Uncork Your Work Ethic

Pass It On is a new, bi-weekly peek inside the heart and mind of Francis Pass… 

Listen:

Click the play button to listen to Francis Pass tell this story.

My father would often tell me, “Son, in order to get the things you want, you’re gonna have to work for ‘em.”

And believe you me, he meant it.

My father was a lineman for the Southern Illinois Electric Co-op, down in Dongola.

Although I never saw him perform his work, I know he had a strong work ethic… because I saw it in the work he did at home.

He also expected that same work ethic from me and my brother Mike.

I suspect that, after I shipped off to Vietnam in 1967, he was the one who instilled that same work ethic in my youngest brother Richard and my baby sister Camilla.

When I returned home from the service, I had an encounter with Mr. N.A. Lukens.

Mr. Lukens asked me about my life plans after the Army. I told him I loved the Army and was thinking of reenlisting.

Little did I know he was about to pop the cork on my future.

“Junior…” (that’s what everybody called me back then) “Air Conditioning is in its infancy and during your lifetime, you will drive cars, go to stores, live in homes, and all will have Air Conditioning. Even during a depression, people will still need heating and cooling.”

I can’t confirm it, but I’m pretty sure a light bulb went off right above noggin’.

He was serving up opportunity on a silver platter. So I took it and never looked back.

It was an adventure. I was a sponge soaking up every ounce of wisdom Mr. Lukens poured into me.

He taught me so much about the tools of the trade and how to be an HVAC technician.

But while Mr. Lukens was the one talking, I know it was my father who was still teaching me. I had the same feeling of satisfaction in my heart from a job well done. That came from him.

So what makes a great worker?

I guess my definition of a great worker is someone who’s dedicated to the job and does it to the best of his or her ability.

Enthusiastic. Thorough. A stickler for details. Always busy. Never complaining.

Someone who sees work as an adventure… with a “Let’s get it done” attitude.

Work is important. Because it’s a reflection of the real you.

Just as people recognize Van Gogh’s paintings from his distinct style, others will recognize your handiwork because you left your mark.

Work is an expression of life. Your life. Who you really are.

So… do it well.

Have a great Labor Day.

Thanks for readin’…

Francis Pass

P.S. – Whoever coined the phrase, “Get an education so you don’t have to work so hard” never met my father.