Love the Work and the Work Gets Better

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” – Aristotle

At first, I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at that quote. Sure, Aristotle, easy for you to say. Did you ever have to crank out expense reports on a Friday afternoon?

But the more I’ve lived, led, and observed people at work, the more I realize: the man was right.

Think about the people who love what they do. I mean really love it. The barista who knows your name and your order. The teacher who lights up explaining a math problem. The CEO who walks the halls with a genuine smile. There’s something magnetic about them—and it’s not just their attitude. They’re usually great at what they do.

That’s not luck. That’s a pattern.

The people who enjoy their work don’t just clock in and out, they show up differently. They’re sharper. More focused. More resilient. Not because someone’s watching, but because they want to be better. Excellence doesn’t start when you get your dream job, but with showing up with purpose.

Let’s be honest: no job is 100% joy. Every role has its share of boring, frustrating, grind-it-out moments. If someone told you when you find your passion, you’ll love every second of your job, they lied to you. That’s just wrong.

However, when you approach work with the right mindset, you begin to cultivate a love for what you’re doing.

Joy doesn’t always come first. Sometimes it shows up after you commit. After you push through. After you choose to lean in. The result? Your work product gets better as well.

Want to be that kind of leader? That kind of teammate? That kind of professional? Start here:

1. Be grateful. Remind yourself that your work is a privilege, not a burden. Gratitude shifts perspective, and perspective shifts performance.
   
   
2. Find the purpose. Help your team (and yourself) see the “why” behind the “what.” Even the mundane has meaning when you connect it to something bigger.
   
   
3. Celebrate progress. Perfection may be rare—but growth and progress are possible. Acknowledge how far you’ve come. It fuels momentum and builds joy.

Aristotle wasn’t just waxing poetic, he was telling the truth. When you care, the work improves. When you enjoy the process, excellence becomes possible.

So whatever’s on your plate today, whether you’re leading a team, launching a product, or just wading through spreadsheets, don’t wait for joy to show up. Bring it with you.

Progress will follow passion.

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