Why Work?

Why work is a question I have heard many times. Another closely related question is “Why go that extra mile?”. In the corporate world (9 to 5 jobs), you could say people are conditioned in such a way that to be noticed and to get anywhere you have to have good reviews and appraisals. The first place it is truly noticed is in school where we received grades and awards. The better you were the higher the grade and if you were among the best you would receive an award. Let’s see how it is in the corporate world. 

Along with reviews sometimes came a raise in compensation and or maybe a bonus. Under some circumstances, there might even be a promotion. One can draw a conclusion that while we work the employers are programming their employees using accolades and money as stimuli. As you step your way up in command on the company ladder those accolades and raises do not occur as often and the “higher ups” known as executives begin to expect that level of potential of work from you at all times. You really have to do something spectacular to receive any accolades. You arrive to a point in this growth potential of working for accolades and money that if you do “not” maintain high level of work you could lose your job.

Reaching a plateau

Eventually, you reach that plateau in accolades and money where there is no place to grow. You reached your highest “growth potential”. This is a situation where you can become stagnant in your height of money and accolades even though you are doing outstanding work.

Your choice is to either remain in this position or seek employment elsewhere. This employment can be in the same company but in most cases, it is outside. You definitely do not want to put yourself in a position where you are involuntarily forced to leave a company. This would put a blemish on your work record. Does any of this sound familiar? Has this occurred ever to you or to someone you know? So, you can say that when you are working for money and accolades you reach a level where you can go no farther and you ask what is left. So, why work. Is the answer simply to get money and accolades?

Network Marketing

Why work – Money and Accolades

In network marketing, I have learned that we do not work for money and accolades. The money and accolades have become measuring sticks of how much value we have provided. Ray Higdon a while back made a statement that “you have to work for things that will not limit your growth”. An example of where some people appear to be making a mistake is that they are working to be on stage and or to be a top earner of five, six, or more figures.

Reaching a level

Once you reach this level then what is next? You have reached your growth potential. Ray Higdon went on to say that these goals should be bi-products of your work that is making impact, producing, and making a difference. Indirectly, when I was working in the corporate world I was making an impact and making a difference, however that was not what I was working to do. It was all about accolades and money thus limiting my “growth potential”. And of course while I was doing all this I was learning and implementing new things. The things I did made a difference in how others worked as well as increased the return on investment (ROI) for the company. Nothing was for me except the accolades and money. Of course, the money was used for to keep my so it was not a loss until I hit the ceiling.

Why Work

In network marketing, I find not much has changed except that the ROI is now for me. My return on investment is totally based on the impact and difference I am making in the lives of others. I am adding value. My accolades occur when I see others prosper because I made a difference. My growth is no longer limited and there is no limit to the measuring stick. I have not limited myself to being on the stage or just being a five or six figure earner.

Questions You Have To Ask Yourself

The question you now have to ask yourself is “Why do I do the work I do?”. The answer you reach should include answers to the following questions:

• Is my work making an impact? On whom?
• Is my work making a difference? To whom?

If you have answered “no” to either or both questions, it means you are limiting your growth potential. What changes will you make so your answer becomes “yes’?

If you are making an impact or difference, but you don’t know on whom or to whom, how can you really determine the impact of difference is being made?

Are you making a difference if you don’t see it in someone else’s life?

Your growth potential is directly related to making an impact on someone else. If you cannot see that you are making a positive difference in the life of someone you know or have recently met, what can you change in your life to be more directly impactful?

If you got something out of this post or if you just want to engage (network), leave me a comment. All comments are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Stay tuned