In a previous article, captioned the purpose of work, it was stated that work is a gift and not a burden. You are either giving value and/or earning value which could be monetary or in kind. Work is a process and creates room for development of your talents and intellect depending on the kind of work you do. In going through the process, it could be tasking to your mind or physical body, but the output can be rewarding and satisfying. For instance, a student undergoing training has a work of reading, attending lectures, researching etc. Reading is work, it puts your mind to use to analyze concepts, understand the subject matter and broaden your horizon. As a student, reading and studying diligently is your work, don’t treat it less. You will be better equipped and vast in knowledge if you are given to reading. A person working in a formal setting earning through legitimate means is working, a trader doing petty trade is working just like the one working multinational firm. The contractor is working likewise the bricklayer, newspaper vendor, artisans, cleaners, messengers etc. Whatever work you do legitimately to earn without cutting corners or defrauding others is work, do it diligently and purposefully.
WHAT IS THE SHORT-CUT
It is a faster way of doing something/getting somewhere than the standard or normal way. It is a method or means that bypass necessary work with the aim of obtaining the value you should get from work. Short-cut approach prevents you from working or make you see work as a burden/difficult task. Consequently, you embrace the easy way out as an alternative to circumvent work and yet choose to reap the benefits that should be derived from work.
There is a purpose for work and that is why you should work when necessary and assiduously without cutting corners. When you work, you are either giving value or developing yourself, your mind, skill, intellect, etc. God told Adam to keep and till the garden (work). To carry out such work successfully, you will likely engage your mind; use your hands, tools or a combination of both to keep an organized and beautiful garden. Nothing good just happens, it is the input of work that produces the good things. The effect of good work is appealing and desirable and can include a flourishing business, a good article, a beautiful home, a great art piece, an excellent brand, delicious meal etc. These are the fruits of diligent work, and its okay to desire them. However, don’t despise the seed (work) that produced the harvest. Engage your work creatively and smartly as the result of your work will show the quality you put into it.
SOME FORMS OF SHORT-CUT
PLAGIARISM: In plagiarism, you copy other people’s work or resources and use them as your own without giving credit to them. The short-cut approach will prevent you from working (researching/or doing the work), but get credit and/plaudit from the work of others that you masquerade as your own. Your ingenuity is buried when you fail to do your work and adopt other people’s work. Short-cut absolves you from the responsibility of work and the benefit derived from the process of work which can include self growth and development.
EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE. The purpose of reading is beyond passing an examination. When you read, you gain knowledge and expertise on the subject matter; it is the route out of ignorance. It engages your mind and intellect and you become better equipped. Short-cut says you can make good grades without studying or reading. It explores the alternative route with demeaning values such as examination malpractice, bribing/paying for grades etc. if you get the grades without working; it stays as grades, no value added to your person.
BRIBERY: The short-cut approach makes you undermine standard or normal procedures in getting things done. You will rather pay cash or give some kind of offer that may not be monetary, not because you are paying someone to work for you, but because you are cutting corners to get the desired result faster. People bribe when they are not qualified or when they are induced to do so.
THE SHORT-CUT TO WEALTH
The short-cut approach makes money making faster and easier through dubious and heinous means. The short cut does not uphold values of diligence, schooling, perseverance, service etc. It manifests in amassing quick wealth through diabolic means, internet fraud, armed robbery/stealing, drug pushing, trafficking, embezzlement of public funds, prostitution etc.
PITFALL OF THE SHORT-CUT APPROACH
The short-cut looks easy and promising but is not without pitfalls. On the surface, it looks you can get away with it and keep covering your tracks. However, whatever a man sows, the same he will reap. The short-cut approach gives room for laziness, can be fueled by perpetual procrastination and will deny you the value, growth, productivity and development that is derived from work.
Thank you for reading!
