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Work and Play

Guest post by: Jim Stovall

Article Overview: I will always remember George Burns stating, "If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life." George Burns enjoyed his life and his work for a century. If you enjoy what you do, you can substitute the "Thank God it's Friday" club for the "Thank God it's Monday" club. Beyond what you do for a living, you will receive tremendous benefits if you enjoy the people you work with.

Work and Play

I will always remember George Burns stating, "If you love your job, you will never work a day in your life."

George Burns enjoyed his life and his work for a century.

If you enjoy what you do, you can substitute the "Thank God it's Friday" club for the "Thank God it's Monday"

club. Beyond what you do for a living, you will receive tremendous benefits if you enjoy the people you work

with.

For many years, some people in the corporate world have tried to discourage friends working together or having

any connections with coworkers outside of the workplace. While personal relationships on the job can create

challenges, they can also be a powerful motivator. In a recent corporate survey of employees nationally, it

was determined that if you have a close friend at work, you are 30% more likely to have on-time attendance,

you will be 50% more productive on the job, and will have 70% higher job satisfaction.

One of the great privileges I have in my professional life is that of getting to work with people I count

among my friends. This often blurs the line between work and play.

Each year, we close our company for 12 days which includes the week prior to Christmas until after New Year's.

These 12 days off have become something I look forward to each year. Inevitably, when we close the office

for the holidays, for the first three or four days I am struck by the fact that I am burned out and never want

to work again. For the next four or five days, I really enjoy my time off; and for the last several days of

our holiday, I can't wait to get back to work. This phenomenon occurs annually because I love what I do, and

I admire and enjoy the people I work with.

If you have friends at work, you are indeed fortunate, and you should cherish those relationships. If you

don't have friends at work, take every opportunity to turn your colleagues into friends. This does not mean

you do not treat people professionally when it is called for in the workplace; but, instead, it means that

you can begin to develop friendships at work, enhancing your professional life.

As you go through your day today, find ways to make your work more enjoyable through the things you do and

the people you work with.

Today's the day!

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Article Tags: friends at work, George Burns, Jim Stovall, love your job



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