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200 words, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, growing up, hard work, health, integrity, job, joy, life, memories, passion, Purpose
Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. – Thomas Jefferson
I remember reciting: “I Promise to do my best, to be true to myself, my beliefs and Canada. I will take action for a better world and respect the Brownie Law.”
When I became an adult and joined the workforce, it became clear that it was easier to do my by best when I loved my job.
I didn’t do well in jobs I didn’t enjoy.
I worked in the housekeeping department at a hospital once.
I hated it.
I felt it was below me.
I barely squeaked by when management arranged surprise quality control inspections.
Yet even back then, my conscience nagged at me. I was fortunate enough to have a paying job, but I wasn’t really earning my pay.
Looking back, I would have fired me.
And so I imagined that God would be the next patient in the room I was cleaning.
It worked.
Subsequent inspections resulted in 100% ratings.
Even when you have a job you love, it’s likely there will be parts of your job you don’t like.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
What motivates you to your best?
talktodiana 
If I like the person I’m doing the job for, it makes me work harder. 🙂
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Me too Rachel! ❤
Diana xo
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Diana just being in the moment and feeling grateful for any job that I am lucky to have. Although when I was young, if not inspired I moved on because I knew I could not give it my full attention. With age comes wisdom thankfully. Now I choose jobs that make me happy.
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Sounds very wise Kath! ❤
Diana xo
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Pride, Diana. 🙂
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That’s a good one Mark! ❤
Diana xo
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Thank you, Diana. ❤ xo
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Diana, Good ;point at the end.
It is not the job that gives us value, it is we who give value to the job.
-Alan
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A perfect summary Alan! ❤
Diana xo
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Very cool. I used to sell office furniture. It was soul-slaying, working to sell, focused on profits and percentages. But each encounter was also an opportunity to make someone smile, to share a laugh, to connect on a human level where desk chairs did’t matter. I think you know exactly what I mean. 🙂
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I do know what you mean D! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story! ❤
Diana xo
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True~ though even when we love what we do, and we try our best, stuff can happen at work.
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Cool, I have made the same Brownie promise.
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Awesome!
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What a great thought to change an attitude Diana. Brilliant.
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Thanks Colleen. ❤
Diana xo
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Another thing I remember from a church years ago asked, “If Jesus were to visit you would you be embarrassed by what was in your home or would you have anything to hide? That was when I stopped reading some questionable books – :O We should always work as if working for God and live as if Jesus is coming back today.
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Patty I love how true to you are to what you believe! ❤
Diana xo
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thank you Diane, I try – I thank God He doesn’t give up on us and always equips us to live the way we should.
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Great post Diana. I am sure you are doing your best in the new job you have. It is such a gift to find our passion and get paid for it! I love Counselling, I never wake up and wish I was somewhere else. I am so grateful for that. Maybe we should imagine that everyone we meet just maybe God, or Buddha and treat them accordingly. 🙂
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Thank you Karen and yes, maybe we should… ❤
Diana xo
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I think there are many ways that I am moved to do my best. What is interesting for me is when I have difficulty giving my all. There’s probably two main things: tasks that eat my energy and not being appreciated.
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That makes total sense Ian. I’m so happy you have found something that feeds you. ❤
Diana xo
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Oh boy, am I ever onside with that one, Ian…
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Diana … Years ago, during a job interview, the interviewer said: “You don’t look like the go-to person at work.” (The one that bosses turn to, knowing that person will get it done and done well.) I took a good look at what I was doing, like you did, and looked at areas I could improve on.
The end result may shock you. I wound up liking my job much better, being appreciated, given a nice raise and a position I wanted there. Plus, my boss passed on to another editor that if something needed to be covered, that Judy “was the go-to person.” You have no idea how much that praise lifted my spirits and made me work even harder. ❤
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So interesting that someone would say that at an interview Judy. What does a go-to person look like?
I guess when you’re proud of your work, you do end up liking your job better Judy. ❤
Diana xo
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Let’s see … what would a go-to person look like? Maybe wearing some sports regalia, kicking a soccer ball and bouncing a basketball as you try to do a rim shot off the wastepaper basket. 😉 I didn’t do any of those things.
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Oh boy, I’m in trouble then… 😉
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I think the same can be say for being a parent if you love being a parent you will be more connected to your children, this I say as I have known a few parents who were more into making themselves happy and found their children to be annoying and sucking the life out of them, not something I get as you know I love being a mum and nanna
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Yes I do know that about you Jo-Anne. ❤
Diana xo
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“Looking back I would have fired me”
Now THAT is honesty!
It is amazing what a more mature perspective can bring.
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haha, that wasn’t the only job I would have fired me from Elizabeth! 😉
Diana xo
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If I know doing a job activity that I don’t particularily like (such as last 3 wks. since I’m covering someone on medical leave), but the service/product outcome is to help several clients, then it’s all worthwhile.
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A great way to look at it Jean – good for you! ❤
Diana xo
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“What motivates you to your best?”
The desire to be the best and a goal of highest quality in all things. And something along the lines of your opening Jefferson quote… the idea that maybe the details of your life matter.
There’s a saying among actors: “There are no small roles [jobs], just small actors [people].”
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I love the idea of ‘maybe the details of your life matter’ Smitty. ❤
Diana xo
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God is waiting in the next room, would freak me out. Just saying!
I ask myself instead “Is this my best self?” We all know when we are out of integrity and letting ourselves down … when we check in!
xo
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That’s a great way to do it Val! ❤
Diana xo
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Wonderful message, Diana! And I was a Brownie, too LOL
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I should have surmised that Kelly – you’re sure keeping that promise!!
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lol I try!
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“I promise, to do my best: to God, The Queen and my Country…
To help other people every day, but especially those at home. ”
Obviously a different vintage, and was the Girl Guide Promise but, either way, it still works with your addition. Thanks for this Diana: )
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Actually Deb, your version is closer to what I said as well. I got kicked out of the Girl Guides two weeks in. I didn’t want to be part of it anymore – thinking it uncool – so I wore jeans instead of the skirt and so the leader says to my mom, “I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but she needs to wear the whole uniform.” My first public act of rebellion, I guess… ❤
Diana xo
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Actually, now that I’ve read it again, I realised that I left out a bit.
I promise to do my best, to do my duty; to God, the Queen and my country…
Lol, how things have changed, eh?
They’re so busy trying to get people to join these days, the uniform has a LOT more flexibility built in; )
Sucks when people feel the need to be Important, doesn’t it?; )
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yup. Recently read a quote that went something like this: It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. 😉
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I love this, I’ve always believed that there is honor in everyone’s work. Be the best at what you do, no matter what that is !! 💕 I’ve seen this work so many times in my life. Thanks, Diana.
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I agree! Thanks Van. ❤
Diana xo
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This is a good lesson for us Diana – when we do less than our best, we cheat ourselves.
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And others. Thank you Bill. ❤
Diana xo
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