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Is work a four-letter word? It certainly has four letters. And for many of us (present author not included) work does carry with it all the baggage of the traditional reference to four letter words, specifically profanity. Many people are in jobs they do not find value in.
I recently heard the former CEO of Baxter say he no longer
uses the phrase work-life balance. “If you aren’t living at work, you have a
big problem.” He now uses the phrase life balance. It’s all part of life.
I have been reflecting recently about what words we use with
our students at school when helping them re-engage in an activity that they
have already chosen or helping them to latch on to something new. And I have
decided that work is not always the word I want to use. Instead, I have
suggested to our staff that we start considering asking our students either
what they would like to learn or how they would like to make a contribution (or
help the class). I think that both of these expressions are far closer to the
experience that our students can relate to and be inspired by.
What words to you use at home? Do you ask your child how he
would like to help? What he would like to improve? What he would like to make
more beautiful? If he would like to persevere a little longer on a challenge
with which he is asking help?
I think these words matter. They are one of the places that
we can impart our values to our children. It is subtle, but it is the language
that we use with our children that will contribute to the construction of their
character.
