IT’S HUMAN

Natural: The Reason We Are The Way We Are

Hedonism: the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life
Egoistic Hedonism: the ethical theory that achieving one's own happiness is the proper goal of all conduct

It is our basic instinct to “live for the day.” Perhaps it goes back to times when humans spent their days foraging and surviving. There were no guarantees that tomorrow would be any easier. This approach to life in the US probably ended after World War II but unfortunately still exits today throughout the world.
People are hedonistic and this attitude is natural. It is not natural to focus our brains on any thing but our daily living and entertainment needs. As a manger or teacher, you must be sensitive to the idea that “work ethic” is a daily struggle with all those around you. Hence, it is unnatural for people to “buckle down” at school or put their “nose to the grindstone” at work. To be disciplined takes energy.
That’s why it is so easy for people to watch too much TV, explore the Internet, play video games and indulge in social outlets such as bar hopping, movies and other fun stuff. People are social beings, living for the day and who want to be liked. It seems like it is always the isolated teens who go on a rampage against their classmates and teachers.
It is our nature to be self-centered. Observe an “only child” and watch how the world revolves around their being. As we grow older and can afford “toys” for our enjoyment, we can see how this self-centering matures. For example, men love to brag about their trucks or their golf game.
Mangers and teachers need to find the compromise to gain the kind of productivity or outcomes they are seeking. Students and workers go to school or work for the social aspects of the environment. At school social contacts are obvious; for work, consider office romances.
There are no easy solutions to this dilemma of how much social freedom to offer to your students or workers. If it is natural to “goof off,” how much time is appropriate? Is social time a reward for good outcomes at school or work? How tightly defined are your objectives that give people the guidelines for when the work is done and they can relax? Remember, it takes energy to remain disciplined and fight the urge to be natural.
Good leaders provide boundaries and goals. This allows students and workers to “zig-zag” through the routines of achieving the objective without going “off-course.” There’s enough physical evidence from the world of sports and physical training that shows hard work followed by relaxation or “downtime” produces greater results the next time during competition.
So teachers, leaders and managers, brighten up a little bit. Show your appreciative side with a smile, a thank-you and some empathy that life is demanding.
It could be a lot worse. We could be living in a country where people wonder if there is another meal tomorrow.

GROWTH <> LEADERSHIP <> EXCELLENCE