Harwork Is A Privilege

“Hard work is a privilege” smiled my Peloton instructor. Meanwhile I was sweating my butt off and my muscles were burning, yet I peddled faster and turned up the resistance. My stomach was inching its way up and into my throat…

It’s true, though, hard work is a privilege. 

The first time I understood the privilege of hard work, I was at the ripe old age of 24. At that point in my life, I had been in and out of hospitals and undergone several surgeries.

After months of this new medical lifestyle, it was finally time for me to move back out on my own and start a desk-job.

I rented a handicap apartment. I signed the paperwork but that was all the heavy lifting I could do. My parents moved me in while I sat on the sofa with my foot elevated (it was painful to have it below my heart). As my mom and dad started hanging curtains I started crying. They looked at me puzzled. 

“Why are you crying?” my dad asked. 

“Because I can’t help!” I wailed. 

It sucked to be immobile. My privileges had been striped away because of my accident.

Fast forward...

Have you ever lost a job? I have. During the downturn in 2009 I was let go. I had no prospects and life started feeling extremely gloomy.

If someone would just give me a chance!

When I finally made it back to a paycheck I was so excited. I wanted a seat at the table so badly! When I finally got that seat, I was always the happiest person at every management meeting (which of course drove some of my cranky colleagues crazy). 

Don’t you want a seat at the table? 

Don’t you have something great to offer? 

Sure the meetings, especially the zoom meetings, can be mindlessly boring but not if you reframe your gratitude and see the potential in what you are doing as a team!

Work is a gift. Hard work is a privilege.

This is my call to you to find your gratitude NOW and not because of life’s hardships (like physical disabilities and the loss of work).

What will the rest of your day look like if you frame every moment to be viewed as a privilege, especially the hard stuff? Try it for a day. You might be surprised how it transforms you from the inside out. 

Did you know that your attitude is contagious? What kind of attitude do you want to spread?

Here are some examples on how to reframe your thoughts...

Old Thought Process: I don't have time to juggle kids and work.

New Thought Process: I have kids AND work! Yay me!

Old Thought Process: I don't have kids.

New Thought Process: I have opportunities with time and money to give back! Yay me!

Old: I don't want to go that meeting.

New: I have a seat at the table! Yay me!

Old: How can I afford that grocery bill?

New: Shout "Woohoo!" when the checker tells you the total and then say "I get to go make more money!"

My point is… with a little effort you can frame anything so it serves you. So do it! And remember hard work is a privilege!