努力與決心的美德
By Rick Boxx
若有人問你什麼是成功的主要因素，你的答案是什麼？
這是肯特．韓福瑞想知道的事，他是一位公司主管的顧問。工商專業界每個人都想要成功，但對許多人而言，成功似乎遙不可及。所以，他們缺少的關鍵成份到底是什麼？
在韓福瑞的「寫給職場領袖的信」一書中，他引述一項調查結果。在調查中人們被問道：「在你所遇過的成功人士中，他們成功的主要原因是什麼？」兩個最多的答案是：努力與決心。
努力是最普遍的答案，調查中有40%的人都這麼回答。決心佔第二位，38%的受訪者如此回覆。有趣的是這兩項竟然遠超過其他可能的成功因素，例如知識、運氣和有影響力的人際關係。
若有名的美國發明家愛迪生也參與這項調查，他很可能也同意這兩項因素。他曾經提出這項有關成功的有趣觀察：「大多數人錯過了機會，因為機會穿著工作服，而且看起來就像工作。」
我們的這個世代中，似乎有許多人不願費力氣──努力與決心──去成功，但卻想知道為何別人能成為卓越，而自己卻不能。他們認為自己「有權利得到」而不是有責任去賺取他們想要的：身份、升遷、影響力和財物上的報酬。
然而，認識到努力與決心的重要性並非新事。事實上，在幾千年前就寫下的聖經談到許多有關這兩方面的事。例如在舊約箴言中，我們就可找到許多經文論及努力與決心的美德和益處：
「耕種自己田地的，必得飽食；追隨虛浮的，卻是無知」（箴言12章11節）。
「殷勤人的手必掌權；懶惰的人必服苦」（箴言12章24節）。
「勞力人的胃口使他勞力，因為他的口腹催逼他」（箴言16章26節）。
「殷勤籌劃的，足致豐裕；行事急躁的，都必缺乏」（箴言21章5節）。
新約也談到努力與決心的結合。使徒雅各了解這一點，所以寫道：「忍受試探的人是有福的，因為他經過試驗以後，必得生命的冠冕；這是主應許給那些愛他之人的」（雅各書1章12節）。
在努力與決心中加上堅忍就是勝利的公式。若你在職場中面臨考驗、艱鉅的挑戰，請記住，除了努力與決心，沒有別的要素能幫你勝過。
本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自「瑞克．博克思的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx」。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。想要更多了解正直資源中心或想要收到電子文件的「瑞克每天的正直時刻Rick”s daily Integrity Moments」系列文章，請上網www.integrityresource.org。他的書「如何生意興隆而不犧牲正直」提供人們正直地作生意的方法。
省思 / 討論題目
想出一些你認識的成功人士。你認為什麼原因造成他們的成功？ 你可否想到有人或團隊，不論在工商專業界或其他領域，不需努力與決心就達到真正的成功？ 依照你的看法，是否有人討厭努力，認為自己有權利得到成功，以及隨成功而來的一切好處，不願費成功所需要的力氣？請解釋。 雅各書說，一個人若能忍受試探是有福的，他將從上帝那裡得到「生命的冠冕」。這對你有何意義？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言10章4節，13章4節，14章23節，18章9節，20章4節；路加福音14章28-30節；羅馬書5章3-5節；雅各書1章2-4節
VIRTUES OF HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION
By Rick Boxx
If someone were to ask you what is the primary factor for achieving success, what would be your answer?
That was a question Kent Humphreys, a consultant to corporate executives, wondered about. Everyone in the business and professional world desires to attain success, but for many individuals, success seems just beyond their reach. So what are the key ingredients for success they might be lacking?
In his book, Letters to Workplace Leaders, Humphreys cites a survey in which people were asked, "Of the successful people that you have met, which of the following is the main reason for their success?" Two answers were selected far above all of the others: hard work and determination.
Hard work was the most common answer, chosen by 40 percent of the people surveyed. But determination was a close second, cited by 38 percent of those responding to the question. It was interesting that these far surpassed other possible success factors, such as knowledge, luck or good fortune, and influential contacts.
If he had been included in this study, noted American inventor Thomas Edison most likely would have agreed. He once offered this intriguing observation that relates to success: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
We live in an age when it seems many people do not want to exert the necessary effort – hard work and determination – to succeed, and then wonder why others manage to excel while they do not. They regard themselves as “entitled,” rather than being responsible for earning those things they desire: status, career advancement, influence, monetary and material rewards.
Recognizing the importance of hard work and determination, however, is not new. In fact, the Bible – written thousands of years ago – speaks extensively about both. In the Old Testament”s book of Proverbs, for example, we find numerous statements about the virtues and benefits of hard work and determined effort:
“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment” (Proverbs 12:11)
“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” (Proverbs 12:24).
“The laborer”s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on” (Proverbs 16:26).
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).
This link between hard work and determination is also addressed in the New Testament. The apostle James understood this when he wrote, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).
Perseverance blends hard work and determination into a winning formula. If you find yourself facing a trial in your workplace, a formidable challenge, remember there is no substitute for hard work and determination.
Copyright 2012, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org. His book, How to Prosper in Business Without Sacrificing Integrity, gives a biblical approach for doing business with integrity.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Think of some successful people that you know personally. To what would you attribute their success? Can you think of examples of individuals or even teams, whether in the business and professional world or elsewhere, that have managed to achieve true successes without hard work and determination? In your opinion, does it seem some individuals are almost “allergic” to hard work, choosing instead to adopt an attitude that they are entitled to experience success and all that comes with it – without exerting the necessary effort? Explain your answer. The passage from the book of James states a person that perseveres through trials is blessed, and will receive “the crown of life” from God. What does this mean to you?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 10:4, 13:4, 14:23, 18:9, 20:4; Luke 14:28-30, Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4
