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sandwich. They mostly traveled and looked for improving, creating, advancing and succeeding
work. People in the towns and in the farmlands make any work enjoyable. Sometimes the best
would find some kind of work for them to do. They friends you make are those you accomplish
wanted to earn their way and keep their self- respect. something with. And sometimes just working with
people you like and who like you is enough.
During World War II in the 1940s, America did not Work-life balance is a current concern and
win the war, that was the result of the combined understandably so. “All work and no play makes
‘Allies’. We were a major part of that alliance. But Jack a dull boy” said another philosopher. Family,
we were the primary, and in most cases, the only, recreation, distractions and work all have a place in
source for the ships, planes, tanks, cannons, guns, our lives. How much you do of each is an individual
ammunition, medicine, clothing and food for choice. But, recognize that your focus is your future.
Europe, England, and Russia as well as for many The individual who swings that balance a little more
other countries. to the work side, who is focusing more directly on
their work, who applies themself to it more
Americans built more factories, machines and war diligently, who spends a little more time learning
materials, then all the allies combined. We were the and developing their work knowledge and skill are
“Allies Quartermaster”. And “Rosie the Riveter’ almost certainly going to succeed and advance more
proved that the work ethic was not just a man’s than others in their crafts and professions. Famous
culture, but the American culture. author and speaker Zig Ziglar wrote, “The harder I
work, the luckier I get”.
When the war was over, America’s “Marshall Plan’
produced millions of tons of food, medicine, At the end of the 2008 recession, I attended a
clothing et al, to feed Europe. Americans continued seminar that included a panel of industrial engineers.
to provide those badly- needed products for over 10 They spoke on the expansion of unemployment
benefits and the effect it has on employees who were
years. provided up to 5 years of continuous unemployment

Work is the foundation of this country. We are not a benefits. They reported that of individuals who are
top down government-controlled economy. It’s the unemployed for two years, 18% will never again
work that you individually create. Combined with work on a full-time job for a full year. Of those who
have been unemployed for 5 years, 21% will never
the work I create, combined with the team we work work a full-time job again and 8% will never work
with and then with other teams in other companies in on any job again. They also reported another
other industries and in other states. That combined interesting statistic; approximately 60% of all
total is the American economy; dependent on the marriages occurred between those who attended
individual work initiated by that first person, you. school together or worked together.

No one hates work. All energy applied to move or The future of work will be full of change as it
alter anything is defined as work. Working on your develops. referring again to the great depression and
hobby is work. Building a doghouse, making a cake “being on-line”, it no longer means work lines or
with your son or daughter, or studying for a test is bread lines. It now refers to eyeballs on monitors and
work. It’s not work people hate, it’s the surrounding screens and that will be an ever-expanding
conditions that they may not like. development throughout the 21st century.
The business owner who focuses most of his or her
Doing work you don’t like or aren’t good at can be life on the work of keeping their business going and
pretty unlikable. But doing the work you like and are growing, is multiplying their individual productivity
good at, is the surest way to success. The purpose of a thousand-fold by employing all the suppliers,
work is not just to make a living, the right work can subcontractors, bankers, local state and federal
develop your abilities and expand your governments, consulting firms and employees.
accomplishments. It can broaden your world.,
change who you are and philosophers say it can God bless those who do the work and God bless
grow your soul. those who provide it.

What makes work more enjoyable? Doing work you Bill Cook
like and are good at, having control over what and Human Resource Associates
how you do it, freedom to think and act, developing,

25 Alabama Propane Gas Association | September / October 2020