“Build a good name. Keep your name clean. Don’t make compromises, don’t worry about making a bunch of money or being successful — be concerned with doing good work.” – William S. Burroughs
Years ago, doing good work was something lauded by organizations and businesses across our nation.
My grandfather was an incredibly wise man, and a firm believer in that notion.
Growing up, he always instilled in me that a strong work ethic – one bursting with morals and character – would lead to absolute fulfillment.
He recognized such fulfillment as one of the greatest successes in life.
Charles F. Glassman once remarked, “Some say if you want success surround yourself with successful people. I say if you want true and lasting success surround yourself with people of integrity.”
Unfortunately today, that’s not easily achieved.
It seems that doing good work in practice, has been replaced with doing good work in theory. Today, society seems to be littered with such a workforce. People who want all the benefits a job has to offer, but they aren’t necessarily prepared to work for it.
For those of us still practicing the art of doing good work, we’re often left frustrated and discouraged. Especially when we’re asked to compromise our work ethic in order to accommodate those who simply aren’t prepared to do good work.
John D. MacDonald said, “…there are people who try to look as if they are doing a good and thorough job, and then there are the people who actually damn well do it, for its own sake.”
Be the person who damn well does it.
It may not always be popular, and you might find yourself being asked to compromise your standards to accommodate the shortcomings of others.
But “…if you build a good name, eventually, that name will be its own currency.” – William S. Burroughs
