A Good Work Ethic
Jonathan Klemens, author of “The Protestant Work Ethic: Just Another “Urban Legend?”, argues that a strong work ethic is a great trait to own, and that we should take pride in. He states how he sees everyone now a day passionate towards their jobs and always ready to clock in. He also mentions how hard-work is symbolized in societies; Amish, Mennonites, and other religious groups who encourage a ‘simple life filled with hard-work and spirituality.’ Klemens labeled Max Weber as the root to good work ethics being so popular and valued, and ties him and the Protestants as the root for the good work ethic idea as well. He also states how free labor force has given private company owners such a powerful force in our society that our economy has grown so much and created so much competition that we have become the most successful nation on Earth. Klemens’s broad definition of the American work ethics consist of traits; dedication, hard-work, honesty, moral ethics, and rationalization. He believes that strong work ethics that are identified by those who have found work or an occupation that offers society both a helping hand and a self-peace of mind. With that being said, I partially agree with Klemens’s argument that a work ethic is “firmly entrenched as a powerful and valued American social trait.”
A strong work ethic must include three big traits that will help give outcomes that are wanted in whatever calling one chooses to follow. The first trait one should have should be “hard-working”, which is a great deal or amount of effort and endurance. Effort is big when working hard because it shows you want to do whatever you are doing for a reason, and endurance will prove that one can put up with the amount of effort they are putting in for a while not just temporary. The second trait should be honesty. Honesty is the quality of being free from untruthfulness or lies to him/her-self. Being honest is a good trait for a strong work ethic because it will keep you from slacking off or making excuses on why you do not want to do something efficiently. The third trait to a good work ethic should be determination, which is the strength of character or the process of establishing something exactly. Klemens did not specifically mention determination but with a few of the traits he mentions they pretty much sum up determination when working towards a strong work ethic. Throughout my summer break of last year, I was working full-time as a warehouse associate. It was neither the easiest nor the best paid job for me, but it offered a lot of hours including overtime. After a month or so I was so annoyed of it that I would think of quitting. However, I realized that I needed that income so I told myself to finish through strong and efficiently. I determined myself to clock in and clock out with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm every day till I returned to being a full-time student. It was not that I was just determined, but I was a...