detailed in Mark 12: 30-31.

Can God rely upon you to consistently treat others with love? Can He point to your behaviors to show others what it looks like to be dedicated to His will? Can He illustrate how you have produced love for others, especially in unlovely situations? Have you cooperated with others in a loving way to get His kingdom work done, even if they were not likeable? Does your performance reveal that you are doing the right (godly) thing even when no one is looking, because it is the right thing to do?

Rank your performance in these areas from one to four. One might ask, why?  We are commanded by our employer to show ourselves approved. When we fail to seek Him and His ways of doing and being right, we are likely to miss something.

Our outcomes in the secular world are impacted by our work ethic, it follows that our outcomes related to the work of God are impacted by our work ethic too.

What are your thoughts about the tools given to you by our Creator? Do you appreciate that He has given you what you need for success as it relates to your job description? Perhaps you are not using your tools; your gifting, in the proper manner. We are all equipped to carry out the tasks in the manual. It is important to read the manual, seek guidance and practice what we learn. We can always ask the Creator. We can also associate with and mimic those that are fulfilling the job description. Actions speak louder than words. Read the parable about the overseer and the workers.

I have written a workbook that will certainly help you on your way to walking in purpose. It is called, “What do they think we are, peanuts or something? An Interactive Guide to Fulfilling Your Purpose in Love on Purpose.” If you need some help in this area, order the book. Help is available and just a few clicks away.

As we move closer to Resurrection Sunday, review the Creator’s vision statement for your life. Revisit Jesus’ mission for coming to the Earth. Realign your work ethic. Redirect your performance of works, not only at work. Read the Bible!

Take Inventory and Take Action! Actions speak louder than words!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”