Explore the struggles of hard work, recognition, and success with insights on Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, and more. Discover how appreciation impacts happiness and career growth.
Why Do We Get Up Every Day to Work?
Are you also affiliated with an employer? Do you, like many, get up each day in the moonlight to walk your dog, feed your cats, or take care of your goldfish? Perhaps you have children to look after, or a partner who prepares your lunch for the next day? Otherwise, you might have to make it yourself, or grab a greasy bite in a messy company canteen. What drives us humans to get out of bed every day and go to work? Is it the salary that sustains us, enabling us to fill our lives with other activities, or do you have children in education whose studies you must finance to help them secure a good future?
What Are We Working For?
What are we really working for? Do you still believe that by working hard, you can climb the career ladder and secure a better position with a higher salary? Is your employer one of those who dangles the proverbial sausage in front of you each day? The one that hangs just out of reach, tempting you but always just beyond your grasp? Every time you think your promotion is near, you’re hit with disappointment. Someone else seems to be that little bit better in your employer’s eyes, even though you’re honest and work hard. Surely, that hard work and dedication should lead to well-deserved rewards, just as it has for your colleagues, doesn’t it?
Michael Jackson made it to the top through hard work, didn’t he?
You watch stars like Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Rihanna, Diana Ross, Jessie J, Miley Cyrus, and so many others pass by every night on your newly purchased television, and you think, "I should be able to do the same." Every day, you strive to impress your employer with your performance, yet the recognition you deserve seems to lag behind. Fortunately, you earn enough in your current role to get by and even enjoy a little extra now and then. But have you ever wondered if you’re in the right position within the company? Are you working harder than your colleagues who do similar jobs? Could it be that your employer is content with you staying exactly where you are in the company, while someone else reaps the rewards?
Have You Considered Your Own Profitability?
Have you ever thought about your personal profitability? How does it compare with your colleagues? Our egos are intricately linked to the work we do. The more people applaud us, the happier we feel in our work. Just like pop stars, we live to some extent on the appreciation and recognition we receive from others—our employers, colleagues, or the public. The applause motivates us to work even harder. But in the end, is the success that others shower on us enough to bring true happiness, or is it just a by-product of external approval?
Will Rihanna continue to perform because of the applause, or because of the money?
Do all those well-known stars and CEOs of multinationals get up every morning to bask in the appreciation they receive from employees or fans? Or do they get up because of the large sums deposited into their bank accounts each month? If I’m being honest, I can’t answer that for everyone, but I often feel that too many people are sacrificing their lives for the "glory" that others give them.
Have You Ever Thought About Janis Joplin?
What about Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, and Brian Jones (of The Rolling Stones)? They all passed away before the age of 27. You may also know colleagues who passed away young or left their lives behind far too soon. In my view, they were often people who were striving for success, and from whom a manager or employer made a lot of money. They were applauded by audiences, bystanders, or perhaps colleagues, for giving others what they needed to feel fulfilled. Yes, they had a lot of money, but were they happy? I personally think that happiness cannot be judged by the reactions of others. It must come from within. And happiness—whether you have it or not—is something available to us all.
Can You Command Happiness Through Hard Work for a Boss?
If you feel that the person who should be appreciating your efforts often fails to do so, perhaps it’s time to seriously consider changing jobs or employers. There’s more work in the world than you might think, and in my opinion, there are plenty of employers who understand the importance of recognising the contributions that others make to their success. My late mother often said to me, "Ton, hard work doesn’t break the best horse, but the lack of sincere appreciation does." Don’t keep searching for appreciation in isolation. Demand it, or at the very least, consider putting the brakes on working too hard for a company that doesn’t value your contributions.Take time to enjoy your life before retirement. Don’t forget that you, too, deserve to appreciate life. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this!
