There's a magnet up in my office with a quotation commonly attributed to President Abraham Lincoln that reads, "Whatever you are, be a good one." One of our former critical care fellows gave it to me when she graduated from her fellowship, and I have kept it to this day. As a matter of fact, my wife told me something very similar during a conversation this past week. No matter what job you are doing, you should always, always focus on doing the absolute best job that you can do, and if you do, opportunities will come.
When you think about it, it really is quite simple. It's advice that I have given to others over the years, and it's advice that I sometimes need to hear as well. Don't worry about your next promotion, your next job, or what roles you can play in the future. Focus on the job at hand. Concentrate on the here and now. And always, always do your best.
If you give 100% of your effort to something and success follows - great! If you give 100% of your effort and you don't get that next job offer, that next promotion, or that next great opportunity, that's great too. At least you worked hard and did your best. In the end, that is all that really matters, isn't it? We will be measured, ultimately, by how hard we work and by how much passion, enthusiasm, and energy we bring to the job. So, "whatever you are, be a good one."
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