There are certain core principles by which we each live our lives. We often might not even be aware of them. But each of us have certain guiding principles, often in the form of beliefs, that inform our decision-making, our planning, and our goals. We also have certain core principles that are specific to our business life and to what defines success for each of us.

Some of my core principles for success, taught to me by my grandfather Charlie, include honor and respect for the work I’m engaged in, no matter what it is. Next is a willingness to always go the extra mile, to excel simply for the sake of excelling. My third primary principle is to always work in preparation for the next level of advancement. In other words, to work with a tangible plan for my future success, to have a goal that support your upward trajectory.  

It is so essential to honor and respect your work and your business life. This forms the foundation for my other two guiding principles. No matter what kind or character of work you have chosen or wish to choose, it is important to someone, and should be important to you as well.  It might surprise you to consider how your work favorably impacts those around you and the larger world. Whether you are a street sweeper, a hot dog vendor, a fine artist, a mom, a dog trainer, a banker, or anything else, your work improves the lives of others in ways you can’t really imagine.

Don’t waste your time and effort on any work that you feel you can’t respect or honor, as it will deplete your energy, damage your image of and belief in yourself – your self-love and appreciation – and dishonor those who are employing you. This, in turn, can never be a formula for success, as it simply doesn’t put you in position to bring your A game. Demonstrating honor – to ourselves and others – is most often through action rather than words.

If you find yourself in any of the following, you might not be honoring and respecting your work:

1. Showing up late or being unreliable
2. Failing to offer to help when a bit of extra effort would make a difference to your work and your employer
3. Failing to offer help to your coworkers
4. Speaking ill, even in jest, about your employer
5. Failing to be a good sport in acknowledging or congratulating others for their success
6. Failing to acquire the necessary skills or training that would make you a more valuable asset to your employer
7. Failing to be authentic or compassionate
8. Failing to ask for or offer mentorship
9. Failing to be authentically and compassionately honest
10. Humiliating or embarrassing others
11. Failing to be courteous in words and actions, even applying this to inappropriate use of cell phones

Overall, the best way to honor and respect your employer and your work is to respect those around you. Honoring and respecting others is the best way to also improve others’ opinions of you, as your actions hold up a mirror in which you personally are reflected. Basic manner and proper etiquette, both in business and in your own life, can be the difference between being seen as an employee or worker of future potential, and once who is simply putting in the time, stuck in a permanent rut, not worthy of consideration for advancement.

Honoring and respecting your work means to work because of the work itself.  In the words of Satchel Paige, “Work like you don’t need the money!”

Each morning make a new and fresh decision to honor and respect everyone around you. Each day is a new beginning and is worthy of a daily fresh start!

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