What is Thoroughness?
To many, "thoroughness conjures up visions of someone who is overbearing and demands perfection of himself and others. This is not necessarily the case. Unfortunately, as humans we never attain total perfection, but being thorough in all aspects of life will save time, money, relationships and frazzled nerves in the long run. Og Mandino, a noted American essayist and psychologist (1923-1996) is quoted as saying, "One of the great undiscovered joys of life comes from doing everything one attempts to the best of one's ability. There is a special sense of satisfaction, a pride in surveying such a work,-- a work which is rounded, full, exact, and complete in its parts, which the superficial person who leaves his or her work in a slovenly, slipshod, half-finished condition, can never know. It is the conscientious completeness which turns any work into art. The smallest task, well done, becomes a miracle of achievement." Planning should be an important part of anyone in the workplace, no matter what their position. Thoroughly understanding what is needed and devising a plan for accomplishing those tasks, saves wasted effort, time and misunderstanding, particularly if one is involved with other employees on a project. A lack of thoroughness and sloppy work could mean the loss of employment. Many overlook the fact that chores or tasks in the home should be treated like those in the business world. Household duties can be overwhelming if they are neglected or ignored. Things tend to pile up, time is wasted, and frustrations mount. Here again, planning and doing the chore right the first time makes it easier to get things done. Be thorough and realistic in how much time you allot to large tasks, such as organizing files or cleaning the carpet. Don't try to do everything at one time. |
