Sacrifice is not a new phenomenon in life. It is as broad as life itself. This essay aims to synthesize self-sacrifice in the formal or informal workspace and bring the consciousness of its relevance for a rewarding life. Self-sacrifice is the sacrifice made at work (not minding the potential cost to self) to advance the goal of an organisation, a workgroup, or even colleagues in a work environment.
Sacrifice at work means many things to many people, and it takes different shapes depending on the environment and the demands of the work. There are sacrifices expected of an employee and that expected of an employer. Either way, each party is expected to exhibit some behaviours that exceed direct self Interest to consider the interest of others as well as the organisation and to do the extra to achieve that.
The value of giving extra hours at work is not something I have observed but have also witnessed. It’s an admirable and necessary attitude. My boss years back was an ‘extra boss’. He took up extra responsibilities by way of extra hours at work. He was coming first at the office, leaving last, coming to work alone on saturdays and sometimes on sundays. He was living the example of dedication and commitment, which made it easy for his staff to learn diligence. The results of this were very evident in his career and business life. I’ve also witnessed colleagues whose doors of promotions were opened through their sacrifice of extra time and work.
Extra hours at work is a conscious choice, whether as an employer or an employee. Society is designed to reward those who have made the sacrifices of extra time at any level. Even at the family level, those children who do the extra chores and sacrifice a lot to help their parents are usually their parents’ favourites and most blessed.
Employees who come to work early, those who offer to work longer, those who give up some extra sleep to attend to duty calls, or their comfort or pleasure for work related chase, those who volunteer to cover their colleagues absentism, or help their colleagues cover some lapses at work, those who guide their colleagues or help them attain a particular height…are the true examples of the topic of this essay.
It is no longer news that greatness requires sacrifices. To be productive and efficient requires extra time. The superficial need for speed and breakthrough is only achievable with the sacrifice of extra time, extra effort, extra sacrifice, and extra prayer. You must do the extra and go beyond the ordinary. You will hardly make a change if you’re unwilling to do the extra and sometimes the unusual. To expect an exceptional result, you must be able to go above and beyond and do the extra of what the majority of people are unwilling to do.
Are you on the table of the employees who come late, who take undue excuses, who dodge tasks, who hate risks, who apportion blames, who dismiss extra tasks, who literally count days of the month, interested only in month end pay? Does your name come to mind when additional tasks need to be taken or extra hours need to be covered? What do you give up for the success of your work? Do you take responsibility for your actions? How do you handle work pressure that comes with extra time? How do you take official calls when you’re not at work? Can you give up material comfort for the sake of your work? How do you handle a looming deadline or extra workload? Do you bask in the glow of others’ accolades, or do you commit to the needed extras? These and many are examples of the extras at work.
The sacrifice of the extra pays. The world will eventually discover you if you’re truly diligent and have made the sacrifices of extra hours. Extra hours are meant to be paid for, but some are to be sacrificed. Availability of time is the most important thing you can give to your employer. Late coming and inordinate excuses are the easiest way to know a lack of commitment and lackadaisical attitude.
However, as you create the extra time for your work, ensure you put a limit on how much you sacrifice and maintain a balance in the sacrifice for other important things in life. It is noteworthy to do those extras at a stable pace and give your best, not your all.
Amara Ann Unachukwu.
