Steve Marr.org

“Everybody’s doing it” may tempt you to join the “everybody” crowd even if it leads you to practice an unethical or deceitful practice. King Solomon wrote, "If sinners entice you, do not consent." (Proverbs 1:10, NASB)

First, not everybody is engaging in unethical practices. Second, deceitful practices have a way of surfacing to create embarrassment or cost you a key customer. 

We may rationalize some practices. For example, 25% of fish sold in restaurants is substituted for fish other than what is listed on the menu.   Mako shark looks, feels, and tastes a lot like swordfish and has been substituted for it.  Changing out the lower cost shark may be common; but it is unethical. 

I received a comment that attacked business people as gamblers. The person said, “There is no difference between a business startup and playing in a casino; both are just a gamble.” I responded that there is a big difference between the two.  Here’s why.

Does your personal life affect your business performance? Some say that what you do on your own time is your personal business.

Think about the tragic situation of Tiger Woods. He was on top of the world as an athlete of the decade. By outward appearances he lived the “perfect life.” However, smoldering below the surface were alleged affairs that set in motion a night that would unravel everything. Now, he has dropped off of the top 50 golfers’ list. Would his golf game have suffered so much if he had maintained a stable personal life? I don’t think so. The distractions from his personal life affected his business in the same way it would affect yours. Our personal lives directly affect our professional performance.

I have worked with people who drank excessively on occasion. They defended their actions by saying, “when I drink after hours, that’s my business, not yours.” However, when someone comes into work with a hangover and becomes an unproductive employee; it becomes the manager’s business.

With the pressures of business, we can easily become overcommitted. If you make commitments, but consistently are unable to fulfill them, then you are breaking your workplace promises. King Solomon warned, "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows" (Proverbs 20:25 NIV).

Commitments are missed primarily for three reasons.

First, we get sloppy, we fail to write down commitments and forget. I write mine into my daily planner and schedule. If I promised to get back to someone today, the commitment stays on the list until completed.

When we are paid to do a job, the boss believes the work assigned is important and warrants your efforts. King Solomon wrote "In all labor there is profit" (Proverbs 14:23 NASB). Therefore, any work or job has some significance.  

Any job that produces a paycheck is valuable, to you and your family. If we're bored with our work, we need to stay focused.  
 
A new paper delivery person may think the work matters little. However, those receiving the paper may take action based on receiving that paper. No delivery today and perhaps one person fails to get a job that was advertised, another reads a storm warning and is careful while another reads about a medical condition and seeks treatment before it’s too late. To these people, the simple delivery of a paper was important even when you don't see the result.

We need to work, by faith, in the belief all work does have meaning. We may not like the work or hate the job but we need to understand the work is important, to someone and the Lord.  
Our responsibility is to be diligent and to follow through faithfully with our tasks. Many people have toiled at jobs they felt were useless, but they still were diligent and put forth a consistent effort. After time, they were promoted and received raises, based on the long-term efforts.   
 
If you want more responsibility, ask your boss what additional projects or work you could take on. Most bosses would be delighted, and you will then grow your career.