This is an article from the New York Times Small Business Section I found really interesting. It makes me think about what my attitude is as I go about my business each day and puts it into perspective with how others view their daily work life. What is your attitude towards work? Is it a career or just a job?

Is It O.K. to Be a Mediocre Employee?

By JAY GOLTZ

I have gained tremendous insight reading the comments on this blog. One in particular really struck me recently. It came in response to a post that I had written quite a while ago, “The Dirty Little Secret of Successful Companies,” and it illustrates the huge difference in perspective that can exist between the owners of companies and their employees. Here is the comment:

There is nothing wrong with being an average (mediocre) employee. Not everyone aspires to be in management. If the person meets the requirements of their current job, and they like the job and want to stay in the job, so be it. Stop trying to force people to get to the next level. The reality is that work is not the most important thing in everyone’s lives. People have more important things in their life than work. Work is simply a means to get the money we need to pay the mortgage and our other bills. Work is a low-priority event for most people. I’m only willing to do the bare minimum that it takes to get a paycheck every two weeks. As long as I am meeting the requirements of my job, than that is good enough. Don’t expect any more of me because I will not be a slave to any company. — Jo-Ann Youngblood, Tulsa, OK