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"they wouldn't call it work...."

My father did everything he could to teach me what he knew. One lesson he ALWAYS pushed was how to have patience while doing something you don't necessarily want to do.

"They wouldn't call it work if it was fun, numbnuts." The nickname is not embellished, he often drove his points home with this one.

I would spend countless hours of my youth on some project that he had assigned. I would curse him under my breath the entire time. Why would anyone care about leveling a part of the backyard that was deemed "a little off" ?!?!?!?! It's a yard. Damn. It was his nature to create work for himself....he enjoyed it.

As I became an adult and entered into the working world, I saw many around me that had a different approach. "If you don't want to do it, don't do it." It was revolutionary and freeing. I also noticed these people didn't get very far in life. They seemed to be lacking in many areas.

There had to be a middle ground.

As I have become more successful I have learned that one must push into those things that are unpleasant, and have the patience of Job. Many of life's obligations are about as logical or fun as leveling a back yard.

But....as I have enjoyed more success, I have also noticed the ability to CHOOSE the elimination of many unpleasant things. I don't advocate shirking any responsibilities, but I relish the elimination of some of life's less enjoyable tasks.

So...I would never have been able to reach the level of success I have, were it not for my father pushing me to be accountable and take on life's less savory tasks.

But I've noticed something as my father and I have both grown older. We are both proud of his approach and the outcome in me, but he has started to learn how to say "Screw that, not going to do it."......that makes me proud.

Comments

Unknown said…
There's that old saying "Any job worth doing, is worth doing well." Problem is, most jobs aren't worth doing. ;-) Seriously, though, one of my favorite books "The Richest Man in Babylon" has a section on this very thing. I am glad your dad made you level the lawn, numbnuts.
July 29, 2010 at 1:25 PM
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